Here are stories of Heroism of three individuals: a Muslim, a Sikh, and a Frenchman. What they have in common is courage, their internal strength — the guts — to act on their terms, stand for the common good, push through their fears and do what they believed was right and true.
ABBAS IBN ALI
The story is about bringing water to thirsty people. This reminds us all of a story that is told in our Sikh tradition about Bhai Kanhaiyya Ji.
Abbas Ibn Ali was martyred in 680 I.C.E. Both Sunnis and Shias revere Abbas. He had abiding loyalty to his half-brother Imam Hussein, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad and considered the third Imam of the Shia.
Imam Hussein's followers were outnumbered by Yazid, who was a Muslim only by name, during the Battle of Karbala. The thirsty children in Hussein's entourage needed water, so Abbas went to the Euphrates. When Abbas reached the river, he filled his pouch with water, and although he was very thirsty himself, he refused to drink water because he could not bear the thought of the children being thirsty.
According to legend, Abbas conquered the River Euphrates and held it with his mighty hands, but refused to drink. As soon as Abbas gathered the water, he rode back towards Hussein's camp. The enemy soldiers struck him from behind, and one of his arms was cut off. A second strike struck him from behind, amputating his other arm. Undeterred, Abbas continued holding the waterbag with his mouth.
Soldiers from the enemy began shooting arrows at him. An arrow hit the bag, and water poured out of it. As a result, Abbas' eye was struck by an arrow that was fired at him. One of Yazid's men hit Abbas' head with a mace, and, lacking the support of his arms, Abbas fell off his horse. As he was falling, he called, "Oh brother!" to Hussein, and Abbas fell. Even though he died, he had no regrets regarding his death. His only regret was not being able to provide water to the thirsty children.
The Shia Muslim community refers to Abbas as the "Hero of the Euphrates."
We all indeed fall short at times when trying to do the right thing, but it is the honorable, praiseworthy efforts that are most important, and these are what God remembers and rewards us for.
BHAI SAHIB SINGH
Sikhi places a great deal of emphasis on martyrdom. Shahid is the Arabic term used by the Sikhs to describe their martyrs. The concept of transformation is one of the most fundamental elements of Sikhi. The goal is to advance from one level to another but to always improve. Bhai Sahib Singh was one of the Punj Pyare or the Five Beloved. He was born into a community of barbers - people whose occupation is cutting hair. Sahib Chand became Sahib Singh when he joined the Khalsa on the First Vaisakhi Day and swore loyalty to Guru Gobind Singh forever.
On 7 December 1705 I.C.E., he was martyred fighting in the battle of Chamkaur. He gained many of his military skills in battles and skirmishes. At Chamkaur, Sikh soldiers made the deliberate decision to face the massive Mughal armies, thus allowing their Guru to escape.
At Chamkaur, Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Jujhar Singh, and two Punj Pyare - Bhai Himmat Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh - died along with many other Sant-Sipahis. From cutting hair to pledging to keep his hair, this individual has been an inspiration to other Sikhs from that time on to the present.
LES SOLDATS INCONNUS - THE UNKNOWN SOLDIERS
From 1946 to 1954, the French attempted to re-establish colonial control over Indochina. Despite their efforts, they faced stiff resistance from communist forces known as the Viet Minh. As a result of terrible decision-making on the part of the French, they began an operation to insert and then reinforce their troops at Dien Bien Phu, a remote outpost deep in the hills of northwestern Vietnam. Its purpose was to cut off the Viet Minh supply lines into neighboring Laos, a French ally, and entice the Viet Minh into a major battle that would ultimately result in their defeat.
By surrounding the French position at Dien Bien Phu, the Viet Minh were able to bring in heavy artillery, including anti-aircraft guns, which had to be transported over a mountainous jungle terrain to destroy the French. The French did not believe this was possible. After having been relentlessly attacked by the French artillery forces, the Vietnamese infantry launched an attack on the French positions. A great deal of ground fighting followed, similar to that of World War I trench warfare.
Several supplies and troops were dropped by air by the French. Nevertheless, as the French positions were overrun by the Viet Minh, resupply by air became increasingly difficult, for the Viet Minh took over the French positions. Many of the French aircraft were shot down by the Viet Minh anti-aircraft guns, so few supplies were able to reach the French positions.
As a result of a two-month battle, most of the French forces surrendered. There were a few French who escaped into neighboring Laos. It was at this time that the French government resigned and the new Prime Minister supported the total withdrawal of the French from Indochina.
At this point, the Americans came in to support the non-Communist South Vietnam. Although it became clear that the battle had been lost at Dien Bien Phu, soldiers of all races, ethnicities, and religious persuasions fought bravely even though it became evident that they would be defeated.
Amongst these were a few courageous soldiers who set an example. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire from the ground, these volunteers parachuted in to support the battered French troops. Remarkably, some of these volunteers had never parachuted before. There was only an hour or so of on-the-ground training and then they were in the air. Parachuting from a plane for the first time, amid heavy anti-aircraft fire, and landing in the middle of a battle requires a level of courage above and beyond the call of duty. A four-hour life expectancy was estimated for these fledgling paratroopers.
Parachute training in most armed forces around the world is rigorous. Think, for instance, of these Frenchmen who made the first-ever jump into a battle zone and into a hopeless situation in an attempt to help their comrades.
No one's religion, race, or ethnicity can claim exclusivity on courage. it has been demonstrated all around the world throughout history, heroism has always been revered and admired by Sikhs.
The battles of Karbala, Chamkaur, and Dien Bien Phu serve as constant reminders of the courage displayed by a few extraordinary individuals who fought and sacrificed their lives despite being greatly outnumbered by the enemy forces.
*Based on an original article by Fatehpal Singh Tarney