One of the traits of Imam Hussein was his strong will power and firm resolve. Strong will power and determination helps the individual not be impacted by social pressures and misperceptions of others. Such a person will continue his path with determination till the end. When Imam Hussein left Medina for Mecca some people proposed him to go to Yemen or somewhere else so that the political conditions are changed a little. But the Imam replied them resolutely, " By God, if there is no refuge in the world for me, I will never compromise with Yazid. I am heading toward Mecca."

Imam Hussein (AS) is the best role model of dignity not in words but in practice. Dignity means negation of humiliation, solidity of the self, magnanimity of human spirit and preservation of the personality. Dignified individuals do not give in to meanness, avoid evil and abject deeds, and are ready to sacrifice their soul for their ideal, family and community.

The un-Godly Umayyad rulers, especially Yazid, wanted to impose their allegiance on Imam Hussein and coerce him to submit to this dictate. But the grandson of the Prophet refused even though it led to his martyrdom and captivity of his family and relatives.

When the ruler of Medina told him that he should swear allegiance with Yazid, Imam Hussein (AS) negated it as a contemptible act and while enumerating Yazid's vices and evil characteristics, said, "The like of me will never swear allegiance to the like of Yazid."

The noteworthy point is that he didn't say, 'I will not swear allegiance to Yazid.' Rather he said, 'Any person who is in my condition will not accept this allegiance.' This is a lesson for the whole mankind in all eras.

In the morning of Ashura (10th of Moharram), Imam Hussein said, "I swear by God that I won't accept what they want from me till I meet God while I am immersed in my blood." In another sermon addressing the troops of Kufa, he said, "Beware that the baseborn son of the baseborn (Ibn Ziyad) has made me choose between the sword and disgrace; while disgrace is so distant from us. God, the Prophet, the faithful, the spotless laps and valorous souls will not accept this from us. I will never prefer obedience of the abject to dignified martyrdom."

In another juncture, after facing the troops of Horr, Imam Hussein (AS) said, "I don't fear death as death is the easiest way to reach dignity. Death in the way of dignity is the eternal life and disgraceful life is a spiritless life. Do you scare me of death? What a false thought! My ideal is loftier than enduring oppression for the fear of death. You can do nothing more than killing me. How sweet death is in the way of God! But you cannot obliterate my glory, dignity and nobility through killing me. What is there to be scared of death?"

The dignified spirit of Imam Hussein had been instilled in his children, relatives and companions, too. Renunciation of the letter of Ibn Ziyad by Hazrat Abbas and his brothers was an example of this trait. Had they accepted the safety granted to them by the letter sent by Shimr, they would have saved their life but they had to lead a despicable and mean life. They replied strongly, "Death to you Shimr! God damn you and your letter of safety! O enemy of God! Are you telling us to submit to obedience of oppression and give up helping our brother Hussein (AS)?"

The humbleness of Imam Hussein was one of the exemplary merits of this great personality. It is narrated that once he was passing by a group of destitute people who were sitting around and eating from the dry breads of a tablecloth. Upon seeing them Imam Hussein (AS) stopped and shared their poorly prepared food. Then he asked them, "Do you accept my invitation, too?" They answered, "Yes, the son of the Messenger of God." After that they accompanied the Imam to his house and Imam Hussein served them with whatever he had at home.

Another one of the ethical virtues of Imam Hussein was his patience. Indeed, he depicted patience in all its aspects and forms to mankind. On the day of Ashura, as military pressure, thirst, hunger and other problems were mounted against the encampment of Imam Hussein, he addressed his companions with an open face, saying, "O children of dignity and nobility! Have patience. Death is not more than a bridge that passes us through problems and hardships towards the vast paradise and perpetual blessings."

As more catastrophes befell Imam Hussein, his patience was more manifest. One of the members of the enemy forces said, "I saw Hussein at the toughest moments of Ashura and the battle. By God! I had not seen a man, whose sons, relatives and companions were killed, to be more strong-hearted and firmer than Hussein."

However, the highest stage of patience of Imam Hussein was the moment that he fell to the ground from the back of the horse but he began supplicating these words, "My God! I am pleased with your pleasure; I have patience at whatever You determine; there is no god but You, o Refuge of those who seek refuge."

Unique courage is another one of Imam Hussein's ethical virtues. Imam Hussein was combating on Ashura while he had lost all his companions and almost all of his male relatives. The events were so cataclysmic that they would bring everybody to their knees. But Imam Hussein (AS) would just continue tearing apart the enemy ranks like a thunderbolt.

An eyewitness said, "I have never seen a person braver than Hussein. Once he attacked the enemy forces would escape like a weak animal escaping from a lion."

Egyptian literary figure, Abbas Mahmoud Aqqad, writes, "Among mankind there can be found no one more valiant than Hussein on the day of Ashura."

One of the ethical virtues of Imam Hussein was his love of prayer and supplication. On the night preceding the day of Ashura, the Imam was under the full siege of the enemy and the enemy was ready to attack. But Imam Hussein (AS) sent his brother Hazrat Abbas and two other companions to postpone the battle to the day after, saying that he loved to spend the night in prayer and supplication. He said to Hazrat Abbas, "Take this night as respite. God knows that I love prayer, recitation of Qur'an, supplication and seeking forgiveness."

Thus, the Master of martyrs spent the whole night in prayer and supplication.

But his full prayer was on the day of Ashura. As the arrow pierced his heart he made niyyah (intention). Then he uttered Allahu Akbar as he was falling down from the horse. Then he made Qiyam when he rose to his knees and his Roku' (genuflection) was at the moment of falling again. Then he rose the palm of his hands up to the sky to perform Qonut while saying, "My God, Glorified and Exalted are You; Great is Your power and Sever is Your punishment; You are Needless of all. I am the son of Your beloved friend (Mohammad). These people fought us, betrayed us, left us alone and killed us." Then the Imam performed Sajda (prostration) as he put his blessed face on the soil. And finally his Tashahhud and Salam was done as his spirit was leaving his body and his head was put on a lance.