Leader of the Revolution: Imam Zayd (peace be upon him) Was a Symbol of Resistance and Steadfastness Against Umayyad Tyranny and Restored the Nation’s Honor and Dignity
In commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Zayd ibn Ali (peace be upon him), Sayyid Abdul‑Malik Badreddin al‑Houthi delivered a powerful exhortation, evoking the most profound meanings of sacrifice and fidelity embodied by Imam Zayd in the face of tyranny. He affirmed that this anniversary not only revives the memory of a great martyr but also opens a door to reflect on the values and principles that the Islamic world urgently needs today.
“May God magnify our reward and yours on the anniversary of Imam Zayd’s martyrdom,” the Leader declared. “He was that great symbol who stood resolutely against injustice and oppression to restore to the Ummah its honor and dignity.”
He explained that commemorating this occasion is not merely a reminder of the life of a martyred Imam, but a living invitation to draw lessons from the noble example this venerable Imam set in resisting despotism and correcting the course of the Ummah.
“Imam Zayd (peace be upon him) was not merely a military commander or jurist,” the Leader added, “but one of the luminaries of Islam who illuminated the path for the Ummah in its darkest hours. His great role in reviving the truth and establishing the religion, and his confrontation with Umayyad tyranny, stands as a model of steadfast commitment to faith.”
The Leader of the Revolution emphasized that Imam Zayd’s contributions have echoed down through the generations, and that at a time when the Ummah faces unprecedented crises and challenges, we most need to draw upon the great lessons of his experience. “Our present circumstances demand that everyone return to the Holy Qur’an and hold fast to the authentic values that Imam Zayd strove to revive,” he remarked.
He also expressed his deep appreciation for Imam Zayd’s standing among the Muslim community, noting that “he enjoys immense respect across all the sects of the Ummah, with everyone acknowledging his lofty rank and complete faith.”
He recalled that Imam Zayd’s movement arose at a critical and perilous juncture, when Umayyad tyranny had tightened its grip on the Ummah. In that era, the greatest wars against Islam were being waged, sacred sites were besieged, and the Prophet’s family in Medina was humiliated.
“In their contempt for Islamic sanctities, the Umayyad tyrants even sought to distort the Qur’an and defame the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family),” the Leader said, “employing their power to dominate the Ummah and reduce it to a state of humiliation and enslavement.”
He further spoke of Imam Zayd’s profound relationship with the Qur’an: “Imam Zayd (peace be upon him) was a close ally of the Qur’an, known in Medina as its steadfast champion.” He underscored that the Imam stood firmly against efforts to reduce engagement with the Qur’an to mere formal rituals, ignoring its deep meanings and life‑giving values.
In conclusion, Sayyid Abdul‑Malik urged all Muslims to “draw inspiration from Imam Zayd’s revivalist movement in these trying times, and to remain steadfastly loyal to his lofty principles of resisting tyranny and returning to the values of the Holy Qur’an.” He stressed the importance of the Ummah upholding its covenant with the truth and finding in Imam Zayd’s sacrifices the means of perseverance and certainty in the face of all attempts at moral and existential subjugation.