A discussion on the significance of comparing the infallible figures of the Ahlulbayt to others, particularly in the context of mourning rituals and poetry.
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Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
It has been reported in our sources and widely transmitted in our books and those of others, with various phrases mentioned in the narrations regarding your question.
Allama Majlisi quoted in 'Bihar al-Anwar' from 'Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha (Peace Be Upon Him): With this chain, Ali (Peace Be Upon Him) said: We, the Ahlulbayt, cannot be compared to anyone; the Quran was revealed among us, and we are the source of the message.
The meaning of this narration is clear and does not require much explanation or elaboration.
We believe that the Ahlulbayt are the masters of existence after the best of creation, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him and His Family), and that they are the ones from whom God has removed impurity and purified them thoroughly. They are the 'Ulul Amr' whom God has commanded us to obey in His glorious book. Therefore, we must submit to them, follow their commands, and heed their words. Their commands are God's commands, and their prohibitions are God's prohibitions. To oppose them is to oppose the Messenger, and to oppose the Messenger is to oppose God. They are like Noah's Ark; whoever boards it is saved, and whoever lags behind drowns and falls.
They are the reference for our religious matters and the source for everything related to our worldly and afterlife affairs.
This mentioned status is but a drop in the ocean of their virtues, their elevated status, and their lofty ranks with their Lord.
Given this, how can anyone be compared to them?!
Moreover, the expressions used by some scholars, poets, and writers come in the context of comparing a part of the compared to a part of the other, such as comparing the burning of our tents and the oppression of our enemies to the burning of the tents of our master and the scattering of the family of our master (Peace Be Upon Him).
In this case, there is no justification for applying all the rulings of the second (our tents) to the first (his tents), and it cannot be equated.
It is certainly not intended to negate his uniqueness, to question his status, or to diminish the impact of his tragedy.
Our master Hussein (Peace Be Upon Him) cannot be compared to anyone, nor can anyone resemble him. However, these words are used because the Master of Martyrs, for his followers and those who understand his goals, is not merely a name of a person but a profound symbol and a martyr for the sake of truth and justice. His reformative movement is the shining light that illuminated the paths for those who wish to walk in Islam on the right path.
Thus, what we have regarding them is directed towards this area, meaning that Karbala is present in our daily lives, and we draw lessons from it in all our actions and movements.
From this perspective, we see that the movement of our master Hussein (Peace Be Upon Him) is not a personal movement or an individual tragedy that can be said to have ended or passed; rather, it is a symbol of martyrdom for the sake of truth. For this reason, Hussein (Peace Be Upon Him) has lived in the conscience of the nation and has provided us with a great lesson:
Do not compromise your humanity and sacrifice everything for the sake of your principles.
And our master Hussein (Peace Be Upon Him) was the reason for the revival of the fighting spirit in humanity anew.
Therefore, we find ourselves living with him day by day, emulating him, and drawing lessons from him.
If this is the case, then what doctrinal barrier or legal prohibition stands in the way of these comparisons? Such expressions are born constrained by these limitations, bound to his status that no one can reach and his tragedy that has no equal, nor is there a day like his day. No matter how great the calamity and how intense the tragedy, the tragedy of Hussein remains the greatest, and his loss is the most significant.
It is the tragedy that Sheikh Muhammad Ali Al-Asam (may God have mercy on him) described, saying:
"Your tragedy has made us forget our tragedies that have passed, and it has diminished the tragedies to come.
The calamities of the days remain for a while,
And they will fade, but yours will remain until the Day of Resurrection."
And all praise is due to God, the Lord of the worlds.
And blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad and his pure family.