The islamic views are much more than what is mentioned above... The household of Prophet (saws), his grand son Hussain (3) was martyred in Muharram, on the day of Ashura (10th Muharram to be specific.
You can read more about why the day of Ashura was really important to Prophet (saws) here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husayn_ibn_Ali
Prophet (saws) says: "Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain, his enemies are my enemies and his friends are mine". This is not just mentioned in Shia books, but also authenticated by sunni books. It shows how valuable Hussain (3) was to Prophet (saws).
Here are a few quotes that non muslims wrote about Hussein (3):
Charles Dickens - (1812-1870) English novelists of the Victorian period
If Hussain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.
Thomas Carlyle “ (1795-1881) Famous British historian
The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Hussain and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Hussain despite his minority marvels me!
Mahatma Gandhi - (1869 - 1948) lawyer, leader of the uprising in India
In a statement published in 'Young India,'1924:
I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.... I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of Hussain the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission to save Islam. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle.
He also said: I learned from Hussain how to achieve victory while being oppressed.
The islamic views are much more than what is mentioned above... The household of Prophet (saws), his grand son Hussain (3) was martyred in Muharram, on the day of Ashura (10th Muharram to be specific.
You can read more about why the day of Ashura was really important to Prophet (saws) here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Husayn_ibn_Ali
Prophet (saws) says: "Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain, his enemies are my enemies and his friends are mine". This is not just mentioned in Shia books, but also authenticated by sunni books. It shows how valuable Hussain (3) was to Prophet (saws).
Here are a few quotes that non muslims wrote about Hussein (3):
Charles Dickens - (1812-1870) English novelists of the Victorian period
If Hussain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.
Thomas Carlyle “ (1795-1881) Famous British historian
The best lesson which we get from the tragedy of Karbala is that Hussain and his companions were the rigid believers of God. They illustrated that numerical superiority does not count when it comes to truth and falsehood. The victory of Hussain despite his minority marvels me!
Mahatma Gandhi - (1869 - 1948) lawyer, leader of the uprising in India
In a statement published in 'Young India,'1924:
I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.... I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of Hussain the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission to save Islam. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle.
He also said: I learned from Hussain how to achieve victory while being oppressed.