Sur Kadero: An Example of the Eternal Vow

of Imam Hussain (RA)

Dr. Zain-ul-Abdin Sodhar
Prof. Dr. Abdul Ghani Shaikh
Khair-un-Nisa

Abstract
Sur Kadero is indeed a battle song, sung by different poets of world to eulogies the great
sacrifice rendered by grandson of prophet, when Imam Hussain was leaving for Karballa, he
summoned the shura of the companions of the prophet, which overwhelmingly endorsed the
great Imam to postpone the expedition to Karballa. Perceiving it as Almighty’s call, Imam
Hussain accompanying his immediate family set to leave Madina and proceed to Karballa
for great sacrifice. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, the great mystic poet of world, took the tragedy
of Karballa from its broader perspective. He terms the sacrifice of Karballa as continuation
of the sacrifice initiated by Ibrahim Khalilullah. To Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Karballa
exhibited the nerves of patience, courage, forbearance and valor of Imam Hussain. It has
vindicated his approach of submission to the will of Allah to oppose despotism and
demagagogus style of ruling. To world Imam Hussain is tower of facing despotism and
highlighting democracy and rule of law as ordained by God Almighty through His prophets
and Holy Quran. Hussain is symbol of right and a doctrine to wage all possible efforts
against dictatorial rule. Hussain championed human rights and upheld democratic norms in
the annals of universe for all times. The enlightened world can adopt Hussain as worthy
example of human dignity, freedom of speech, system of accountability as binding factors of
the rule of law and genuine Governance in world.

Keywords: Karballa, Ahayal-bayat, Hur, Khalifat-u-Allah, Firdus, Makkah.

Introduction
Human history has such rare vows which has changed the destiny of universe as done by
Imam Hussain. Imam Hussain has justified his triumph at Karballa not by mere sacrificing
his life but he displayed the characteristic role of patience, valor, self – abnegation and
piousness which has earlier been seen in the patience of Prophet Ayoub, prophet Ithamil and
Prophet Younis. The March of Imam Hussain to Karballa was never to seek any worldly
emolument (as being portrayed by some sections in society) but is the continuation of the
series of sacrifices which initiated from Badar, Uhad and during the whole duration of the
prophet hood of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
Human life with its origin has come in front of two intersection of good and evil.
Each of the road given due power to travel on with its speed, power, and the capacities to
understand the up- coming bumpies, barricade and obstacles with a novel bounty of human
mind commonly known as brain. It is that worthy part of human body which has all
governing power over human sensation both interior and exterior. It controls both inner and
peripheral elements and forces contiguous to human being throughout his life. It is indeed the
force which guides human being on adoption of the way of life, its patina, darkness and
whatever comes before him in his stream of consciousness. That’s why God Almighty has
declared human being as superior among all creatures (Ashraf-ul makhalookat).
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 Al-Quran very clearly has referred the Will of the Lord for the creation of this
universe:
“And when thy lord Said unto the angels
Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth
They said: wilt thou place therein and will shed blood
While we hymn Thy praise and sanctify thee
He said surely I know that which ye know not”

The other creatures except Human have been made sub-ordinate to him because the
sphere of their power has been made limited in one or other way. Lion, elephants, mighty
sharks and other gigantic creature are far ahead in potent and power of human being but the
wealth of perception has upped human dignity among all the creatures. Human being has
been made governor to all, as ordained by the creator of the universe, human being too have
been decorated with another noble title of the Khalifatullah (viceroy of God) on the earth to
implement and broaden the message of God in the annals of the universe. So rewards and
awards on human being by their Creator have no limits and bounds.
Moulana Moudadi in his treatise “towards understanding Islam” writes that the sole
cause of the creation of orderly universe for human being is to contemplate His majesty,
power and being the supreme lord of the universe, its being originator, operator and sustainer
of the universe without slightest off difference and any kind of modification in it, its
uniformity from the day of its existence till its reckoning will continue as it is.
Each element persisting in it witnesses His power and prestige, munificence,
magnanimity and omnipotence. The sun rises and sets in its time, moon never become late in
its lighting, rotation of Seasons, crops abide His majesty. Gusty winds, tides, volcanoes,
wood, water. Sand, hills, from mighty sharks to the minute oyster, each exhibit His authority
and power. Only order of the universe if could be properly analyzed, His majestic Power and
lordship is evident and glowing for all”.

Allah Says in Holy Quran:

Lo! In creation of heaven and earth and difference of day and night
And the ships which run upon the sea,
With that which is of use to me, And the water which Allah Sendeth down
from sky, thereby reviving the earth, After its death, and dispersing all kinds
of beasts therein, and (in) the ordinance
Of winds and the clouds obedient between heaven and earth: are signs (of
Allah’s sovereignty) for people who have sense

The last line of the verse categorizes particularly the people having sense to see and
understand His majesty, power and lordship. When such a gorgeous universe is created for
human being and all its governance has also been allocated to him, the lord never ends here,
another auspicious title of viceroy by which the Lord of universe decorated him as Khalifa
(viceroy) on the earth. Prophets, pious human being and each individual taken birth in the
universe is directly His viceroy to implement His message and doctrine.
A series of Prophets from Adam to Muhammad (PBUH) were created and revealed
upon them, the Holy Scriptures and lastly a complete book with the title of Holy Quran as
complete code of life enjoining all the previous scriptures revealed upon Moses, Jacob,
David, Abraham, Ithamil, Ithaq and Jusses. The teaching of all these scriptures was merged
in Holy Quran and was made the eternal canon for all people and for all times. These
scriptures and the Holy book are manifestation of the pleasure of lord to guide His creatures
to guide them in context of the purity of life and it’s living as per His connotation.
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 When the universe was created, the originality of human being was initiated from
paradise. Adam and Eve were the first human beings created with divine command and there
started the concept of universe. The panorama of universe also started its operations with
Adam tasting the forbidden fruit and showdown between Habeel and Kabeel, sons of Prophet
Adam and prophetess Eve were the starting characters of this unceasing drama which is
continuously going on and will go on till the Day of Judgment is reckoned.
Both these forces of good and evil will simultaneously go on, having same division of
opinion, understanding and acceptability of the concept of life. God Almighty had eased
everything for human being to solace their living in the universe with the creation of the
Prophets, revelation of Holy Scriptures, Holy Quran, and birth of pious and noble creatures
to guide the misguided on the right path. It is indeed a fact which cannot be diminishing at
any cost that is free human will either of positive or negative aspects will always remain at
cross roads. Psychologically or naturally it cannot be merged into one single either positive
or negative. Had it been ordained so, then God Almighty wouldn’t give Satan such a state of
freedom, power and accessibility to human instinctive mind called Nafas. Satan though the
architect and operator evil enjoys complete freedom of his acts. At the same time God
Almighty warns human being to restrain themselves from the deception of Satan.
The institution of prophet hood, caliphate and Imamyat were created by God
Almighty as source of guidance for human being, they not only were the source of guidance
for the human being but were also role model for their purity, humbleness, abnegation and
state of sacrifice in the way of their lord, Jihad is a term which denotes human sacrifice in the
way of their lord. God Almighty has had made it obligatory on all to exert each and every
effort, material possession they possess should sacrifice in the way of their lord.
Surah Nisa of Holy Quran has very comprehensively discussed the term Jihad and its
importance. From Ayah # 70 to 78 of Surah, the creator of universe thoroughly discusses the
importance of jihad in the life of a true Muslim. Allah Says:

O ye who believe! Take your precautions

Then move on as separate units or advance all together

In another place God says

Let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell the life of the world for the sake
Of the life hereafter, and whoso, fighteth in the way of Allah, be, he slain or
Be victorious on him we shall bestow vast rewards

To enter in Jihad is to be victorious either slays or alive is bound to come under the
shower of His bounty and mercy. This is the philosophy which Shah Abdul latif Bhittai, the
great poet of world has discussed with its numerous aspects’ in Sur Kadero.
Kadero is basically a Sanskrit term which means battlefield. Shah Sain through this
Sur has narrated the Jihad, which grand Son of the prophet of Islam Hazrat Imam Husain
(RA), Son of third Caliph Hazrat Ali and Bibi Fatima did in the battlefield of Karbala. It was
indeed the continuity of the tradition of the prophets, which they did for the supremacy of
Islam. Because Islam from its conversion into Al- Islam has underwent a trialed period.
Prophets the essential source of its propagation had underwent testing times to authenticate
their fidelity with their lord. The history of prophets and noble people witness to the fact that
God Almighty put His beloved in severe testing moments in their lives but as they all were
truly selected by their lord therefore proved worthy to the examination or the test.
Noah was made to leave his son out of boat because he was a misguided one; He
didn’t accept the religion his father has preached, at the same time the love of father never
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restrained him before the love lord and Noah without pondering left son and remaining
members of family to sink. Moses and Aaron never dashed from the power and cruelty of
Pharaoh, Jacob was tested with the separation of Joseph, Abraham was commanded to
slaughter Ithamil the beloved one, Ayoub was put in sinister disease, Younis was put in the
belly of fish, Christ was tested to face the rage of Jews, Muhammad (SAW) was put before
merciless Quriessh of Makah to disseminate the message of one lord.
All Prophets from Adam to Muhammad dignifiedly succumbed to the Will of their
lord and faced the inhuman persecutions and torments. After the finality of prophet hood,
Hazrat Muhammad was the last of the chain of prophets of Allah and seal to the office of
prophet hood, the task of his mission was taken by his pious companions and his grand
children. To my meager approach, like prophet-hood, Imamyat is another title enshrine by
Allah for Hasanian, the beloved sons of Fatima because both the beloved sons of Ali and
Fatima were pre- determined as the leader of youth in paradise (Hadees).
Kadero is basically elegy poetry but Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai went far ahead to
discuss the unimaginative secrets in it. To Shah Sain, it was pre- destined for the Sons of
Fatima to be tested as Ibrahim was tested in fire, Ithamil was slaughtered or their grandfather
- the prophet of universe had to face the agonies in twenty three years span of prophet-hood.
The standard of Islam was allocated in the hand of Muhammad and was hoisted with
martyrdom at karkalla in the hand of his beloved grandson, whom he loved utmost. Those
limiting Karbala incident as rivalry between two groups are probably unaware of the
philosophy of testing the beloveds by their lord. This was all what Shah Abdul latif Bhittai
has understood, talked, disseminated and urged to understand.
Getting favorites slain: He gets beloved killed
Selects good Khalils: to endure adversity
Eternal sovereign Allah: does what he wills
Some profound secret: lies in His wisdom

Shah Sain has used terms Khalils. Khalil is Arabic word which means friend. It was
that great title which God Almighty has bestowed to His beloved prophet Ibrahim. Khalil is
that supreme category which has only been entitled to the one who maximally sought the
pleasure of Allah. Ibrahim succeeded in many of the thick and thin tests. He was put into fire,
when commanded to sacrifice his son Ismail, he never went an inch back, came up with full
resolution and slaughtered Ismail. He was the prophet, who sought highest position of respect
from his lord.
Shah Sain brings Hussain (R.A) in the same category of beloveds of God that’s why
using term “Khalils”. But at the same time too says that no matter how beloved and dear they
might not be but the absolute power of his majesty is unchallengeable. He can do whatever
he likes. It is His prerogative but profound secret for the man of understanding to explore the
secrets of acumen is hidden in it.
Adversity of martyrdom: is monsoon melody
Yazd has no clue: it reflects devotion
Imams pledged to martyrdom: since infinity.

Karbala was no doubt the incident, whose melancholy songs were sung by the angels in the
heaven. Its pain was seen in the eyes of human and animals alike. Hills, trees, oceans and
each biological element mourned on it because, it had stringed the beloveds of Muhammad,
Fatima and Ali and the Muslims all over the universe. Husain was one for who Muhammad
(SAW) had said:
“Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain”
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 The dignity of Hussain and the (Ahal-bayat) House of Muhammad (SAW) is better
known to God himself. No human being can map it up or evaluate. To Shah Abdul latif
Bhittai, discussing or singing Karbala is monsoon melody for him. Not only his eyes but his
heart and each part of body equally showers tears on it. It’s reminisce is painful, its feelings
are grim and dour because it involved the beloveds of Muhammad (SAW).
Shah Sain at the same comes out from its obvious stun to its broad aspect. To him it
was not the war between Hussain and Yazid; it was a war between two philosophies,
theologies and two different schools of thoughts. One was a true seeker of God and another
was groped with worldly lust, conceit and luxuries of life.
Hussain represents Islam and theology of Prophets from Adam to Muhammad while
Yazid is lust mongering personality. World and its pomp including government and its
luxuries were his essential motto of his life and source of pleasure for him. He never knew
how such a state of life was shattered by Muhammad, Abu Bakar, Umar, Othman and Ali. He
can never be categorized among seekers. He is Muslim by virtue of his pedigree as number
of people became Muslim after the fall of Mecca.
The comparative analysis offers no space to discuss Hussain and Yazid, Hussain was
a born devotee of God and His prophet. Hussain was brought up in the hands of Muhammad,
Ali and Fatima; Hussain attained education and trained by prophet himself. Hussain had the
tutelage of house of prophet, so such born martyr, yes I write the term born martyr in sense
because the prophet of Allah has full intimation of the fact, which he shared with Hazrat
Muwayia. Hearing this Hazrat Muwayia refused to marry but same he married on the order
of prophet. Shah Sain opens that secret in the last line of the verse that Imam pledged
martyrdom since infinity. Yes it was decided on the day when soul was put in the figurine of
Adam
Adversity of martyrdom: is a wedding feast
Yazid had no clue: it echoed absolute ardor
Rain of love showered: on the scions of Ali

Shah Sain terms the painful incident of Karbala as wedding feast for the family of
Hussain. Sure it was and Hussain celebrated it in the plain of Karbala when he knotted Imam
Qasim on the plain of Karbala. Hussain was thoroughly well versed of the crisis going on. He
was well acquainted of his destiny, which his family was destined to meet. It wasn’t a
moment of long awaited desire of martyrdom for him and his family because before him,
Umar, Othman, Ali and Hassan too drunk the bowl of martyrdom. Hassan may be mentioned
was poisoned and his departure was not natural one therefore comes in the category of
martyrdom.
Hussain was not a simple man. He was brought up in the true spirit of a genuine
seeker of God Almighty. He was taught the difference between good and evil. He was taught
how to accept goodness and how to challenge evil. From evil I mean, what is against Islam,
what is against nature and more importantly human nature?
This is the basis of genuine human nature to accept truth and reality and scorn
mendacity. It never occupies personal feud, rancor and hatred but it’s against the state which
is against nature therefore can simply be called unnatural. Hussain was therefore opposed to
artificiality and artificial edifice which Yazd has erected to save him and his rule.
As discussed, the philosophy of crossroads was basically a dual between party of true
seekers and the misguided ones. Islam is the philosophy of true seekers and anti Islamic
forces was having anti thesis of Islam. So it has been proved that what Hussain did was the
continuation of the tradition of Adam, Ibrahim, Moses, Jusses, Muhammad (PBUH) and
what Yazd did or tried to act, was the continuation of Pharaoh, Azar and Abu lahab. Imam
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Hussain as Shah Sain has said has accepted the reward of martyrdom, right from the day of
be and it became (Kunf Yakoon)
Tragedy of Karbala: is monsoon melody
Riddle having roots: in divine mystery
Sovereign master: tests His own favorites.

The central line of the verse calls upon all the man of prude to explore those of the
vistas clandestinely placed in the tragedy of Karbala. To my frail knowledge, God Almighty
always examined his beloved ones, their resoluteness, patience, courage, forbearance and
most importantly submission to the will of Allah.
System and style of testing each had been seen having differences. Noah was placed
before his son and immediate family. Almighty wanted to test his beloved prophet, if he is
not inclined to his dear and near one comparative to His lordship. Noah Succeeded and left
all of them to be wrecked in flood and took the believers in boat, Simple and Poor Moses and
Arron were made to stand before all powerful Pharaoh, to test that how resolute they are in
facing the mighty power. It was the test of their nerves. Which both brothers successfully
crossed. So to say, behind every test there was a logical reasoning or rationale.
Othman, the third caliph of Islam was wealthiest person of Arabia. When prophet
declared that each having anything either in cash or kind should deposit it in the Baitul Mal
(public treasury) Othman, Abu Bakar and Umar placed all their wealth in public treasury.
When the prophet of Islam enquired from them about leaving any possession at home, they
replied the name of lord and his prophet.
The period with the start of Adam till the revelation of prophet hood on Muhammad
(SAW) is Islam. As God was pleased with Muhammad and his companion, He honored their
sacrifices showered His bounties on them by completing Islam as religion into Al Islam.
Each and every act attained permanency till the Day of Judgment.
So Hussain was the glaring star of that marathon which Muhammad accompanied
with nobles including Abu Bakar, Umar, Othman ,Ali, Hassan, Jaffar, Abdullah Ibn Masud,
Saad, Bilal, Abu Musa and Khalid launched in the darkened Arabia engrossed with
ignorance (Jahilyia). The mentioned noble ones exhibited their fullest loyalty with their lord
and Prophet. How they came across the torments of the Quriessh, and other instant powers is
the scintillating part of Islamic history.
They mentioned were the selected beloveds of God and His prophet. They all
immersed themselves in what God and prophet has ordered them. Their fates too were pre-
determined. They had full acquaintance to it. Imam Hussain knew that he is accompanying a
band of 72 companions, all are armless, no preparation and ammunition to face well
equipped 4000 and more. But Imam was not to cow nor stop proceeding ahead. Had peeped
back, surely he would have backed what Muhammad, Ali, Fatima and the sacrifices of the
companions have taught him. That’s why Shah Sain has very clearly elaborated the secret
behind the tragedy at Karbala. Had Imam backed, the total universe would gone into the state
of despotism, autocracy and one man rule and it would have been permanent demise of
democracy , egalitarianism and freedom of thought and speech. Hussain championed
democracy and rule of law in Karbala and this was all what God willed from Hussain to
perform.
Hearts having no pain: for August Hassan and Hussain
Compeller Sovereign creator: Shall never forgive them

Shah Sain through this verse maps the state of honor and humane of the opposite
force in dealing with the family of Prophet and Ali. To him, it wasn’t all at the battlefield but
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much was done before it, he is directly referring to the treatment to even Hazrat Hassan, the
elder son of Fatima and Ali. It is necessary to mention and be noted that that Physically
Hassan (RA) very much resembled with his maternal grandfather Hazrat Muhammad
(PBUH). His shape, physique and body structure was that of Muhammad (SAW). So Bhittai
in his utter surprise says how nasty and spiteful they were, having no mercy of the princes of
the paradise.
No, never and not at all because their hearts were black , rusty and their eyes shunned
perceiving and seeing, their minds were in languish, rust had full governance on their hearts,
eyes and minds. They were the same who stoned prophet at Taif, Inflicted tortures in Badar
and Uhad and were brutal enemies of Islam during Meccan life
When the bridegroom saddled his horse
He heard the call of his father Ali, the lion of God
What God wills is destiny, it cannot be changed

What God wills is unchangeable. This is the great message which Shah of Bhitt has
communicated for the universe. Today we see maximum adulteration in our acts and deeds.
This too has contaminated our faith. It fully rejects the perception commonly being floated
Ali as helper. Had there been any reality to this maxim, than tragedy of Karbala might have
been easily averted, that’s why Bhittai clearly says, will and command of lord will prevail.
He is the decider of what is to be done and to whom to be done. Help, assistance should be
sought from the master of universe. Any kind of misrepresentation will amount to grim sin
called shirk. This was the philosophy which Hussain took to Karbala and fought for it
Bhittai gives equal place to Hur, a noble character of love, devotion, affiliation and sublimity
in the field of Karbala. Hur had blessings of lord for choosing the camp of Hussain. Hur
immortalized himself with his act of love and true love, to have brought himself in the
regiment of the man of faith and fidelity, the children of Muhammad (SAW).
Hur had instructions right from the beginnings
He came from other side in the course of battle
Approaching the Imam, he said: I offer myself as sacrifice for you
He does not strain any human being, beyond of his endurance, I will do
All I can, the groom was also wounded, that lion too was murdered.

Hur appeared as dazzling star in the small group of Hussani combats. Though Hur
had master tanning of fighting but his inner desire and love with Muhammadians brought
him to confirm his place in paradise and shade of Muhammad (SWA) on the doomsday.
The brave and manly Hur Steeped up
I am moth, lover of flame
It may please your grandfather, the prophet
This honorable head I sacrifice for you, o groom.

Moth always surrenders unconditionally in its deep love. It extinguishes fire with its
love. When its love attains its zenith, it sacrifices its life. Hur resembles himself with love
insect; which attains her ultimate joy in sacrificing her life. Hur looks forward to that highest
position which could only be attained by attaining the pleasure of the prophet of lord. How
sagacious Hur was to have understood the great secret of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and
succeeded in achieving that lofty success whose reward he might receive from God Almighty
or Muhammad (SAW).

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Conclusion
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai through Kadero, has unfolded his utmost love with Ahal-bayat. The
house of Muhammad (SAW), Khilafat Rashida including its four noble caliphs and the
venerated companions of prophet are the real treasure of Islam. Their efforts, sacrifices and
endeavors for Islam and its dissemination are beyond of portrayal. Appraisal of their love,
devotion, supreme attachment with God and His prophet could better be evaluated by God
Almighty Himself. Shah Sain in his following verse has tried disclosing the secret of success
which they attained.
Paradise was their abode, nobler went to Firdus
They died in the way of God and become one with Him
O God! Bless me with sighting of your face for their sake

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