One could never imagine the hardships and even torture that the blessed family endured in order to uphold the banner of Islam, and for the pleasure of Allah, The Beneficent, Most Merciful, and for the sake of the survival of the Muslim community.
Indeed, the crime of those who pretend to be Muslim for the destruction of Islam, whether past or present, is heinous. But no crime could be worse than the slaughter of beloved family members of the Holy Messenger.
Amongst the family of the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him), Hazrats Ali, Fatimah, Hassan and Hussain are known as the Blessed Pure Five (Panjattan Paak), along with the Beloved Last Messenger, may Allah’s peace be upon them all.
The Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) said about his family members that: “I am leaving among you two weighty matters: Allah’s book and the People of my House,” as narrated by Muslim, Tirmidhi, and Ahmad through many chains.
Some narrations state: “I am leaving amongst you two weighty matters: Allah’s book and (the people of) my Mantle (also refers to the blessed family members or Ahle Bayt. These two shall never part ways until they come to me at the pond of Kauthar. Therefore attend to how you act with them after me.”
Statement at Ghadir-e-Khum, an Oasis between Makkah and Madinah
Ahmad and Muslim narrated from Zayd bin Arqam that on the return journey from his Farewell Pilgrimage the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), on 18 Zil Hijjah stopped at Ghadir-e-Khum, an Oasis between Makkah and Madinah. It was a place where people from different provinces in Arabia would depart from each other and take different routes for their home provinces. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) called the gathering of Companions from the various tribes, and after addressing them on important matters announced that he had received a message from Allah to declare as follows:
“It seems the time approached when I shall be called away (by Allah) and I shall answer that call. I am leaving for you two precious things and if you hold fast to both of them, you will never go astray after me. These are the Book of Allah, in which is the Guidance and the Light, and the People of my House (Ahle Bayt). I remind you, by Allah, of the People of my House! I remind you, by Allah, of the People of my House! I remind you, by Allah, of the People of my House! The two shall never separate from each other until they come to me by the Pool (of Paradise).”
Thereafter, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) declared Hazrat Ali (may Allah be well pleased with him) as the Spiritual Guide after him.
Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) continued: “Do I not have more right over the believers than what they have over themselves?” People cried and answered: “Yes, O’ Messenger of God.” Then Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) held up the hand of Hazrat Ali and said:
“Man Kunto Maulaho Fa Aliun Maulaho, Allah humma Wala Man Walaho Wa Aada Man Aadaho.”
“He whose master I am, Hazrat Ali (may Allah ennoble his countenance) is also his master. Oh Allah, You keep him as Your friend who keeps him [Hazrat Ali (Allah ennoble his countenance)] as his friend and You (Allah) treat him as Your enemy who treats him as his enemy.”
The spiritual unity of the Panjataan Paak is a symbol of the unity of all Muslims. It is for the sake of this unity in faith and commitment to Allah and truth (which is Islam), that Imam Hussain sacrificed his life. Hazrat Imam Hussain (may Allah be well pleased with him) took a stand against tyranny at the age of 56 years, on the day of Ashura 61 AH. He gave the ultimate sacrifice of position, family and life for the restoration of justice.
Each year, the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein by accursed political opportunists who had usurped the leadership of the Islamic world is commemorated with speeches, poems, and songs about the lives and sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussein and the family of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him). He refused a partisan Islam, and leadership devoid of morality and adherence to the noble example of his Beloved Grandfather the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the Panjattan Pak and all family and descendants until the end of time.
-Historical information credited to Sufi.com