The Battle of Karbala (Arabic: مَعْرَكَة كَرْبَلَاء, ) took place on October 10, 680 (10 Muharram in the Islamic calendar) between the army of Yazid I, the second Umayyad caliph (r. 680–683) and a small army led by Hussain ibn Ali, the Islamic prophet Muhammad's grandson, at Karbala.

The message of Karbala was to change the status quo, oppression, and dictatorship, as well as all other deviations that lowered human dignity. It was not intended to cause others to walk on flaming fire in remembrance of him and lament. It was to represent the underprivileged, disenfranchised, and disadvantaged in politics. The goal was to convert the populace to the cause of justice and dignity rather than to cast curses. His sacrifice was not intended to elevate Sunnis or Shias. Its purpose was to exalt the everlasting divine emphasis on liberty and justice.