Nafasul Mahmum : Relating To The Heart Rending Tragedy Of Karbala
Chapter3
Information to Hurr bin Yazeed ar Riyahi, his encounter with Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and resisting him from going towards Kufa
(Irshad, Tabari) Then Imam Husayn (a. s. ) started paving the way from Sharaf until afternoon, and while they were proceeding, one of his compan ions called out “Allaho Akbar. ” Imam Husayn (a. s. ) repeated it and asked him the reason for uttering it at that moment. He replied that he saw palm-trees. A group of his companions said, “By Allah! We have never seen palm-trees in this area. ” Imam then asked them what they thought, to which they replied, “In our opinion those are the ears of the horses. ” Imam said,
“By Allah! I too see it. ”
Then he asked,
“Is there a place of refuge here, so that we may turn our back towards it and face them from the front”?
They said, “Yes, there is a hill called Zu Husam at your side, then if we hasten to the left, we shall reach there before them, and shall achieve our goal. ” Imam turned towards the left and they followed suit. After some time the heads and necks of the horses became visible and they were appraised. Imam and his companions changed their direction, and when they saw this, they hastened towards them. The points of their lances were like the honey-combs and their standards were like the flapping wings of the birds.
Imam has tened towards Zu Husam and reached there before them, then Imam
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ordered the tents to be pitched. The people, who were numbered around one thousand horsemen, were under the command of Hurr bin Yazid Tamimi. They came and stood in the heat of Zuhr, facing Imam and his companions. Imam and his companions had worn turbans on their heads and had unsheathed their swords. Imam then told his companions,
“Serve water to them and to their horses too. ”
They filled the bowls and cups with water and served to the Horses. Only when the Horse drank three to four times, did they take it away from it and give to the other one. They did thus until they had fed all of them.
Ali bin Ta’an Muharibi says, that on that day I was along with Hurr and was the last one to reach there. When Imam Husayn (a. s. ) saw my and my Horse’s thirst he said,
“Sit your Rawiyah down. ”
I thought, by Rawiyah he meant the water-skin. When Imam realized that I could not understand he said,
“Sit the Camel down. ”
When I did so, he told me to drink. I tried to drink the water, but the water fell from the water-skin. Imam then told me,
“Bend your water skin. ”
I could not understand what to do, when Imam himself arose and lifted the water skin, I drank from it and gave my Horse to drink too. [1]
Hurr had come from Qadsiyyah, where Ubaydullah bin Ziyad had designated Haseen bin Nameer to be there on guard. Then he dispatched Hurr bin Yazid with a thousand soldiers towards
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Imam Husayn (a. s. ). Hurr remained facing the Imam until the time of Zuhr Prayers, and Imam commanded Hajjaj bin Masrooq to give the call for Prayers (Azan).
(Irshad) At the time of Iqamah Imam came out wearing a shirt, cloak and shoes. He praised and glorified Allah and said,
“O people! I did not come to you until I re ceived your letters and messengers urging me to come to you, for you had no Imam and you desired that Allah may unite you through me towards (the path of) guidance and truth. Then if you adhere to your promises, I have come to you, thus admit your (promises) of covenants and testimonies so that I may find relief. While if you do not agree to it and despise my arrival, I shall go away to where I came from. ”
No one from them replied, then Imam asked the Muezzin to recite the Iqamah. When the Muezzin did so, Imam Husayn (a. s. ) turned towards Hurr and said,
“If you desire, you may recite the Prayers with your companions. ”
Hurr replied, “No, but we wish to Pray while you lead it. ” Then Imam lead the Prayers and they followed him. After the Prayers Imam returned to his tent and his companions gathered around him. Hurr also went to the tent, which his companions had pitched for him, and a group of his companions sat around him, while others went into their ranks and pulling the reins of their Horses closer, sat under it’s shade.
When the
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time of Asr came, Imam commanded his companions to ready them selves to leave and they conceded. Then he commended his muezzin to say the Azan and Iqamah, which he did. Imam was again urged to lead the Prayers, which he did. He recited the salutations and turned towards them. He praised and glorified Allah and said,
“Now then! O people! If you fear Allah and you recognize the dues of the rightful, Allah will be pleased with you. And we are the Household of Muhammad (S) , and hold more authority upon this matter (the Caliphate) than those who claim it. They have sown the seeds of oppression and enmity amongst you. Then if you despise us and do not recognize our rights, and if your opinions are averse to what you had written to me in your letters and conveyed to me through your messengers, then I shall go away from you. ”
Hurr replied, “By Allah! I do not know anything regarding the letters nor the messengers as you say. ” Then Imam called out to one of his companions and said,
“O Utba bin Sam’an! Bring to me the two saddle-bags containing their letters. ”
He brought the bag full of letters and scattered the letters in front of them. Hurr said, “We are not of those who had written to you. We have been commanded not to part with you as soon as we find you, and then to take you to Kufa to the presence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. ” Imam replied,
“Verily
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death is nearer to you than this. ”
Then he directed his companions to mount and they complied. When they started proceeding, Hurr stopped their way to which Imam said,
“O Hurr! May your mother mourn over your death, what do you intend”?
Hurr replied, “If anyone else among the Arabs had said this in the same position as you are, I would have answered him equally, whoever he might be, but I cannot utter the name of your mother, except with fairness. ” Imam said,
“Then what do you desire”?
Hurr said, “I desire to take you to the commander Ubaydullah. ” Imam said,
“By Allah! I shall not do so. ”
Hurr said, “By Allah! I too shall not leave you. ” They repeated this thrice, and when their conversation got heated, Hurr said, “I have not been commanded to fight with you. I have been ordered to remain with you until I take you to Kufa. Then now when you refuse to go to Kufa, take a way, which does not go to Kufa nor Madina, while this being a compromise between us. Then I shall write a letter to the commander and you write to Yazid or Ubaydullah, and Allah should bring forth fairness, so that I may not be entangled in your matter. ” Imam turned his horse towards Qadsiyah and Uzayb towards the left, and Hurr and his followers traveled by their side.
Tabari relates from Azdi, that Uqbah bin Abu Eizar relates, that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) delivered a sermon at Bayzah amidst
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his companions and that of Hurr’s. He praised and glorified Allah and said,
“O people! The Prophet has said, that when you see an oppressive ruler legitimizing that which has been prohibited by Allah and breaking His covenant, and opposing the cus toms of the Prophet, and he behaves unjustly and oppressively with Allah’s servants, then if a person does not oppose him through his word or deed, it is incumbent upon Allah to place that person on the status of that oppres sor. Beware that these statesmen (of Bani Umayyah) have adhered to the commands of Shaitan and disobeyed the orders of Allah, and have made corruption the custom of the day. They have gathered the rights at one place and have reserved the treasury of Muslims (Baytul Mal) for them selves, and permitted the prohibitions of Allah and forbade that which is allowed by Him.
I am more worthy among all the men to stop and oppose them. You sent your letters to me, and your messengers too, saying that you have taken the oath of fealthy to me and promised that you would not hand me over to my enemies nor forsake me. Then if you (still) persist on your allegiance, then you are on the right. I am Husayn, the son of Ali and Fatima the daughter of the Prophet of Allah (S). My life is asso ciated with you and my family with yours, and you should be sympathetic towards me. And if you do not do so and have
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committed breach of trust, while having taken off the pledge of allegiance from your necks, then I swear by my life, that this is nothing new from you. You have done the same with my father, brother and cousin Muslim (bin Aqeel) , the one who falls prey to your deception turns helpless. You have let go your share from your hands and have toppled up your fortunes. The one who committed breach of trust shall himself face deceit, and very soon Allah will make me independ ent of you. Peace be upon you and Allah’s Mercy and Abundance. ”
(Irshad) Uqbah bin Abu Eizar says, that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) halted at Zee Hasam, and after praising and glorifying Allah said,
“Now then! You have seen what unrighteousness has come forth. The world has changed color and has shown unacquaintance. Its righteousness has parted and this has continued until the remnants of good in it amounts to the thin sediment at the bottom of a drinking utensil. And life is degraded like the grazing ground of death. Do you not see that truth is not being practiced and wrong not being discouraged? The righteous believer is the one who aspirers towards righteousness. I alone consider death to be a prosperity, while living with the oppressors is nothing but undesirable. ”
The narrator says that Zuhair bin Qayn Bajali arose and said, “Do you desire saying something or you permit me to do so”? They told him to say. Then he praised and glorified Allah and answered the
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Imam, “O son of the Prophet of Allah! May your Allah be your guide! We have heard what you said. By Allah! If this world would have been immortal and our lives herein would have been eternal, and if we had to leave this world as a result of your companionship and aid, we would consent to it, rather than remain in this world without you. ” Hearing this Imam praised him and prayed for him.
In another narration it is related, that Nafe’ bin Hilal Bajali arose from his place and said, “By Allah! We do not despise Allah’s permanence, and we remain (firmly) upon your intentions and insight. And we will befriend the one who befriends you, and will bear enmity towards your adversaries. ”
Burayr bin Khuzayr arose and said, “O son of the Prophet of Allah! Allah had favored us through you, that we may fight in front of you and our bodies be cut to pieces, so that on the day of Qiyamah your Grandfather may intercede for us. ”
(Kamil, Irshad) Hurr, who was traveling alongside the Imam (a. s. ) , came up to him and said, “O Husayn! I request you in the name of Allah to think about your life, and I am convinced that if you fight, you shall surely be killed. ” Imam replied,
“Do you make me fear death? Could a worse disaster befall you than killing me? I repeat the words of a brother of Aws, which he had said to his cousin, when he intended
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assisting the Prophet of Allah (S).
His cousin feared for him and said, “Where are you going, for you shall be killed. ” To which he answered:
“I will depart, for there is no shame in death for a young man, whenever he intends (to do what is) right and he strives like a Muslim, who has soothed righteous men through (the sacrifice of) his life, who has scattered the accursed and opposed the criminals. If I live, I will not regret (what I have done) , and if I die, I will not suffer. Let it be enough for you to live in humiliation and be reviled. ”
When Hurr heard these words he parted from Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and started walking from the other way with his companions, while Imam paved the other way with his companions.
(Tabari, Kamil) They reached Uzayb al Hijanat, which was a grazing ground for the horses of Nu’man, hence the name Hijanat. Suddenly four Camel-riders (viz. Nafe’ bin Hilal, Mujme’ bin Abdullah, Umar bin Khalid, and Tirimmah bin Adi) appeared from Kufa towing the horse of Nafe’ bin Hilal named Kamil, and Tirimmah bin Adi was their leader. They came face to face with Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , and when Tirimmah’s sight fell on Imam he recited the following Rajaz: “O my Camel! Do not fear my clamor and reach us before sunrise to a good caravan, who is a best traveler, until you reach a far sighted brave man, who is honorable and munificent, who has been
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brought by Allah for a worthy cause, and is an aid, and may Allah keep him alive till the end of the world. The Prophet of Allah’s family is a family of prestige and honor, they are the masters with fair and illuminated countenance, who attack their enemies with brown spears and sharp-edged swords, O the One who has the power of profit or loss! Help Husayn against such rebellious people, who are a remnants of disbelief, the two sons of Sakhr (Abu Sufyan) viz. Yazid who is a habitual drinker of wine, and Ibn Ziyad, who is an adulterer and an illegitimate son. ”
When these persons reached Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , Hurr proceeded towards them and said, “These people are the natives of Kufa, I shall arrest them or dispatch them back to Kufa. ” Imam replied,
“I shall defend them with my life, for these people are my companions and hold the same right as the other fellow-companions of mine. Then if you oppose the covenant which we share with them, I shall fight you. ”
Hearing this Hurr withdrew. Imam Husayn (a. s. ) then turned towards them and said,
“Tell me regarding the people of Kufa. ”
Mujme’ bin Abdullah Aedi, who was one of them said, “Their chiefs have accepted huge bribes and have filled their purses. The sovereign has bought their souls and have made them their firm accomplices. While all of them have united against you. As regards the other people, their hearts are with you but tomorrow their swords shall be
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drawn forth in front of your face. ” Then Imam inquired about his messenger Qays bin Mushir Saydawi, to which they replied, “Haseen bin Nameer had arrested him and sent him to Ibn Ziyad, and he had ordered Qays to curse you and your fa ther.
Qays mounted the pulpit and sent salutations upon you and your father and condemned Ibn Ziyad and his father. He invited the people to assist you and informed them of your arrival. Then Ibn Ziyad ordered him to be thrown down from the terrace of the palace. ” Imam started weeping uncontrollably and recited the following verse of the Qur’an:
“Of them is he who has fulfilled his vow, and of them is he who awaits (it’s fulfill ment) , and they have not changed the least. ” (Surah al-Ahzab, 33: 23)
O Allah! Bestow us and them a place in Paradise, and unite us in the place of repose of Your Beneficence and the treasure of Your reward. ”
Then Tirimmah bin Adi came up to him and said, “I see quite a few men with you and if they (the enemies) fight your companions (who are quite less) as I see, then they are enough for them. Before I left Kufa, a saw a group of people in such large numbers as I had never seen anyone gathered at one place. When I inquired as to what was the reason behind this, I was told that they were being arrayed and would be sent to fight you. I request you in the
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name of Allah not to move even a span towards them, and go to a town which is fortified, then halt there until you take a decision and think over your plan of action. Come along with me, I shall halt you at the mountain of Aja, which is fortified. This mountain has shielded us against the kings of Ghassan and Hameer, Nu’man bin Manzar, and the red skinned and fair-skinned men (foreigners) , and we have (always) taken refuge in it. By Allah! We have never faced disgrace, I shall come along with you and give you place therein. Then you may dispatch your envoys to the people of the clan of Bani Tayy, who reside in the mountains of Aja and Salami, until the horsemen and foot soldiers rally around you. Ten days will not pass until twenty thousand men of (the clan of) Tayy will be ready and will not let anyone reach you until they have their lives within themselves. ” Imam Husayn (a. s. ) replied,
“May Allah reward you and your people favorably! We have entered into an agreement with these people by which I cannot return, and we do not know what shall befall us and them. ”
Abu Makhnaf says that Jameel bin Marsad has related to me from Tirimmah bin Adi, that he said: I bade farewell to the Imam and said, “May Allah grant you refuge from the evil of jinn and men! I have brought provisions for my family from Kufa and their subsistence is
with me, I shall go back and hand it over to them. Then I shall come back to you and join your compan ions. ” Imam replied,
“Allah’s Mercy be upon you! Then hasten”!
I realized that he needed more men hence told me to hasten. Tirimmah says that I went to my people and handed over to them what I had with me and bequeathed to them. They told me that, “We have never seen you do (haste) so ever before. ” I related to them my intention and passed from the road of Bani Na’al, until I neared Uzaybul Hijanat. There I met Sama’ah bin Badar, who gave me the news of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , hence I returned back.
The author (Shaikh Abbas Qummi) says that according to the narration of Abu Ja’far Tabari, who quotes from Azdi, it proves that Tirimmah bin Adi was not present in Karbala and was not among the martyrs therein. Rather when he heard the news of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , he returned back.
But according to the renowned Maqtal of Abu Makhnaf, it is related from Tirimmah that he says that, “I was wounded immensely and was lying among the martyred ones in Karbala. I swear righteously that at that moment I was not dozing off, I saw twenty horsemen coming....... ” etc. Thus this narra tive cannot be relied upon and weakens the reports, and may Allah bestow a righteous reward.
Then Imam proceeded further until he reached Qasre Bani Maqatil and
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halted there. He saw a tent pitched there and inquired as to whose tent it was. People replied that it was of Ubaydullah bin Hurr Jo’fi. Imam said that he desired to meet him and sent someone to call him.
(Manaqib) Hajjaj bin Masrooq Jo’fi, the messenger of Imam, came up to him and said, “Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , the son of Ali, desires to meet you. ” He said, “Verily we are Allah’s and verily unto Him shall we return. By Allah! I did not leave Kufa, except to distance myself from Husayn bin Ali. By Allah! I do not desire to see him or he should see me. ” Hajjaj returned back and conveyed his words to the Imam. Imam arose and left to meet him. When he went to Ubaydullah, he saluted him and sat down. Then Imam invited him to assist him, to which he repeated the words, which he had uttered before and thus ex cused himself.
Then Imam said,
“Now when you have excused yourself from helping us, then do not fight against us. By Allah! The one who listens to our cry and does not hasten to respond to it will certainly be doomed. ”
Ubaydullah replied, “As regards siding with your enemies, Allah willing, it shall not happen. ” Then Imam Husayn (a. s. ) arose and went towards his tent.
It is relevant that here we relate regarding Ubaydullah bin Hurr Jo’fi: Mirza (Muhammad Astarabadi) in his book Rijale Kabeer relates from Naj jashi, that Ubaydullah bin Hurr Jo’fi was a
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horseman and a poet. He had a book related from the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a. s. ). Then Mirza quotes through his chain of narrators that Ubaydullah asked Imam Husayn (a. s. ) about the dye he used. Imam replied,
“It is not as you think, indeed it is Henna and Wasmah. ”
Furthermore, it is related in Qamqam that the above-mentioned Ubaydullah was a follower (Shi’ah) of Caliph Usman. He was brave and a horseman among the Arabs. He fought in the battle of Siffīn alongside Mu’awiyah due to (his affection for) Usman. When Imam Ali (a. s. ) was martyred he returned back to Kufa and resided there. When the people prepared for the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , he left Kufa so that he may not be a partner to his martyrdom.
Tabari relates from Azdi, who relates from Abdul Rahman bin Jandab Azdi, that after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , Ubaydullah bin Ziyad in spected the noblemen of Kufa. He could not find Ubaydullah bin Hurr, and after some days when he came back he went to meet Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. Ubaydullah asked him, “O son of Hurr! Where were you”? He said that he was unwell. To which Ubaydullah asked, “Were you emotionally unwell or physi cally”? He replied, “My heart is not unwell, as regards my body, Allah has favored me with health. ” Ubaydullah said, “You lie, in fact you were with our enemies. ” Ubaydullah replied, “If I would have been present with your enemies, it would have come to
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light, for a person like me cannot remain concealed from sight. ”
When Ibn Ziyad became negligent of him, he stole himself, mounted his horse and left. Then Ubaydullah turned towards him and said, “Where is the son of Hurr. ” People said that he had just left. He ordered that he should be brought back to him. The guards rushed after him and told him to respond to the call of the commander.
He said, “Convey to him that I shall never come to him walking on my feet”, saying this he turned back until he reached the house of Ahmar bin Ziyad Taee. He gathered his companions and they went to the place of Martyrdom at Karbala.
There he prayed to Allah for their forgiveness and went to Madaen. He composed some couplets in this regard: “The deceptor and deceiver commander, who is in fact a deceiver, says that why did I not fight Husayn, the son of Fatima (a. s. ) , when I am abashed and regret as to why did I not assist him, and the one who neglects performance of good deeds is liable to be ashamed and should repent. ”
It is related in the context of his couplets that he was ashamed for not assisting Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , and he composed some couplets, which shall be quoted in the Chapter of Eulogies in this book.
Furthermore, it is related that he clasped his hands together with regret and said: “What have I done to myself”? Then he recited the
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following cou plets: “O regrets and O grief! and until the time I am alive, this re morse shall be upon my soul and my neck, when Husayn had asked me to assist him against the misled and hypocrites at Qasre Bani Maqatil, when he told me will you leave us and go away? then if I had sacrificed my life defend ing the Imam, the son of Mustafa (S) , may my life be his ransom, then I would have succeeded on the day of Qiyamah, he (Imam) turned his back from me and bidding farewell returned back, then if the heart of the one regretting could be ripped open, I wish my heart would be teared, it is very much true that those who have supported and assisted Husayn have succeeded and are righteous, while those who were hypocrites are damned. ”
Abu Hanifa Dinawari, after quoting some of these couplets says that Ubaydullah bin Hurr was from among the noblemen and warriors of Kufa.
The Honorable, Sayyid Mahdi Bahrul Uloom says in his Rijal, that Shaikh Najjashi has included Ubaydullah bin Hurr Jo’fi in the list of the ancient devout Shi’ah. He is the same person, whom Imam passed after meeting Hurr bin Yazid Riyahi and asked for his help but he declined.
Shaikh Saduq in his Amaali, relates from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a. s. ) that when Imam Husayn (a. s. ) reached Qatqataniyah, he saw a tent pitched and inquired as to whose tent it was. People replied that it was of Abdullah bin
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Hurr Hanafi (while the correct name is Ubaydullah bin Hurr Jo’fi). Imam sent a messenger to him saying,
“You are an evil and guilty person. Allah shall call you to account for whatever you have done. Then if you now turn back to Allah and assist me, my Grandfather will intercede for you in the audience of Allah. ”
He replied, “O son of the Prophet of Allah! If I come to assist you, I shall be one of the first persons to sacrifice my life in front of you. You may take my horse. I have never attended to any work seated on it, except that I have attained what I desired, and no one has ever reached me except that it has saved me, hence I present it to you, so take it. ” Hearing this Imam turned his face away from him and said,
“Neither do I need you nor your horse. I do not desire to enter misled people into my ranks. Run away from here and do not side with us or against us, for the one who listens to the cry of us, the Household (Ahlul Bayt) , and does not hasten to assist us, Allah shall throw him head-long into the fire of hell. ”
Shaikh Mufeed in his Irshad says, that when Imam Husayn (a. s. ) reached Qasre Bani Maqatil, he saw a tent pitched there… (till the end as quoted earlier).
Then Sayyid Tabatabai Bahrul Uloom relates, that Shaikh Ja’far bin Muhammad ibn Nima in his Sharhus
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Sar fee Ehwalil Mukhtar, writes that Ubaydullah bin Hurr bin Mujme’ bin Khuzaym Jo’fi was among the noblemen of Kufa. Imam Husayn (a. s. ) came to him and invited him to join his ranks, but he de clined the offer.
Later he repented such that he wished he had died, and he recited the couplets (as quoted above) The other renowned verses of his are: “The lustful Bani Umayyah sleep in peace, while the family of the slain ones of Taff are devoid of it, Islam has not been destroyed except at the hands of a clan of foolish men, who are made commanders, and their airs and graces are prevalent, the spears of the Religion are in the hands of the oppressors, when one part of it bends, it is not straightened by them, I have sworn that my soul shall always be aggrieved and sorrowful, and my eyes full of tears, which will never dry in my lifetime, until the chiefs of Bani Umayyah be disgraced till their death. ”
Then he goes on to say, that this very Ubaydullah joined the forces of Mukhtar and accompanied Ibraheem bin Malik Ashtar to fight with Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. Ibraheem was uneasy because of his presence and told Mukhtar, “I fear that at the time of need he might deceive us. ” Mukhtar said, “Favor him with wealth and blind his eyes. ”
Thus Ibraheem proceeded accompanied by Ubaydullah until he reached Takrit and halted there. He ordered the taxes to be collected and then
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distributed it among his companions. He sent five thousand dirham for Ubaydullah, to which he was infuriated and said, “You have kept ten thousand dirhams for yourself, while I am not less (in sta tus) than you. ” And as much as Ibraheem swore that he had not kept more than that, he refused to accept.
Ibraheem sent him his own share but he was still not satisfied. Then he revolted against Mukhtar and broke his promise of support. He looted the villages of Kufa and killed Mukhtar’s men and taking away all the loot went away to Basra to Mus’ab bin Zubayr. Mukhtar sent his soldiers behind him, who destroyed his house.
Later Ubaydullah regretted as to why did he not assist Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , and why he did not remain with Mukhtar and said: “When Mukhtar invited people for revenge, the followers of the Household (Ahlul Bayt) came for ward, who had worn their hearts on top of their armors, they went forward in every river of death and battlefield, they assisted the grandson of the Prophet and his family, their motive being none other than taking revenge of the blood, thus they entered Paradise and it’s fragrance, and this is better than all the gold and silver, Alas! If only I too had fought with the Indian and eastern swords, Regrets! If only I had entered into the ranks of your supporters, I would have killed each rebellious and trans gressor. ”
After quoting these couplets, Sayyid Bahrul Uloom says that according to
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my opinion, under all circumstances, Ubaydullah bin Hurr Jo’fi was a believer, but was an offender. You have seen that he declined to assist Imam Husayn (a. s. ) besides his attitude with Mukhtar too. But later he repented and regretted.
We are astonished that Najjashi has included him among the virtuous ones and given importance to him, and has given him place in the beginning of his book. According to this (as has been quoted above) , I hope the mercy of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , who ordered him to flee away, so that he may not hear the cry so as to be thrown headlong into the fire of hell, that he would intercede for him in Qiyamah near Allah. For he regretted it severely and repented over what he had done. And Allah best knows his state and his end. (Here ends the discourse of Allamah Tabatabai Bahrul Uloom).
The author (Shaikh Abbas Qummi) says, that the family of the progeny of Hurr Jo’fi were Shi’ah, which includes Adeem, Ayyub and Zakariyyah, who were the companions of Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a. s. ). Najjashi has quoted regarding them and says that Adeem and Ayyub were among the reliable men, and he also ascribes a book to Zakariyyah.
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[1]: The above incident highlights Imam’s clemency and humane nature. Even though being aware, that these very men would stop access to water from him, his children and companions and ultimately kill them, he quenched their thirst. This being the character of righteous men and the virtuous slaves of Allah. Why would not one expect such character from Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , for he is the son of Imam Ali (a. s. ) who had done the same in the battle of Siffīn.
Upon arrival in Siffīn, Imam Ali (a. s. ) ’s army found it’s excess to water front barred by a strong contingent of the Syrian forces. Imam Ali (a. s. ) sent Sa’sa’ bin Sawhan, a companion of the Prophet (S) to Mu’awiyah, asking him to withdraw his troops from the river and allow free access to water to everyone. Mu’awiyah refused to do so, whereupon Imam ordered his troops to seize the water front by force. His troops routed the Syrians and captured the water front.
Now there was panic in the camp of Mu’awiyah, they had no way to reach the water. Imam Ali (a. s. ) ’s generals opined that they should pay Mu’awiyah back in his coin and let the Syrian army perish of thirst. But Imam gently reproved them for wishing to imitate an example, which they themselves condemned, and he said, “The river belongs to Allah. There is no embargo on water for anyone, and whoever wishes, may take it. ”
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) on way to Kufa
Our Shaikh Saduq, through his successive chain of narrators, relates from ‘Amr bin Qays Mashriqi, who says that I along with my cousin came to the presence of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) at Qasre Bani Maqatil. We saluted the Imam and my cousin asked him,
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“The color of your hair is due to the dye or a chemical dye”? Imam replied,
“It is dyed, for we, the Bani Hashim turn old very soon. ”
Then the Imam turned towards us and asked,
“Have you come to assist me”?
I answered, “I have a large family and I also have the trust of other people with me. I do not know what will be the outcome of this, and hence do not desire that the wealth of people (with me) may go waste. ” My cousin too said something similar. Then Imam said,
“Then go away from here and do not remain so as to hear our cry or see our gloom, for the one who hears our cry and beholds our gloom and yet does not hasten to assist us, then it is the right upon Allah, the Honored, the Glorified, to throw him headlong into the fire of hell. ”
(Irshad) Then in the last part of the night, Imam ordered water to be taken and left from Qasre Bani Maqatil.
Uqbah bin Sam’an says, that we went along with the Imam and he took a short nap on the horse’s back. Then he woke up and uttered the words:
“Verily we are Allah’s and verily unto Him shall we return. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. ”
Then he repeated it twice or thrice. His son Ali bin Husayn (a. s. ) , who was riding a horse, came up to him and asked, “Why did you (suddenly) praise Allah and utter the words
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of “returning to Him”? Imam replied,
“O my dear son! Sleep overtook me, and I saw a rider come up to me from behind and said: These people are proceeding further, while death is advancing towards them. I perceived that they were our spirits informing us of our death. ”
Ali bin Husayn said, “O dear father! May your Lord not bring forth evil! Are we not on the right”? Imam replied,
“Why not, by Him towards Whom all servants return. ”
Then Ali said, “Then we do not fear, for we shall die on the right. ” Imam said,
“May Allah reward you abundantly, the reward which is due from a father to his son. ”
(Irshad and Kamil) When it dawned, Imam Husayn (a. s. ) recited the morning Prayers and hastily ascended his horse and turned towards the left. He tried to dispel his companions (from Hurr’s army). Then Hurr bin Yazid came up to him and desisted him and his companions from doing so. And as much as Hurr tried to take them to Kufa, they resisted until they stopped, but they followed in the same way until they reached Ninawa.
When Imam Husayn (a. s. ) halted there, a rider, equipped with arms and carrying a bow on his shoulder, arrived from Kufa. Everyone stopped and watched him, and when he came, he saluted Hurr and his companions and did not salute Imam and his companions. Then he handed over the letter of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad to Hurr, whose contents were as follows: “Now then! As
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soon as my letter and messenger reaches you, be severe towards Husayn. And let him halt at a barren land, devoid of fortresses and water. I have instructed my messenger not to part with you until you have carried out my orders, Salutations. ”
When Hurr read the letter of Ubaydullah, he told them, “This is the letter of the commander Ubaydullah, in which he has ordered me to stop you wherev er this letter reaches me. And this is his messenger, who shall not part with me until I carry out his orders. ”
(Tabari) Then Yazid bin Muhajir Abul Sha’sa Kindi looked at the messenger of Ibn Ziyad and asked him, “Are you not Malik bin Numayr”? He replied in the affirmative, while he was from the clan of Bani Kinda. Abul Sha’sa said, “May your mother mourn you! What order have you brought”? He re plied, “What have I brought, but the orders of my Imam and fulfilled my allegiance to him. ” Abul Sha’sa said, “You have disobeyed your Allah and obeyed your Imam in that which will doom you. And you shall earn disgrace and the fire of hell, what an evil Imam you have. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“And we made them Imams who invite unto the (hell) fire, and on the day of Qiyamah they shall not be helped” (Surah al-Qasas, 28: 41) while your Imam is one of them.
(Irshad) Hurr thus forced Imam and his companions to halt at that place, devoid of habitation nor water. Imam said,
“Woe
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be to you! Leave us, so that we may halt at this village (Ninawa or Ghaziriyyah) or that (Shu fiyyah). ”
Hurr replied, “By Allah! I cannot permit you to do so, they have appointed that man as a spy over me. ” Then Zuhayr bin Qayn said, “O son of the Prophet of Allah! I see that the matter will get worse than this. It is much easier for us to fight these people now, than to fight with the group who shall come after them. By my life! So many people will come afterwards that it is beyond our strength to confront them. ”
Imam replied,
“I shall not (be the first to) fight them. ”
Saying this he dismounted, and that was on Thursday, the second of the month of Muharram sixty-first year of migration.
Sayyid ibn Tawoos says, that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) stood amidst his compan ions and delivered a sermon. He praised and glorified Allah and sent salu tations upon his Grandfather and then said,
“You have seen as to what have they brought forth..... (till the end) ”
And he delivered a sermon similar to that which we have quoted earlier when Imam met Hurr.
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) ’s halt at the ground of Karbala, Umar bin Sa’ad’s entry, and the circumstances therein
point
When Imam Husayn (a. s. ) stopped at the plain of Karbala, (Kamil) he in quired as to what was the name of the place. People replied that the place was known as “Aqar. ” Imam said,
“Almighty Allah! We seek your refuge from Aqar” (Aqar means barren, sterile).
Sibt ibn Jawzi has written in his Tazkirah, that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) asked as
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to what was the name of the place. They replied that it was Karbala and was also called Ninawa, which was a village therein. Then Imam started weeping and said: Umm Salama has informed me, that one day Jibra’eel came to the presence of Prophet Muhammad (S) , and you (Imam Husayn) were with me. Suddenly the Prophet said, “Leave my child”, hearing this I left you and the Prophet made you sit on his lap. Jibra’eel asked him, “Do you cherish this child”?
The Prophet replied in the affirmative. Then Jibra’eel said, “Your Ummah will kill him, and if you desire I shall show you the earth of the place where he shall be martyred. ” The Prophet showed his willingness to do so. Then Jibra’eel spread his wings towards Karbala and showed the Prophet the place.
Thus when Imam Husayn (a. s. ) was told that the name of the place was Karbala, he smelt the earth and said,
“This is the same place regarding which Jibra’eel had informed the Prophet, and I shall be killed herein. ”
Then Sibt ibn Jawzi relates from Sha’bi, that when Imam Ali (a. s. ) was proceeding towards Siffīn, he came face to face with Ninawa, which was a village near the river Euphrates. Imam halted there and commanded his companion, who had the job of providing water for ablutions that,
“Tell me the name of this place. ”
He replied that it was called Karbala. Hearing this he wept bitterly until the earth became wet with his tears. Then he
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said,
“One day I went to the presence of the Holy Prophet (S) when he was weeping and asked him as to what made him weep. ”
He replied,
“At this moment Jibra’eel came to me and informed me that my son Husayn will be killed at a place called Karbala near the river Euphrates. Then Jibra’eel lifted a handful of earth and gave it to me, I smelt it, thus I could not control my tears. ”
Furthermore it is related in Biharul Anwar from Kharaej, that Imam Muhammad al Baqir (a. s. ) says, that one day Imam Ali (a. s. ) went out with his com panions one or two miles away from Karbala. Then he advanced further until he reached a place called Maqdafan and started wandering there. Then he said,
“Two hundred Prophets and the progeny of the Prophets have been martyred at this place, and this the halting station, the place of martyr dom of the felicitous martyrs, which has not been acquired by the ancient, while those after them shall not reach it too. ”
(Malhoof) When Imam Husayn (a. s. ) reached that place, he asked as to what was the name of that place. People replied that it was called Karbala. Imam said,
“O Allah! I seek your refuge from Karb (Grief) and Bala (trials) ”
Then he said,
“Grief and trial dwells herein, hence alight down, and this is our halting place. Here will our blood be shed and here shall we be buried. My Grandfather, the Prophet of Allah (S) has foretold me regarding it. ”
Everyone
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complied to his order and dismounted, while Hurr too pitched his tents with his companions at another place.
(Kashful Ghummah) Everyone complied to his orders and dismounted and off-loaded their equipments, while Hurr dismounted his army opposite Imam Husayn (a. s. ). Then Hurr wrote to Ubaydullah informing him that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) had halted at Karbala.
It is stated in Murujuz Zahab, that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) proceeded towards Karbala accompanied by five hundred horsemen and around a hundred on foot from his family and companions.
It is related in Biharul Anwar from Manaqib that Zuhayr bin Qayn said, “Take us along, so that we may halt at Karbala near the bank of the river Euphrates, and we shall halt there. Then if they fight us, we shall fight them and seek help from Allah. ” Tears rolled down the eyes of Imam and he said,
“O Allah! I seek your refuge from Karb (grief) and Bala (trials). ”
Imam settled therein and Hurr dismounted too facing him with a thousand soldiers. Then Imam ordered that pen and paper should be brought and he wrote a letter to the affable chiefs of Kufa:
“From Husayn bin Ali, to Sulayman bin Surad, Musayyab bin Najabah, Rufa’ah bin Shaddad, Abdullah bin Wa’al and the group of believers. Now then! You very well know that the Holy Prophet in his lifetime said that the one who witnesses a cruel and oppressive ruler… (till the end as narrated, which has been related earlier in context of his sermon delivered in the presence of
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his companions and that of Hurr’s. ) ”
Then he folded the paper and affixing his seal over it, handed it over to Qays bin Mushir Saydawi … (till the end, which has already been related earlier. )
When he received the news of the Martyrdom of Qays, tears flowed from his eyes and he said,
“O Allah! Assign an exalted station for me and my fol lowers (Shi’ah) near You. And assemble us into the place of repose of Your Mercy, for You have power over all”
Then one of the companions from among the followers (Shi’ah) viz. Hilal bin Nafe’ Bajali [1] leapt forward and said, “O son of the Prophet of Allah! Your grandfather, the Prophet of Allah (S) , could not force his affection into the hearts of all men, nor could he bring people to his command, for there were hypocrites among them, who would say that they would assist him but in their hearts intended to deceive him.
Their attitude was sweeter than honey in his presence and behind his back they were bitter than Colocynth, until the Almighty Allah summoned the Prophet to Himself. And your father was similar to him. A group of people united to assist him but later he had to fight the Nakeseen, the oppressive Qaseteen and the perverse Mareqeen. [2]
Then the end of Imam Ali (a. s. ) came and he proceeded towards the bliss of Paradise. And now today those with us are similar to those people of that day. And the people have not broken off the
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pledge and the allegiance, except that they have done loss to none other than their own selves, and Allah has made us independent of them. You may, with sobriety and welfare, take us to whichever place you desire, whether it be in the east or the west. By Allah! We do not fear the decree of Allah, nor do we despise His meeting. We shall take the opportunity with our determination and sightedness, and will befriend your friends and will bear enmity with your enemies. ”
Then Burayr bin Khuzayr Hamadani arose and said, “By Allah! O son of the Prophet of Allah (S)! Allah has graced us through you that we may be cut to pieces in front of you and on the day of Qiyamah your Grandfa ther would intercede for us. The one who has betrayed the grandson of their own Prophet, shall not find salvation. Fie upon them for what they shall see tomorrow in Qiyamah, and shall groan and wail in (the fire of) hell. ”
Then Imam Husayn (a. s. ) gathered his sons, brothers, relatives around him and wept for some time and said,
“O Allah! We are the progeny of Your Prophet. These people have dragged us out of our houses and have driven us and have constrained us from the place of our Grandfather (Madina). The Bani Umayyah have oppressed us. O Allah! Take away our rights from them and help us over these tyrants. ”
Then he proceeded from there and on Wed nesday or Thursday entered Karbala on the second
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of Muharram 61 A. H. Then he turned towards his companions and said,
“People are the slaves of this world and Religion is only a lip-service for them, and they will take care of it until it is pleasurable, and when the crucible of trials approaches, only a few religious ones remain. ”
Then he asked,
“Is this place Karbala”?
The people replied in the affirma tive. He said,
“This is the place of grief and trials and this is the place of the resting of our Camels, our halting place, station of our martyrdom and where our blood shall be spilled. ”
Then they dismounted there, and Hurr accompanied with a thousand men too alighted facing him. Then he wrote to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad saying that Husayn had encamped at Karbala.
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[1]: The author in his note says that according to me the right name is Nafe’ bin Hilal bin Nafe’, while the historians have erroneously mentioned it as Hilal bin Nafe’ because of the repetition of the name Nafe’ as is quoted in Manhajul Maqal etc…
[2]: Nakeseen or the violators of oath, referred to by Imam Ali (a. s. ) to the group who fought against him at Jamal, derived from the Qur’anic verse “So whoever violates his oath (nakasa) , does violate it only to the injury of his (own) self” (Sura al Fath: 10). Qaseteen or the deviators, referred to by Imam Ali (a. s. ) to the group who fought against him at Siffīn, derived from the Qur’anic verse “And as for the deviators (Qasetoon) , they shall be a fuel for the hell” (Sura al Jinn: 15). Mareqeen or those who missed the religion, referred to by Imam Ali (a. s. ) to the group of Kharijites who fought against him at Naharwan, derived from a Prophetic Tradition.
Ubaydullah bin Ziyad’s letter to Imam Husayn (a. s. )
“Now then O Husayn! I have been informed that you have halted at Karbala. Yazid has written to me not to recline my head on the bed and not be sati ated until I send you to Allah, or you submit yourself to me and Yazid bin Mu’awiyah. Greetings. ”
When his letter reached Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , he read it and threw it away saying,
“The one who seeks the pleasure of people against the displeasure of Allah can never succeed. ”
The messenger asked him the reply for the letter, to which Imam said,
“He has no reply, but has the wrath (of Allah). ”
When the messenger reached Ubaydullah and conveyed the Imam’s message to him, he was infuriated and looked towards Umar bin Sa’ad and appointed him to fight with Imam Husayn
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(a. s. ). Before that Ubaydullah had given the governorship of Ray to Umar bin Sa’ad, thus when Umar excused himself, Ubaydullah told him to return the post bestowed upon him. Umar asked for respite and thereafter agreed in fear of the governorship being taken away from him.
The author says that this (Umar bin Sa’ad’s excuse to Ubaydullah not to fight) seems unlikely to me. The reliable biographers and historians have mutually agreed that Umar bin Sa’ad reached Karbala one day after Imam Husayn (a. s. ) entered therein, and it was the day of third of Muharram (thus it proves that he was prepared for it from the very beginning).
Shaikh Mufeed, Ibn Aseer and others relate that Umar bin Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas left Kufa towards Karbala the next day accompanied by an army of four thousand horsemen. Ibn Aseer says that the reason of Umar bin Sa’ad going to Karbala, was that Ubaydullah bin Ziyad had sent him on duty to Dashti, with a well-equipped army of four thousand, for the people of Daylam had gained control over it and secondly that Ubaydullah had given him authority over Ray. Umar bin Sa’ad had made Hammamul A’ayan as his encampment.
When the matter of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) reached here, Ubaydullah called Umar bin Sa’ad and said, “Go and confront Husayn and after accom plishing our task, return back to your position. ” Umar bin Sa’ad tried to excuse himself when Ubaydullah said, “Very well, then you may return back what has been conferred upon
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you. ”
When Ubaydullah said this Umar replied, “Give me respite for today so that I may take a decision”, saying this he left and asked the opinion of his well-wishers, all of whom advised him to refrain from it. His nephew Hamza bin Mugheera bin Sha’bah came to him and said, “I request you in the name of Allah not to confront Husayn, for by doing this you will be sinning and severing the bonds of relationship with him. By Allah! Even if you have to leave this world, the wealth and the kingdom upon the earth, it is better for you than go to the presence of the Almighty Allah with the blood of Husayn upon your neck. ”
Umar replied that he would not do so and he spent the entire night pondering upon it saying, “Could I decline the governorship of Ray, while it is my dream, or should I return back blamed for killing Husayn? Should I kill him, then I will wind up in the hell from which there is no escape, while the governor ship of Ray is the refreshment of my eyes. ”
Then he returned to Ubaydullah and said, “You have deputed me for this task and all the people have heard it. If you desire send me for this job, otherwise send someone else against Husayn from the noblemen of Kufa, who would be better than me”, then he named some of them. Ubaydullah replied, “If I have to send someone else I will not
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ask your opinion, then now if you are ready to go to Karbala with the command over our army, do so, or else return back the post which we have conferred upon you. ” Hearing this Umar replied, “I myself will go”, saying this he proceeded until he en camped opposite Imam Husayn (a. s. ).
The author says that what Imam Ali (a. s. ) had predicted came out to be true. Sibt ibn Jawzi in his Tazkirah relates that the eminence of Imam Ali (a. s. ) became apparent here. One day he met Umar bin Sa’ad, who was a young lad at that time, and said,
“Woe be to you O son of Sa’ad! What would be your state at the moment when you will be standing between Paradise and hell and you shall choose the hell. ”
When Umar reached Karbala, he halted at Ninawa.
(Irshad) When Umar bin Sa’ad reached Karbala, he called Urwah bin Qays Ahmasi and said, “Go to Husayn and ask him as to why he has come here and what he desires. ” He replied that he was ashamed to go, for he was among those who had written to the Imam inviting him to come. Then when Umar put the same offer to whomsoever in his army, they all refused, for they were among those who had written to Imam. Then Kaseer bin Abdullah Sha’abi, who was a brave man and would never turn his face away from any task, arose and said, “I shall go and if you desire I shall
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kill him. ”
Umar replied, “I do not desire his murder, then go to him and ask him the reason as to why he has come here. ” Kaseer went until Abu Samamah Saedi saw him and said, “May Allah reconcile you O Aba Abdillah! The man is coming towards you, who is the worst among the dwellers of this world and who is the boldest and who had shed the most blood among them. ”
Then Abu Samamah himself arose and went up to him and told him to keep his sword down. He refused to do so and said, “I am only a messenger, then if you desire, I shall convey it to you or else I shall return back. ” Abu Samamah said, “In that case I shall keep my hand over the hilt of your sword then you may deliver your message. ” He said, “No, I shall not let your hand reach there. ” Abu Samamah said, “Then deliver your message to me and I shall convey it to Husayn, but I shall not let you go to him for you are a wicked man. ” Then they started abusing one another until Kaseer returned back to Umar bin Sa’ad and informed him.
Umar called for Qurrah bin Qays Hanzali and said, “Woe be to you! Go to Husayn and ask him as to why he has come here and what he desires. ” When Imam saw Qurrah he asked,
“Does anyone know this man”?
Habib bin Mazahir replied, “Yes, he is from the Hanzala
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clan of Tameem, and is the son of our sister. I had known him to be a believer and had never thought that he would come here like this. ” Qurrah came and saluted the Imam and delivered the message of Umar. Imam replied,
“The people of your town have written to me and requested me to come here. Then if you hate my presence I shall return back. ”
Then Habib bin Mazahir said, “Woe be to you O Qurrah! Are you returning back to the oppressive ones? Then assist this man because of whose Fathers Allah will favor you. ” Qurrah replied, “I shall return back and convey Imam’s message to Umar and think over it. ” He returned back and conveyed to Umar what Imam had told him. Then Umar said, “I hope that Allah will spare me from fighting him. ”
Then he wrote to Ubaydullah: “In the Name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful. Now then! When I reached my destination, I sent a messenger towards Husayn asking him as to why he came here and what he desired. He replied that the people of this town had written to him and sent messengers inviting him, hence he has come here. He says that if these people do not like my presence and have turned against their words, which were conveyed to me by their messengers, I shall return back. ” Hassan bin A’ez Asabi says, that I was present there when Umar’s letter reached Ubaydullah. When Ubaydullah read the letter, he said,
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“When he has got trapped in our claws, he hopes to escape, now there is no escape. ”
Then he wrote back to Umar bin Sa’ad: “Now then! I have received your letter, and I have understood whatever you have written therein. Offer a proposal to Husayn that he and his companions should take the pledge of allegiance to Yazid. Then if he does so, we shall see what is to be done. Greetings. ” When Umar received the letter he said, “I had feared that Ubaydullah would not seek fairness. ”
Muhammad bin Abi Talib says, that Umar bin Sa’ad did not convey this propo sal of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad to Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , for he knew that the Imam would never pledge his allegiance to Yazid. Then Ubaydullah ordered all men to gather at the great mosque of Kufa. Then he came out, mounted the pulpit and said, “O people! You have very well tested the family of Abu Sufyan, and you have found them such as you desired them (to be). This is the commander of the faithful Yazid, who is well-behaved, a person with a pleasant countenance and kind to his subjects. He bestows rights upon everyone and the roads are safe in his kingdom. And similar was his father Mu’awiyah in his own time. And after him his son Yazid too respects the slaves of Allah and makes them rich with wealth and honors them. He has increased your rights by a hundred times and has commanded me to increase
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it further and prepare you to fight his enemy Husayn. Then listen to him and obey his orders. ” Saying this he alighted the pulpit and distributed abundant gifts among people and dispatched them to assist Umar bin Sa’ad against Husayn.
(Manaqib) Ubaydullah started dispatching troops to Karbala until twenty thousand horsemen (Malhoof) gathered with Umar bin Sa’ad till the sixth of Muharram. (Tasleeyatul Majalis) Then Ubaydullah sent someone to Shabas bin Raba’ee saying, “Come to me so that I may dispatch you to fight Husayn. ” He pretended to be sick and excused himself.
Ubaydullah sent him a letter stating: “Now then! My messenger has informed me that you pretend to be sick, and I fear lest you be one of those who
“when they meet with those who believe, they say ‘we believe’, but when they go apart to their devils, they say, ‘surely we are with you, verily we did but mock’” (Surah al-Baqarah, 2: 14)
Then if you persist in our obedience, hasten to come to us. ”
Shabas came after the Prayers of Isha, so that Ubaydullah may not see his face, which was free of any illness. When Shabas came, Ubaydullah welcomed him and made him sit near him and said, “I desire that you go to fight that man (Husayn) and thus assist Umar bin Sa’ad. ” Shabas replied that he would surely do so (Manaqib) and he dispatched him with an army of one thousand horse-men.
(Irshad, Tabari) Then Ubaydullah wrote to Umar bin Sa’ad: “Now then! Prevent Husayn
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and his companions from getting water. They should not get a single drop of water as was done with (Caliph) Usman bin Affan. ”
Umar bin Sa’ad immediately sent ‘Amr bin Hajjaj with five hundred horse-men to go to the bank of the river Euphrates and block the supply of water for Imam and his companions. They did not allow them to take even a single drop of water, and that was three days before the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (i. e. the seventh of Muharram)
(Tabari) Ubaydullah bin Haseen Azdi, who was registered (in the army) of the clan of Bajila, called out in a loud voice (Irshad): “O Husayn! Do you see this water similar to the heavens? By Allah! You shall not taste even a drop of it until you perish of thirst. ” Imam Husayn (a. s. ) replied,
“O Allah! Make him die of thirst and never forgive him. ”
Hameed bin Muslim says: By Allah! Later I visited him during his illness. By Allah, besides Whom there is no Deity, I saw him drinking water until it reached his stomach and he vomited it. Then he shouted “Thirst, thirst” and drank water until it reached his throat and he was never satiated, he remained in that state until he died (May Allah’s curse be upon him).
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) in Karbala’
It is written in Biharul Anwar, that Ubaydullah bin Ziyad kept dispatching troops one after the other to Umar bin Sa’ad (in Karbala) until he had thirty thousand horsemen and foot-soldiers with him. Then Ubaydullah
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wrote to Umar: “I have not left any excuse for you with respect to the (quantity of) army. Then remember to inform me, every morning and evening, about your affairs. ” Ubaydullah had started inciting Umar (for battle) from the sixth of Muharram.
Habib bin Mazahir came to Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and told him, “O son of the Prophet of Allah (S)! Nearby there is a branch of the tribe of Bani Asad. If you permit, I shall go to them and invite them to assist you, perhaps Allah will defend you through them. ” Imam gave him permission and Habib, in the darkness of the night, disguised himself and went towards them. They recognized him and inquired from him as to what he desired. Habib replied, “I have brought the best gift for you. I have come to you to invite you to assist the grandson of our Prophet. He is here with a group of believers, each one of whom is better than a thousand men, and they shall not leave him, betray him nor surrender him (to the enemies).
Then Umar bin Sa’ad has surrounded them, you are my tribesmen, hence I invite you towards welfare. Then today pay heed to my words and assist him, so as to gain honor in this world as well as the Hereafter. I swear by Allah! Whoever among you is martyred in the way of Allah along with the grandson of the Prophet of Allah, then he will be in the lofty
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station among the friends of Muhammad (s. a. w. s). ”
Hearing this a man from among them, named Ubaydullah bin Basheer arose, and said, “I am the first one to accept this invitation. ” Then he recited the following Rajaz: “The nation knows that when the horsemen are ready to fight, I stand as a warrior, valorous, similar to a forest Lion. ” Then the men of the tribe gathered until ninety people prepared to go to assist Imam Husayn (a. s. ).
At that moment, a man from among them went and apprised Umar bin Sa’ad about the situation and he sent Ibn Azraq with four hundred horsemen towards Bani Asad. When they (Bani Asad) were coming towards the army of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , the horsemen of Umar bin Sa’ad stopped them on the bank of the river Euphrates. A quarrel started between them which turned into a fierce battle. Habib bin Mazahir called out to Azraq, “Woe be to you! Lift your hands off us”, but Azraq refused to do so.
When the people of Bani Asad realized that they were incapable of resisting them, they returned back to their tribe. They left their place that very night fearing Umar bin Sa’ad. Habib returned to Imam (a. s. ) and apprised him of the situation and Imam said,
“There is no Might and no Power except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great. ”
Umar bin Sa’ad’s horsemen retreated back and stopped the water supply for Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and his companions, and intense thirst troubled them.
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Imam lifted up an arrow and went behind the tent of the ladies, and measur ing nine steps towards the West, started digging the ground. Sweet water emerged from therein, which Imam and his companions drank and filled their water skins, then the water disappeared and was never traceable.
When this news reached Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, he sent someone to Umar bin Sa’ad saying, “I have received information that Husayn digs wells and drinks from therein along with his companions? Then when this letter reach es you, beware and try as much as possible to stop them from digging the well and drinking water. Then pester them as was done with (Caliph) Usman bin Affan. ” When this letter reached Umar bin Sa’ad, he increased his persecution upon them.
Muhammad bin Talha and Ali bin Isa Irbili relate, that when thirst intensi fied, a man from among Imam’s companions, named Yazid bin Haseen Hamadani, who was a devout man, came to Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and said, “O son of the Prophet of Allah! Permit me to go to Umar bin Sa’ad and speak to him regarding (blockage of) water, perhaps he may abstain from it. ”
Imam agreed and Yazid bin Haseen Hamadani came to Umar bin Sa’ad but did not salute him. Umar said, “O brother from Hamadan! Do you not consider me to be a Muslim, for you have not saluted me”? Yazid replied, “If you had been a Muslim, as you say, then you would not have come to kill the progeny of the
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Prophet of Allah.
Then you would not have stopped the water of Euphrates from him, his brothers, his women-folk and his family, the water, which the pigs and the wild hogs drink, so that they may perish of thirst. You do not let them partake from it and then claim that you recognize Allah and His Prophet”?
Umar bin Sa’ad bowed his head (in shame) and said, “O brother from Hamadan! I am well aware that persecuting them is unlawful. But Ubaydullah, left the entire community, and chose me for a very diffi cult task and I left for it at that very moment. By Allah! I cannot un derstand, and am stopped at a dangerous turn, which I do not hold dear. Should I leave the ruler ship of Ray, which I desire, or I should return, with the blood of Imam upon myself, and his murder would be a cause of entering the fire (of hell) which is unavoidable, and the kingdom of Ray is the coolness of my eyes. ”
Abu Ja’far Tabari and Abul Faraj Isfahani says that when the thirst of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and his companions increased, he called for his brother Abbas bin Ali (a. s. ) and sent him with a group of thirty horsemen and twenty foot soldiers with twenty water skins to the river. They reached the water in the night and Nafe’ bin Hilal Bajali was in the forefront carrying a stan dard. ‘Amr bin Hajjaj Zubaydi saw him and asked as to who he
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was. Nafe’ disclosed his identity, to which ‘Amr said, “Welcome O brother! What have you come here for”?
Nafe’ replied, “I have come to partake the water which you have blocked from us. ” ‘Amr said, “Go ahead and drink it with pleasure. ” Nafe’ said, “By Allah! I shall not drink even a drop from it until Imam and his companions (whom you see) are thirsty. ”
Hearing this the men with ‘Amr bin Hajjaj turned towards them and ‘Amr said, “There is no way, we have been appointed for this very reason so as to stop them from reaching the water. ” When the men of Nafe’ came closer, he told the foot soldiers to fill their water skins. They filled their water-skins quickly and ‘Amr bin Hajjaj and his men attacked them.
Then Abbas bin Ali (a. s. ) and Nafe’ bin Hilal attacked them and pushed them to their ranks. Then they said, “Go, we have stopped them. ” ‘Amr bin Hajjaj and his men returned back and some of them were driven back. A man named Sada’, who was from among the men of ‘Amr, was wounded by Nafe’ with a spear. He considered the wound to be minor and did not attend to it, but later his wound opened up and he succumbed to it. Thus the companions of Imam took the water skins to him.
(Tabari) Imam Husayn (a. s. ) sent ‘Amr bin Qartah Ansari to Umar bin Sa’ad saying, “Come to meet me tonight between the two armies. ” Umar came with
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twenty horsemen, while Imam too went accompanied with the same amount of men. When they reached face to face, Imam told his companions to move far away and Umar too ordered his companions to do so.
Both the groups moved away and they started talking to one another until one part of the night passed away. Then they returned back to their armies and no one knew as to what was discussed between them. But the sane ones said that the Imam told Umar bin Sa’ad, “Accompany me in revolting against Yazid and leave his ranks. ” Umar replied, “My house shall be destroyed (if I do so). ”
Imam said,
“I shall build it (back) for you. ”
He said, “My properties shall be confiscated”, and Imam said,
“I shall give you better than that from my property in Hijaz. ”
But Umar was not pleased by it. And these reports were being discussed among men, when they had heard and knew nothing.
Shaikh Mufeed relates that Imam sent someone to Umar bin Sa’ad saying that he wanted to meet him. Then they met at night and spoke to each other for a long time. Then Umar bin Sa’ad returned to his place and wrote to Ubaydullah, “Now then! Allah has extinguished the fire (of hatred) and united men on one opinion and has set right the affairs of the Nation (Ummah).
Husayn has promised me that he will return back to the place where he came from, or go away to an Islamic border-town and lead a life
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any other normal Muslim. Or that he would go to Yazid and offer him his hand and the dis agreement between them may be straightened. And this proposal is that what you like and wherein lies the straightness of the Nation. ”
Abul Faraj writes that Umar sent a messenger to Ubaydullah with the propo sal and informed him that, “If a Dailami had desired this from you and you would not yield to it, you would have committed injustice. ”
Tabari and Ibn Aseer relate from Uqba bin Sam’an that he says that: I accompanied Imam Husayn (a. s. ) from Madina to Makkah and from Makkah to Iraq. And there was not a single speech of his which I had not heard, whether in Madina, Makkah or on the way to Iraq, and among his ranks, until he was martyred. By Allah! The report, which is renowned among men that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) had agreed to go to Syria and place his hand in the hand of Yazid, or go away to any Islamic border-town, had never ever been said by him. But he had said that, “Leave me so that I may go around upon this extensive earth, until I witness where the state of affairs of the people reaches. ”
Shimr bin Ziljawshan’s arrival at Karbala and the events on the night of ninth Muharram
point
When the letter of Umar bin Sa’ad reached Ubaydullah, he read it and said, (Irshad) “This letter is from the man who is a well wisher of the chief and is merciful towards his community. ” Hearing this Shimr bin Ziljawshan arose and said, “Will
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you agree to his demands when he (Imam Husayn) has encamped in your province near you? By Allah! If he goes away from your domain without giving his hand in yours (submitting to you) , then he will turn powerful, while you will become weak and distraught. Then do not agree to what he says for it is the sign of impotency. Do command that he along with his companions may submit to you, then if you punish them, you are worthy of it, and have the right to do so. ”
Ubaydullah replied, “Verily your opinion is very fair. Take my letter to Umar bin Sa’ad, so that he may convey my orders to Husayn and his compan ions that they may submit to my orders without any conditions or stipula tions. Then if they agree to it, he should dispatch them alive to me, and if they disagree, he should fight them. Then if Umar bin Sa’ad agrees to do so, you should obey him, but if he disagrees, you shall be the commander in chief of the army. Then cut off his (Husayn’s) head and dispatch it over to me. ”
Then he wrote to Umar bin Sa’ad, “Now then! I had not sent you to Husayn so that you may defend him and be negligent towards him. Nor to offer him assurance of safety and to make lame excuses and intercede on his behalf. Then see, if Husayn and his companions submit to my command, dispatch them over to me without battle.
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And if he disagrees, attack him and kill him. Then separate every limb of his for he is worth it.
Then again when you have killed him leave the horses to trample upon his back and chest, for he is worthy of it and is an ungrateful man and an oppressor (Allah’s refuge). Although I know that doing so after his death would not effect him, but I have pledged to myself that if I kill him I shall do so. Then if you obey my command, I shall bestow gifts upon you due to the observant and obedient one. And if you disagree, alienate yourself from my army and give the charge to Shimr bin Ziljawshan, whom I have ordered to do so. Greetings. ”
Abul Faraj relates that Ubaydullah sent a message towards Umar bin Sa’ad that, “O son of Sa’ad! You have been a man of ease and a profligate. Then fight the man (Imam Husayn) and use violence against him and do not yield to any of his requests until his submits to my command. ”
It is related in Tareekh of Tabari that Azdi said, that Haris bin Hasirah relates from Abdullah bin Shareek Amiri, that when Shimr had got the letter written, he arose along with Abdullah bin Abi Mahl, who was an uncle of Ummul Baneen (a. s. ) , daughter of Hizam bin Khalid, and the wife of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a. s. ). Ummul Baneen had four sons from Imam Ali (a. s. ) ,
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viz. Abbas, Abdullah, Ja’far and Usman. Thus Abdullah bin Abi Mahl bin Hizam bin Khalid bin Rabi’ah bin Waheed bin Ka’ab bin Amir bin Kilab said, “May Allah rectify (the affairs for) the chief! Our nephews are along with Husayn, then if you deem fit, write down a document of security for them. ” Ubaydullah said, “Very well”, then he ordered his scribe to write down the document of security for them.
Abdullah sent the letter to Karbala with one of his retainer named Kirman with the message that, “Your uncle (Abdullah bin Abi Mahl) has sent this docu ment of security for you. ” The youth replied, “Convey our greetings to our uncle and tell him that we are in no need of his security. Verily Allah’s security is better than that of the son of Sumayyah. ”
Shimr brought the letter of Ubaydullah to Umar bin Sa’ad. When Umar read it he said, “Woe be upon you! What have you brought? May your house be ruined! May it be evil whatever you have brought me! By Allah! I know that you must have prevented him from doing that what I had written to him. And you have spoilt the matter, which could result in peace. By Allah! Husayn will not submit, for he has a noble soul. ”
Shimr said, “So now tell me, what do you intend doing? Will you obey the orders of the chief and fight his enemy? If not, then hand over the charge to me. ” Umar replied, “No, you
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shall not have this honor and you shall not get this position. I myself shall undertake this task and you shall be the commander of the foot soldiers. ”
Thus Umar bin Sa’ad proceeded towards Imam Husayn (a. s. ) on Thursday the night of the ninth of Muharram with his army.
Proposal of security to Abbas bin Ali (a. s. )
Shimr came and stood facing the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and called out it a loud voice, “Where are the sons of our sister (of clan) ”?
Hearing this Hazrat Abbas, Abdullah, Ja’far and Usman came out and asked him as to what he desired. Shimr replied, “O sons of my sister! You are guaranteed security. ” They replied, “Woe be upon you and your security! You offer us security while the son of the Prophet is devoid of it”?
(Malhoof) In another narration it is quoted that Hazrat Abbas (a. s. ) called out in a loud voice, “May your hands be amputated! What an evil security you have brought for us. O enemy of Allah! Do you desire that we should betray our brother and master Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and obey the accursed sons of accursed fathers”?
Umar bin Sa’ad then addressed his army saying, “Arise, O army of Allah! Thus have glad tidings of Paradise. ” Then all the people mounted, and after the Prayer of Asr proceeded to attack Imam Husayn (a. s. ).
(Kamil) It is related from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a. s. ) that,
“Tasoo’ah (ninth) of Muharram is the day, when Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and his companions were besieged at Karbala by the army of
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Syria from all sides and of floaded their luggage. The son of Marjanah (Ubaydullah bin Ziyad) and Umar bin Sa’ad were pleased at the large number of their army and they deemed Imam and his companions to be weak. They knew that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) had no helpers or aides in Iraq. May my father be ransom upon the oppressed traveler. ”
When Umar bin Sa’ad ordered his troops to mount, they obeyed and advanced until they neared the tents of Imam Husayn (a. s. ). (Irshad, Kamil, Tabari) Imam was seated in front of his tent reclining against his sword with head on his knees and was dozing off. When Hazrat Zaynab (a. s. ) heard the hue and cry of the troops, she ran towards Imam and asked him, “O dear brother! Do you not hear this hue and cry advancing towards us”? Imam lifted his head up and said,
“I have just seen the Prophet of Allah (S) in a dream and he told me that tomorrow I shall be united with them. ”
Hearing this Hazrat Zaynab (a. s. ) started beating her face and wailing. Imam Husayn (a. s. ) said,
“There is no need for you to wail. O dear sister! Remain silent, may your Allah’s mercy be upon you. ”
(Tabari, Irshad) Hazrat Abbas (a. s. ) came to Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and said, “O Master! These troops have come towards us. ” Imam arose and said, (Irshad, Tabari)
“O Abbas! May my life be your ransom! O dear brother! Mount and go to them and ask as to what has
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happened, what they intend and why have they come towards us. ”
Hazrat Abbas, accompanied by twenty sol diers including Zuhayr bin Qayn and Habib bin Mazahir, came towards them and said, “What has come up recently and what do you desire”? They replied, “An order has come forth from the commander that we order you either to submit or else we should fight you. ” Abbas replied, “Then wait so that I may go and deliver whatever you have said to Abu Abdullah. ” They stopped (advancing further) and said, “Go to him and convey whatever we have told you and return back with his answer. ” Hazrat Abbas (a. s. ) speedily galloped towards Imam and conveyed to him their message, while his companions stood there talking with the troops.
Habib bin Mazahir told Zuhayr bin Qayn that, “If you desire to speak to them, do so, and if you desire I will talk to them. ” Zuhayr replied, “Since you have started the talk, you may say. ” Thus Habib bin Mazahir said, “By Allah! Tomorrow, on the day of Qiyamah, the worst among men to stand in the presence of Allah, will be the one who killed the Progeny of their Prophet (S) , his family, his household and the virtuous people of his town, who stand up for the Midnight Prayers and remember Allah abun dantly. ” Urwah bin Qays replied, “Trouble yourself as much as you please. ” Hearing this Zuhayr retorted, “O Urwah! Fear Allah, for I am your well wisher. I request you in the name of
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Allah O Urwah, that you will be among those assisting the astray and killing the devout. ” Urwah replied, “You were not among the Shi’ah of that family but were in fact the follower of Caliph Usman. ”
Zuhayr replied, “Does not my presence here convince you that I am one of their Shi’ah? By Allah! I am not among those who had written to the Imam nor sent my messenger to him and nor am I among those who had promised to assist him. But I met Imam on the way and then remembered the Prophet and positioned myself towards him. Then I realized that he was proceeding towards his enemy, hence I entered his ranks and resolved to assist him and be among his followers. And I should sacrifice my life for him, and thus guard the right of Allah and His Prophet, which you have abandoned. ”
As regards Hazrat Abbas (a. s. ) , he returned back and conveyed whatever they had told him. Imam replied,
“Go and tell them if you can, to delay it until tomorrow, so that tonight we may worship our Lord and supplicate and re pent, for Allah knows that I befriend Prayers, reading the Qur’an, supplicating abundantly and praying for forgiveness. ”
Thus Hazrat Abbas went towards them and when he returned back to the Imam, a messenger of Umar bin Sa’ad was along with him. The messenger stopped from where his voice could be heard and said, (Irshad) “We have given you respite until tomorrow. Then if you submit, we
shall take you to the commander Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, and if you refuse, we shall not leave you”, saying this he returned back.
Relating to the events of the night before Ashura’ (the tenth of Muharram)
(Irshad) Imam Husayn (a. s. ) gathered his companions at night. Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (a. s. ) says that: I went closer to them so as to hear what they said, and at that time I was unwell. I heard Imam telling his compan ions that,
“I glorify Allah with the best glorification, and praise him in times of prosperity as well as misfortunes. O Allah! I praise You that You have likened Prophethood to be bestowed in our family, You taught us the Qur’an thus making us intellectuals in Religion, and conferred upon us the faculty of hearing and foresight and an enlightened heart. Thus enter us among the fold of your grateful servants.
Now then! I have not known any companion who are more faithful and devout than you, nor have I known any family who is more considerate, affectionate, favorable, and amiable than my family. Thus may Allah reward you well on my behalf. And I presume that the enemy will not spare even a single day, and I permit all of you to go away freely while I validate this for you.
I lift up from you the re sponsibility of the allegiance and oath (which you have sweared at my hands). The darkness of the night has enveloped you, thus free yourself from the whirlpool (hiding) in the waves of darkness. Then each of you may catch
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hold of the hand of each of my family members and disperse into the villages and cities, until Allah bestows relief upon you. For these people desire me only, and after having laid their hands upon me, they shall not pursue anyone else. ”
Hearing this his brothers, sons, nephews and the sons of Abdullah bin Ja’far said, “We shall never do this so as to remain alive after you. May Allah never cause this to happen. ” Hazrat Abbas bin Ali (a. s. ) preceded in the declaration and others followed suit.
Then Imam turned towards the sons of Aqeel bin Abi Talib and said,
“The sacrifice of Muslim is sufficient for you, hence I permit you to go away. ”
They replied, “Glory be to Allah! What will the people say? They will say that we have forsaken our chief, master and a cousin who was a best cousin. And that we did not shoot arrows alongside him, thrust spears and did not strike our swords besides him, and we would not know what to do (regarding this accusation). By Allah! We shall never ever do this. In fact we shall sacrifice our lives, wealth and our family for you. We shall fight along side you until we reach the fate besides you. May life be ugly after you (if we remain alive). ”
Then Muslim bin Ausaja arose and said, “Shall we forsake you? Then when we go to the presence of the Almighty, what excuse shall we present to Him regarding the fulfillment of your
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rights? No, By Allah! I shall pierce this lance of mine in the hearts of the enemies, and shall strike them with my sword until it’s hilt remains in my hands, and if no weapon remains with me to fight with them, I shall attack them with stones. By Allah! We shall not lift our hands off you, until it is proved to Allah that we have honored the regard of the Prophet in respect of you. By Allah! Even if I know that I shall be killed and then made to rise again and then killed and burnt and my ashes be scattered around, and this shall happen seventy times, even then I shall not forsake you until I am killed in your obedi ence. Then how should I forsake this when I know that death is to come only once, after which a great blessing awaits me. ”
Then Zuhayr bin Qayn arose and said, “By Allah! I hold dear that I should be killed then made to arise and again killed, and this should happen to me a thousand times, and thus Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, may defend you and your family from being killed. ”
Then all the other companions unanimously repeated the same. (Tabari) They said, “By Allah! We shall not abandon you, in fact our lives shall be sacrificed for your life. We shall defend you with our necks, faces and hands. Then we all shall die while having performed our duty. ”
The following couplet best suits their
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discourses: “O my Master! Even if the throne of my greatness reaches the empyrean, I shall remain your serv ant and a beggar at your door, if I lift my heart and it’s love from you, then whom should I love and where should I take my heart”? May Allah reward them favorably with respect to Imam Husayn (a. s. )
Then Imam Husayn (a. s. ) returned back to his tent.
“May Allah reward the youth who bore patiently, they being unique any where in the world. They were embodiment of excellent character and not bowls of milk blended with water, which can later turn into urine. ”
Sayyid Ibn Tawoos relates, that it was said to Muhammad bin Bashar Hazra mee that, “Your son has been arrested at the border of Ray. ” He replied, “I leave him to Allah’s accountability. By my life! I do not like being alive after his arrest. ” Imam Husayn (a. s. ) heard his words and said,
“May your Allah have mercy upon you! I lift up the pledge of allegiance from you, you may go and attempt the release of your son. ”
He replied, “If I separate from you, I will fall prey to the beasts”, to which the Imam replied,
“Then send these Yemeni garments with your other son, so that he may release him in lieu of these. ”
And he handed over five garments costing a thousand gold dinars (An Islamic gold currency varying in weight, equivalent to approximately 20 dollars) to Muhammad bin Bashar.
Husayn bin Hamadan Hazeeni has related through
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his chain of authorities from Abu Hamza Sumali, while Sayyid Bahrani has related without quoting his chain of authorities from him, that he says that I heard from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (a. s. ) that he said:
“On the night preceding his Martyrdom, my father gathered his family and companions and said, “O people of my family and my Shi’ah! Consider this night, which has come to you as a mounting Camel and save yourselves, for these people do not desire anyone else except me. Then after having killed me, they shall not pursue you. May Allah have mercy upon you! Save yourselves. Verily I lift the responsibil ity of the allegiance and pledge which you have taken at my hands. ”
Hearing this his brothers, relatives and companions unanimously said, “By Allah O our Master! O Aba Abdillah! We shall never betray you, so that people may say that we had abandoned our Imam, our chief and master until he was mar tyred. Then we would seek excuses between ourselves and Allah. And we shall not leave you until we ransom ourselves upon you. ”
Imam said, “Verily I shall be killed tomorrow and everyone from among yourselves too shall be killed with me, and none among you shall be spared. ” To which they replied, “Praise be to Allah, that He has bestowed grace upon us to assist you, and has offered distinction to us to get martyred along with you. Then do we not like that we should be along with you in your
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elevated station (in Paradise) O son of the Prophet of Allah”?
Imam replied, “May Allah reward you favorably” then he prayed for them. When it dawned all of them were martyred. ”
Then Qasim bin Hasan (a. s. ) asked, “Am I too included in the list of the martyrs”? Hearing this Imam was moved and said,
“O my dear son! How do you consider death (martyrdom in the way of Allah) to be near you”?
Qasim re plied, “It is sweeter than honey. ” Imam said,
“Verily, by Allah! May your uncle be your ransom! You are one of them, who shall be martyred along with me after having fallen prey to a severity, and my (infant) son Abdullah (Ali Asghar) shall be martyred too. ”
Hearing this Qasim asked, “O dear uncle! Then will the enemies reach the womenfolk so as to kill the suck ling child Abdullah”? Husayn replied,
“Abdullah will be killed at that time when I, absorbed in intense thirst, will come back to the tent and ask for water or honey and nothing will be available. Then I will request my child to be brought to me so that I may kiss his lips (and thereby find relief). The child will be brought and placed in my hands, and a lewd man (from among the enemies) will shoot an arrow upon his neck and the child shall raise a cry. Then his blood will get filled in my palms and I shall raise my hands to the heavens and say: O Allah! I
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forebear and leave the ac countability to You. The lances of the enemies will then be hurriedly thrown at me, while the fire in the trench dug behind the tents shall be roaring. Then I will attack them, the moment being the most bitter of my life. Then whatever Allah wills shall come forth. ”
Saying this Imam started weeping and we too could not control our tears, the voice of lamenting arose from the tents of the Progeny of the Prophet of Allah (S).
Qutubuddin Rawandi relates from Abu Hamza Sumali that Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (a. s. ) said that I was along with my father (Imam Husayn) on the night preceding his martyrdom. Then he addressed his companions thus,
“Consider this night to be an armor for yourselves, for these people desire me and after having killed me they will not turn towards you, while you are pardoned and are capable. ”
They replied, “By Allah! This shall never ever happen. ”
Imam said,
“All of you will be killed tomorrow and no one will be spared. ”
They replied, “Praise be to Allah who has bestowed grace upon us to be martyred along with you. ” Then Imam prayed for them and told them to lift up their heads. They did so and saw their status in Paradise, and Imam showed them one after the other their places therein. Thus every one was forwarding his face and chest facing the swords, so as to enter the status in Paradise.
It is related in the Amali of Shaikh Saduq from
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Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a. s. ) , who says that after the discourse of the Imam with his companions, he ordered a trench to be dug around his army. The trench was dug and filled with firewood. Then Imam ordered his son Ali Akbar (a. s. ) to fetch water, accompanied by thirty horsemen and twenty-foot soldiers, while they were in the state of severe fright and Imam was reciting the following couplet:
“Time, shame on you as a friend, at the day’s dawning and the sun’s setting, how many a companion or seeker will be a corpse, time will not be satisfied with any substitute, the matter will rest with the Mighty One, and every living creature will have to journey along my path. ”
Then he commanded his companions,
“Drink the water which is your last sustenance in this world, and perform your ablutions and take a bath. Wash your clothes, for these shall be your shrouds. ” [1]
(Irshad) Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (a. s. ) says that on the night preceding the martyrdom of my father, I was awake while my aunt Hazrat Zaynab (a. s. ) was attending to me. My father was alone in his tent, while Jaun, the re tainer of Abu Zarr Ghifari, was with him and was preparing his sword and putting it right. My father was reciting the following couplets:
“Time, shame on you as a friend, at the day’s dawning and the sun’s setting, how many a companion or seeker will be a corpse, time will not be satisfied with any substitute, the matter will rest
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with the Mighty One, and every living creature will have to journey along my path. ”
He repeated it twice or thrice and I understood what he meant and sorrow befell me but I bore it silently and realized that a calamity had befallen us. My aunt Zaynab (a. s. ) heard it too, sensitiveness and anxiety being the qualities of women, she could not control herself and tearing her clothes ran bareheaded towards my father and said, “Woe unto this tragedy! I wish death overtakes me. Today my mother Fatima (a. s. ) , my father Ali (a. s. ) and my brother Hasan (a. s. ) have departed from me. O successor of the departed ones! O source of hope for the alive ones! ”
Imam turned towards his sister and said,
“O dear sister! Do not let Shaitan take away your forbearance. ”
His eyes became full of tears and then he said,
“If a sand grouse (a type of a bird) is freed at night, it will sleep in peace. ”
Then she said, “Woe! Then will you be violently and helplessly killed? While this hurts my heart and is severe upon my life. ” Then she started beating her face and tore off her collar and fell unconscious. Then Imam arose and sprinkled water [refer Note No. 52] over her face and said,
“O dear sister! Control yourself and desire consolation from Allah alone. And know that everyone upon the earth shall die, while the dwellers of the heavens too shall perish, except the Face (Self) of Allah. Allah who has created with His power, and
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will make them alive again, and they shall all return to Him, while Allah is Unique. My grandfather was better than me, my father was better than me, and my mother was better than me. It is obligatory upon me and all Muslims to follow the example of the Prophet of Allah (S). ”
Then he consoled her with similar words and said,
“O dear sister! I request you on oath that when I am martyred, do not tear off your collar, nor beat your face or lament upon me. ”
Then he brought Hazrat Zaynab (a. s. ) and made her sit near me and then went to his companions. Then he commanded them to fasten their tents closer to one another and tie the tent-pegs together so as form a circle around them, and block the enemies entrance from three sides so that they could not confront them except from the front. Then Imam returned back to his tent and spent the entire night in Prayers, supplications and repentance in Allah’s Audience, and his companions followed his example too and started supplicating.
It is narrated that the voices of their supplication sounded like the hum ming of the bees. They were engrossed in genuflexion (Rukoo’ or bowing in Prayer) , Sujood (prostration) , standing and sitting. While this was the normal practice of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , abundance of Prayers, the excellence of morals etc. Imam was similar to what has been quoted by Imam al Mahdi (a. t. f. s. ) in Ziyarate Nahiyah:
“The deliverer of the Holy Qur’an, and the
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arms of the nation (ummah) ,
And the one who endeavored in the way of (Allah’s) obedience,
Protector of the oath and covenant,
You hated the path of the transgressors,
A Bestower upon those in trouble,
One who prolonged the Rukoo’ and Prostration,
(you remained) Abstinent from the world,
You always viewed it with the sight of the one who has to leave it soon. ”
Abu ‘Amr Ahmad bin Muhammad Qurtubi Marwani narrates in his book Iqdul Fareed, that people inquired from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (a. s. ) as to why his father had a few children. To which Imam replied,
“I am astonished as to even how could such a few children have been born, when he would recite a thousand units of Prayers daily, where had he got the time to visit his wives”?
(Manaqib) It is related that when the time of Sahr came, Imam Husayn (a. s. ) reclined his head upon a bed and dozed off. Then he awoke and said,
“Do you know what I just dreamt”?
People replied, “O son of the Prophet! What have you seen”?
Imam replied,
“I saw that some dogs have attacked me, while a pie-bald dog among them is more severe towards me. And I presume that the one who will kill me will be a leper among this nation. Then I saw my grandfather the Prophet of Allah (S) , along with the group of his companions. He addressed me: O my dear son! You are a Martyr of the Progeny of Muhammad (S). The dwellers of the heavens
and the heaven ly Angels give glad tidings to you.Tonight you shall break your fast with me, thus hasten and do not delay. These Angels have come from the heavens so as to collect your blood and preserve it in a green bottle. Verily I have derived that my end is near and it is time to depart from this world, while there is no doubt in it. ”
Tabari relates from Azdi, who relates from Abdullah bin Asim, who in turn relates from Zahhak bin Abdullah Mashriqi, who says that on the night of the tenth (of Muharram) , Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and all his companions spent the entire night in Prayers, repentance, supplications and lamenting. He says that a contingent of guards passed by us when Imam Husayn (a. s. ) was reciting the following verse of the Qur’an:
“Let not those who disbelieve think that our giving them respite is good for their selves, We only give respite to them that they may increase in sins, and for them is a disgrace ful chastisement. It is not for Allah to leave the believers in the state in which you are, until He has distinguished the wicked from the fair ones. ” (Surah aal-‘Imran, 3: 178-179)
When one of the horsemen guarding us heard this verse, he said, “By the Lord of the Ka’bah! Verily we are the fair ones (referred to in the above verse) , who have been distinguished from you. ” Zahhak says that I recognized that man and then asked Burayr bin Khuzayr whether he recognized
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him. He replied in the negative. I said, “He is Abu Harb Sabee’i Abdullah bin Shahr. He is a jester, a profligate while being of a noble descent, brave and a slayer. Sa’eed bin Qays had arrested him due to some crime of his. ” Burayr bin Khuzayr turned towards him and said, “O evil-doer! (do you assume that) Allah has included you among the fair ones”?
He asked him as to who he was, to which Burayr revealed to him his identity. He said, “Verily we are Allah’s and verily unto Him shall we return. Thus I have perished O Burayr! ” Burayr replied, “Do you repent over the great sin of your’s? By Allah! We all are the fair ones, while you all are the wicked ones. ” He replied, “I too verify the truthfulness of your words. ” Zahhak says that then I told him, “Then will not this intelligence of yours bene fit you”? He replied, “May I be your ransom! (if I do so) Then who will accompany Yazeed bin Azrah Anzee, who is presently with me. ” Hearing this Burayr said, “May Allah spoil your view and your policy! For verily you are a futile man in everything. ” Zahhak says that then Abu Harb returned back and our guard that night was Azrah bin Qays Ahmasi, who was the com mander of the horsemen.
Sayyid ibn Tawoos says that on that night twenty-two men from the ranks of Umar bin Sa’ad joined the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ).
It is related in
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Iqdul Fareed regarding Imam Husayn (a. s. ) ’s request to Umar bin Sa’ad to accept one out of the three proposals, hearing which thirty two Kufans, who were in the ranks of Umar bin Sa’ad, told him, “The grandson of the Prophet of Allah is asking you one out of the three op tions, and you disagree. ” Saying this they left his rank and came over to the Imam and fought along with him until all of them were martyred.
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[1]: The above narration cannot be relied upon due to some basic reasons:
(1) There are numerous traditions which confirm that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and his companions were martyred thirsty, while majority of Shi’ah Ulema and historians have acknowledged that access to water was stopped since the seventh of Muharram.
(2) In the above report Imam Husayn (a. s. ) commands his companions to drink the water as well as perform ablutions, take a bath and wash the clothes. It seems quite strange that Imam should have command ed thus, although the children and womenfolk were thirsty, while according to the Islamic law, during scarcity of water, it is obligatory for one to save oneself and others, rather than purify.
(3) If there was water avail able in the tents of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , then dispatching Hazrat Abbas (a. s. ) to fetch water on the day of Ashura and his subsequent martyrdom seems illogical, while Imam Husayn (a. s. ) taking his infant babe Ali Asghar (a. s. ) to the battlefield requesting for water would also seem incredible.
(4) According to certain reports it is narrated that on the night of Ashura, Burayr bin Khuzayr Hamadani, a loyal companion of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , tried to fetch water after a fierce fight with the enemies. He, accompanied by only three others, had to face the powerful contingent of Yazid’s forces deputed to guard the river. A single water skin was finally brought to the tents and all the children crowded around it frantically trying to quench their thirst. Some were pressing themselves upon it while others falling upon it and suddenly the mouth of the water skin flung open and all the water flowed out on the earth. All the children started weeping and Burayr too could not control his tears. (Ref. Me‘atayn fil Maqtalal Husayn - Allamah Gulam Hasnain Kantoori).
(5) In the above report of Shaikh Saduq, Imam commanded his companions to drink water, perform ablutions, have bath and wash clothes, but there is no direct reference that the companions finally did it or succeed in getting the water. Shaikh Muhammad Mahdi Mazandarani, in his book Ma’aliyas Sibtayn refutes the claim that there was water available. Thus it can be concluded that there was no water available in the tents of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) since the seventh of Muharram. Allah knows best.
Relating to the events of the day of Ashura’, the array of the two armies and Imam Husayn (a. s. ) ’s remonstration amidst the people of Kufa
point
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) recited the morning Prayers with his companions. After finishing the Prayers he stood up and delivered a short sermon. He praised and glorified Allah and said,
“Verily Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, has intended that you be martyred as also myself, thus you should forebear. ”
This narrative has been quoted by Mas’oodi in Isbatul Wasiyyah.
(Malhoof) Then Imam called for the Prophet’s horse named Murtajaz and mounted it and prepared his companions for battle and positioned them selves.
(Irshad) There were thirty two horsemen and forty foot-soldiers along with him.
It is related from Imam Muhammad al Baqir (a. s. ) that there were forty five horsemen and a hundred foot-soldiers with him. Besides there are others reports regarding it.
It is related in Isbatul Wasiyyah that, “The number of the people with Imam on that day was sixty one. Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, assisted his Religion with a thousand men from the beginning until the end. ” When the Imam (a. s. ) was questioned regarding its interpretation, he said that from among them (the thousand)
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three hundred and thirteen were among the companions of Taloot, three hundred and thirteen among the Prophet’s companions in the battle of Badr, three hundred and thirteen shall be among the com panions of Imam al Mahdi (a. t. f. s. ) , while the remaining sixty one were martyred along with the Imam Husayn (a. s. ) (in Karbala). ”
(Irshad) Imam Husayn (a. s. ) designated Zuhayr bin Qayn in charge of the right wing and Habib bin Mazahir in charge of the left wing, and handed over the standard of the army to his brother Abbas (a. s. ). They positioned themselves in front of the tents, with their backs towards them. Then Imam commanded that the firewood, which was kept behind the tents, be put in the moat dug at night behind the tents and set it on fire, lest the enemies might attack from behind.
Umar bin Sa’ad arranged his troops on the morning of the tenth. (Kamil, Tabari). He appointed Abdullah bin Zuhayr Azdi in charge of (the unit of) Madina. Besides he designated Qays bin Ash’as in charge over the (unit of the) tribes of Rabi’ah and Kinda, Abdul Rahman bin Abu Sabarah Hanafi over Raba’, Mazhaj and Asad, Hurr bin Yazeed Riyahi over Tameem and Hamadan.
All of them escorted Umar in the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) until the end except Hurr, who went over to the Imam and attained martyrdom along with him. Umar also designated ‘Amr bin Hajjaj Zubaydi in charge of the right wing, Shimr bin Ziljawshan in charge of the left wing,
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Urwah bin Qays Ahmasi as the chief of the horsemen, Shabas bin Rab’ee Yarboo’ee as chief of the foot-soldiers, and handed over the standard of the army to his retainer Durayd.
Abu Makhnaf relates from ‘Amr bin Murrah Jamali, who says that Abi Salah Hanafi told him, that a retainer of Abdul Rahman bin Abd Rabbah Ansari told him, that I was along with my master, when the army prepared themselves for battle and turned towards Imam Husayn (a. s. ). Then Imam ordered a tent to be pitched and a water bag to be brought and a large cup be filled with water. He entered the tent and applied the Noorah (an admixture of lime and water used as a hair remover in the olden days). [1]
My master Abdul Rahman and Burayr bin Khuzayr Hamadani were standing on the door of the tent of Imam besides one another and desired that each one of them would get the opportunity to apply the Noorah immediately after the Imam. Burayr joked with Abdul Rahman, to which he said, “Leave me alone, for this is no time for vain speech. ”
Burayr replied, “Those acquainted with me know well that by Allah I have never resorted to vain gossips in my youth nor in my old age. But I am rejoicing over what is to come forth upon me. By Allah! There is no distance between us and the Hoorul Ein, except that the army might pierce their swords unto us and I befriend to be
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killed by their swords. ”
Then when Imam completed applying, we went and applied the Noorah. Then Imam Husayn (a. s. ) mounted his horse and called for the Qur’an and placed it in front of him. The companions of the Imam fought severely in front of him, and when I saw them falling upon the ground, I ran away (in fright) leaving them behind.
Abu Makhnaf relates from Abu Khalid Kabeli, and Shaikh Mufeed has related from our master Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (a. s. ) that when the army proceed ed towards Imam Husayn (a. s. ) in the morning, he raised his hands towards the heavens and said,
“O Allah! You are my support in all severities and are my hope in all adversities. And You are my support and reservoir in all unpleasantaries which befalls me. Whatever numerous grief comes to heart, remedies blocked, and friends (having) deserted, and enemies rejoicing, I have brought forth to You and complain to You regarding them, and I do not turn to anyone except You. And You warded them off and sufficed. You are the Master of all blessings and the Possessor of all virtues, and the last Resort of all desires. ”
Then the army advanced towards Imam Husayn (a. s. ) surrounding his tents.
(Tabari) Azdi says that Abdullah bin Asim has related from Abdullah bin Zahhak Mashriqi that he said, that when the army advanced towards us and saw the moat, which we had dug filled with fire, they could not attack us from behind. Suddenly a man, riding
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a horse and well-equipped with ammuni tion, advanced towards us and without uttering a word inspected the tents. Then he retreated back and called out, “O Husayn! You have hastened to wards the fire before the day of Qiyamah (Allah’s refuge). ” Imam said,
“Is he Shimr bin Ziljawshan”?
The companions replied in the affirmative. (Irshad) Imam said,
“O son of a goat-herdess woman! You are more worthy of it. ”
Muslim bin Awsaja attempted to shoot an arrow at him but Imam stopped him from doing so. Muslim said, “Please let me shoot at him, for this wretched man is one of the great oppressors and Allah has made it possible for me to kill him. ” Imam replied,
“Do not shoot your arrow, I do not befriend that the battle may begin from my side. ”
(Tabari) Imam Husayn (a. s. ) possessed a horse named Lahiq, which he had given to his son Ali (Akbar) to ride. When the infantry advanced closer, Imam called for his Camel and mounted it while calling out in a loud voice, which was heard by most men:
“O people! Listen to what I say and do not make haste, so that I may fulfill the responsibility (to counsel you) which rests upon me and that I may submit my plea regarding my arrival towards you. Then if you accept my plea and believe my words while giving me jus tice, then you shall be fortunate and there will be no excuse for you to fight with me. And if you do not accept my word and deal
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unjustly with me, then: (Tabari, Kamil)
‘Muster therefore your designs and (gather) your accomplices, then let not your designs be dubious, then execute on me and give no respite (to me) ’ (Surah al-Yunus, 10: 71).
And ‘Verily my Protector is Allah Who sent down the Book (Qur’an) and He guards the virtuous ones’ (Surah al-A’araaf, 7: 196). ”
When his sisters heard his words, they started weeping and wailing, along with his daughters. Imam sent his brother Abbas bin Ali (a. s. ) along with his son Ali (Akbar) to console and quite them. Then he said,
“By my life! They still have a lot more to weep. ”
And when they became silent (Irshad) Imam praised and glorified Allah and remembered Him as He aught to be remembered. Then he sent salutations upon the Holy Prophet (S) , Angels and the other Prophets (a. s. ). He spoke with such eloquence that no one had ever done so before him nor after him. Then he said,
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) ’s sermon on the day of Ashura’
“Now then! Consider my family, and ponder as to who I am and then admonish yourselves. Then do you consider that killing me and plundering my sanctity and respect is lawful for you? Am I not the grandson of your Prophet and the son of his Vicegerent and cousin, who was the foremost in believing and the bearer of witness upon everything that the Prophet had brought from Allah? Was not Hamza, the chief of Martyrs, the uncle of my father? Was not Ja’far, who flies with two wings in Paradise, my Uncle? Did not
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the Tradition of the Prophet reach you in which he has said about me and my brother that both of us are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise?
Then if you agree to what I say, and verily what I have said is nothing but the truth, then it is better, for by Allah, from the time I have realized that Allah dislikes the liars, I have never ever spoken a lie. Then if you do not believe to what I say, there are alive among you the companions of the Prophet. Go to them and ask them and they shall bear testimony to the truthfulness of my speech. Ask Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari, Abu Sa’eed Khu dri, Sahl bin Sa’ad Sa’edi, Zayd bin Arqam and Anas bin Malik, they will tell you that they have heard this tradition from the Prophet of Allah regarding me and my brother. Is not this sufficient to refrain you from shedding my blood”?
Then Shimr bin Ziljawshan, the accursed said, “I worship Allah (only) by lips (half heartedly) , and do not understand what you say. ” Hearing this Habib bin Mazahir said, “I can see that you worship Allah with seventy types of doubts, and I bear testimony that you have spoken the truth and you cannot understand what the Imam says, for Allah has placed a seal (of ignorance) upon your heart. ”
Imam continued,
“Then if you doubt this, do you even doubt that I am the grandson of the Prophet of Allah (S)?
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By Allah! There is no other grandson of the Prophet in the east or the west except myself from among yourselves or anyone else. Woe be to you! Have I killed anyone from among you whose revenge you desire? Or have I usurped the wealth of anyone or hurt anyone whose retribution you desire from me”?
When no one answered him, he called out in a loud voice,
“O Shabas bin Rab’ee! O Hajjar bin Abjar! O Qays bin Ash’as! O Yazeed bin Haris! Have you not written let ters to me saying that the fruits had ripened and the surrounding earth had blossomed, and to come to a huge army prepared for me”?
They replied that they had not written any such letters. Imam said,
“Glory be to Allah! Yes by Allah, you had written it. ”
Then he continued,
“O people! Then now if you do not like my arrival, then leave me so that I may go away to a place of refuge. ”
Qays bin Ash’as said, “We do not know what you say. Then submit yourselves to your cousins (Bani Umayyah) , they shall deal with you in a manner which you like. ” Imam replied,
“By Allah! I shall not give my hands in yours like a base man, nor shall I flee away like a slave. ”
Then he called out in a loud voice,
“O servants of Allah! ‘And verily, I take refuge with my Lord and yours, lest you stone me (to death) ’ (Surah ad-Dukhaan, 44: 20) and I take refuge with my Lord and
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yours, from every arrog ant, who does not believe in the day of reckoning. ”
Then the Imam dismount ed from his Camel and commanded Uqbah bin Sam’an to fasten its legs.
Zuhair bin Qayn’s address amidst the people of Kufa
(Tabari) Azdi says that As’ad Shami related to me from one of his tribes man named Kaseer bin Abdullah Sha’abi, who was present in Karbala, that when we laid siege upon Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , Zuhayr bin Qayn came towards us riding a horse with a thick tail, and he was well-equipped with arms.
He said, “Beware of the wrath of Allah. It is obligatory upon a Muslim to advice his brother Muslim. We are still brothers of one another and follow ers of the same Religion. Until the swords have not separated us, we are of the same creed, thus advising you is obligatory upon me. But when the swords come in between us, the bond of brotherhood will break off, then we will be another nation and you another one. Allah the Almighty has tied us by means of the progeny of Prophet Muhammad (S) so that He may be aware as to what you and we do. We now invite you to assist him (Imam Husayn) and call upon you to abandon the unruly son of the unruly father Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, from whom you have witnessed and seen nothing except evil. They pierce rods into your eyes, amputate your hands and feet, they hang you upon the gallows and cut off your ears and nose. And they kill the virtuous and
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the intellectuals among you viz. Hujr bin Adi and his compan ions, Hani bin Urwah, and others similar to them. ”
The narrator says that when they heard this speech, they started abusing Zuhayr and praising Ubaydullah and said, “By Allah! We shall not retreat back from here until we have killed your master and all those who are along with him or to dispatch him along with his companions to the commander Ubaydullah in peace. ”
Then Zuhayr said, “O servants of Allah! The son of Fatima (a. s. ) is more worthy for friendship and aid than the son of Sumayyah. If you do not assist him, then by Allah give him refuge and do not kill him. Take him to the presence of his cousin Yazid. By my life! Yazid will be pleased with you if you do not kill him. ” Hearing this Shimr shot an arrow at him and said, “Be quite, may your voice be subdued! Verily you have exhausted us through your excessive speech. ”
Zuhayr replied, “O son of a nomad! I am not speaking to you. Verily you are an animal and by Allah! I am of the opinion that you cannot even recite two verses of the Qur’an accurately. Then I give glad tidings to you of the disgrace and irksome wrath on the day of Qiyamah. ” Shimr said, “Very soon Allah will kill you and your mas ter. ”
Zuhayr said, “Are you frightening me by death? By Allah! Dying with the Imam is more preferable in my eyes
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than immortality with you. ” Then Zuhayr turned towards the other people and said, “O slaves of Allah! Beware lest these base oppressors and their accomplices may deceive you. By Allah! The intercession of Muhammad (S) shall not reach them, who will spill the blood of his Progeny and his family, and kill those who assist them or defend their sanctity. ” Then a person called out to him saying, “Abu Abdullah (Imam Husayn) says that by my life O Zuhayr! Return back. Verily you have advised and admonished like the believer of the people of Fira’un had advised and admonished his community. ”
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[1]: Refer Note No. 52
Speech of Burayr bin Khuzayr
It is stated in Biharul Anwar that Muhammad bin Abu Talib says, that the army of Umar bin Sa’ad mounted their horses and came forward. Imam too mounted his horse, and accompanied with some of his companions, advanced towards them. He told Burayr bin Khuzayr, who was riding in his forefront, “You may speak with these people. ” Thus Burayr came forward and said, “O people! Fear Allah, verily the trust of Prophet Muhammad (S) is present amongst you. They are his Progeny, Family, Daughters and the House hold (Ahlul Bayt). Then say as to what is in your hearts and how do you desire treating them”?
They replied, “We desire that we hand him over to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, so that he may decide as to what is to be done with him. ” Burayr said, “Do you not agree to let them return to the place they came from? O people
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of Kufa! Have you forgotten the letters which you addressed to him, and the pledge which you had given him with Allah as the witness? Woe be to you! You invited the Household of your Prophet and pledged to sacrifice your life for him, and when they have come, you intend handing them over to the son of Ziyad, and have stopped the access of water to him? How badly have you treated the Progeny of your Prophet after his death. What has happened to you? May Allah not quench your thirst on the day of Qiyamah, for verily you are a band of thorough wicked men. ”
Some men from among the people of Kufa said, “We do not understand as to what you speak. ” Burayr replied, “Praise be to Allah, Who has made me fair-sighted among you. O Allah! I disassociate myself near You from their affairs. O Allah! Instill fear in them until they come to Your presence, thus You may be wrathful towards them. ” Hearing this they started shooting arrows at him and Burayr retreated back. Imam proceeded further and stood in front of them and looked at their ranks as a calm torrent. He saw Umar bin Sa’ad standing amidst the noblemen of Kufa and said,
“Thanks is due to Allah, Who has created this world, and has made it an abode of mortality and decadence, and who changes it’s people from one state to another. Be guiled is the one who falls prey to the deceit of
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this world, and he is unfortunate who is misled by it. Let this world not beguile you, for it disappoints the one who relies upon it. The one who covets in it, she changes it to empty-handedness. I observe that you have gathered to accom plish the task which invites the wrath of Allah upon you. He has turned away His Face from you and has engulfed you in His wrath, and has turned away His blessings away from you. Thus our Lord is the best Lord, while you are the worst slaves. You have pledged to obey Allah and have believed in His Prophet Muhammad (s. a. w. s) , even then you have attacked his Household and Progeny and intend killing them. (Irshad) Shaitan has gained control over you and made you forget Allah the Almighty. Woe be to you and your course and aims! Verily we are Allah’s and verily unto Him shall we return. This is a nation that has accepted infidelity after having accepted faith, thus be away O (men of) the oppressive nation”!
Then Umar bin Sa’ad said, “Woe be to you! Answer him, for he is the son of Ali. Then if he stands for the entire day facing you, his speech will not end nor will he be exhausted. ” Then Shimr proceeded further and said, “O Husayn! What is this that you speak, explain to us so that me may under stand. ” Imam replied,
“The essence of my speech is that I exhort you to fear Allah and do not
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kill me. For my murder and destroying my sanctity is not valid upon you. For I am the son of the daughter of your Prophet (S) and my grandmother is Khadija (a. s. ) , the wife of your Prophet. You may have heard my grandfather say, that ‘Hasan and Husayn are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise. ”
It is stated in Biharul Anwar, that in Manaqib it is related through chain of authorities, that Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Sulayman bin Abdullah bin Hasan relates from his father, who in turn relates from his father, from Abdullah that he said, that Umar bin Sa’ad prepared his army to attack Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and arrayed the ranks and arranged them, and hoisted the standard at it’s appropriate places.
And after having selected persons to command the right and left wing, he turned towards his army men and ordered them to remain firm upon their places and get hold of Imam Husayn (a. s. ). Then they surrounded Imam (a. s. ) from all sides, he came out and went near them and signaled them to remain silent, but they refused to oblige. Then the Imam said,
“Woe be to you! What has happened to you that you do not remain silent and listen to what I say? I invite you to the path of righteousness. The one who obeys me shall be wise, while the one who disobeys me shall face perdition. All of you are disobeying me and not paying heed to my words, this is because
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your belies have become full of unlawful, and your hearts have been sealed. Woe be to you! Are you not just and are you unable to listen”?
Hearing this people started reprimanding each other for not keeping silent. Then Imam arose and delivered a sermon which will, Allah willing, be quoted hereafter (as has been related by Sayyid ibn Tawoos in Malhoof).
Then he called out, “Where is Umar bin Sa’ad”? Someone called him, but he disliked facing the Imam. Imam told him,
“O Umar! Do you intend killing me so that the illegitimate son of an illegitimate father will bestow the governorship of Ray and Jurjan to you? By Allah! Your desire shall never be fulfilled, and this will surely happen. Do whatever you desire, for you shall never gain delight after (killing) me, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter. It is as if I see your head over a lance in Kufa, and the children are throwing stones while aiming at it. ”
Umar was highly enraged by the Imam’s words, then he turned his face away from him and told his army, “What are you waiting for? Attack them, for they are nothing more than a morsel. ”
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) ’s address to the people of Kufa
Sayyid ibn Tawoos relates that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) mounted his Camel (while some are of the opinion that it was a horse) and signaled them to remain silent. Then he praised and glorified Allah and extolled Him such as was due to Him. He sent salutations upon the Angels, Prophets and Apostles (a. s. ) with
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great eloquence. Then he said,
“O people! May you be ruined and afflicted. You enthusiastically invited us to assist you, and we has tened to do so. Then now you have unsheathed those very swords, which we had given to you, and you have kindled the fire for us which we ourselves had kindled for your enemies and ours. You have sided with your own enemies and have proceeded to fight your friends along with them, although they have not acted with justice with you nor do you expect any kindness and fairness from them. A hundred woes be upon you! You have betrayed us at the time when the swords are still in their sheaths, the hearts in peace, opin ions rightly apparent and free from error. But you are like the locusts, who have hastened towards battle, and are like the moths, who fall upon one another. May you be ruined O adorers of female slaves, those you have abandoned their ranks, those who have shun the Qur’an, those who have modified the right speech, the pillars of evil, O the ones enticed by Shaitan, and the severers of Divine codes! You side with them and betray us? Yes, verily treachery and breach of trust has been your ancient cus tom, which had been established by your fathers and the branches thereof have come forth from it. You are the filthy and unpleasant fruits of it which suffocates it’s own grower and are pleasing to the oppressors. Beware! Now this illegitimate son
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of the illegitimate father (Ubaydullah bin Ziyad) has stationed me between unsheathing the swords or then bear humil iation, and far be it that we accept humiliation. Verily Allah, His Proph et, and the Sacred Laps which have nursed us, the modest and those who abhor disgrace, disagree to it that we bow down to the ignoble men, and they exhort us to exhaust being killed mainly in the battlefield over it. Beware I shall fight you, even when there are a few men with me, and although some have deserted me. ”
Here it seems appropriate to quote that which has been cited by Ibn Abil Hadeed Mu’tazili in his Sharhe Nahjul Balagha. He says in context to those who refuse to bow down in the face of tyranny and disgrace: “The Noble Master, who has taught the lesson of ardor and has exalted being honorably killed under the sword over humiliation is Abu Abdullah Husayn bin Ali bin Abi Talib (a. s. ). Immunity was offered to him and his companions, but he did not accept disgrace” (then he quotes the previous sermon of Imam).
He (Ibn Abil Hadeed) continues that “I heard Abu Zayd Yahya bin Zayd Alawi, the leader of Basra say, that the couplets which were compiled by Abu Tamam in favor of Muhammad bin Hameed Ta’i fit well for Imam Husayn (a. s. ): It was easy to skip death, but he was sent back towards it by the soul, who despised oppression, as if fear was apostasy, thus he remained firm
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in the whirlwind of death, he told death that there is resurrection under your sword, he wore the dress of death, the night had not yet ap peared when it turned into a green silk brocade dress. ”
Sibt ibn Jawzee says, that my grandfather has quoted in Tabsirah, that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) went towards Kufa for he saw the Divine laws of Islam being broken, hence he intended to make it’s basic laws firm and strong. Then when they surrounded him from all sides and ordered him to bow down to the command of (Ubaydullah bin) Ziyad, he refused to do so and exalted Martyrdom over humiliation and disgrace, while the ardent souls are thus.
Then he quoted some couplets: “When they saw that some lives are humiliat ing for them and honorable death is not unlawful, they refused to taste the savor of such a life, which contains humiliation, then they died a death which was free from reproach, there is no astonishment that the accursed dogs of Arabs and non-Arabs devour the male Lion, for the guile of Wahshi was the reason for Hamza’s death, while Ali was murdered by the sword of Ibn Muljim. ”
Here we quote some couplets composed in praise of Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) by Sayyid Hayder in lamentation of Imam Husayn (a. s. ): “The nation coveted and enticed that he should be oppressed, but Allah and the swift sword refused it, how can he bow his head in front of baseness and humiliation, who has never submitted to anyone
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except the Almighty, he refused but to live a life of honor and to clean the battlefield so that he may be cast upon it and lie down, he solely fought along with the army, each component of his being a huge army itself, he married off the people’s souls to the sword, whose dower was death and henna blood. ”
Then Imam Husayn (a. s. ) recited the couplets of Farwah bin Maseek Muradi:
“Should we defeat our enemy, we will go on defeating them, but should we be defeated, it will be only once, tell those who rejoice in our affliction: wake up, for you too will end up like us, when death lifts it’s grip off the necks of some people, it surely will cling to others, then by Allah! you will not remain on the earth longer than the time needed to ride a horse, then the earth will wheel on you like a millstone and turn like a pivot, this has been handed over to me by my father (a. s. ) , who had got it from my grandfather (S) ,
‘Muster therefore your designs and (gather) your accomplices, then let not your designs be dubious, then execute on me and give no respite (to me). ’ (Surah al-Yunus, 10: 71)
‘Verily I rely on Allah, my Lord and your Lord, there is no living creature, but He holds it by it’s forelocks (is in His control) ’,
‘Verily my Lord is on the Right Path. ’ (Surah al-Hud, 11: 56)
O Allah! Hold back the rains of
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the heavens from them, and let them be entangled in the drought (similar as the time) of Prophet Yusuf (a. s. ) , and appoint a man of Bani Saqeeh (referred to Mukhtar bin Abu Ubaydah Saqafi) over them, who would pour the bitter cup into their throats. For they have belied and deserted us. You are our Lord, we rely upon You and we return towards You, and Your Audience is the con clusion (of everything). ”
Then he alighted from his mount and sat on the horse of the Prophet, named Murtajaz, and started arraying the group of his companions.
(Malhoof) Umar bin Sa’ad came forward and shot an arrow towards the army of Imam and said, “Bear witness in the presence of the commander, that I was the first person to shoot an arrow. ” Then those under his command started shooting arrows in large number which appeared like birds. Imam turned towards his companions and said,
“May Allah bestow His blessings upon you! Arise to face the inevitable death, and these arrows are the messengers from the army, which is proceeding towards you. ”
Then they attacked them in the part of the day and a group of the companions of Imam were killed.
The narrators say that then Imam Husayn (a. s. ) caught hold of his beard and said,
“Allah’s wrath became severe upon the Jews when they attributed a son to Him, and His anger descended upon the Christians when they made Him the third of the three gods, while His wrath descended upon the fire
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worshippers (Magicians) when they worshipped the sun and the moon instead of Him. And now the wrath of Allah shall befall this community, who has united to kill the grandson of the Prophet. Beware! By Allah! I shall not agree to their desires until I meet my Lord drenched in my blood. ”
Our Master Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a. s. ) relates, that I have heard from my father Imam Muhammad al Baqir (a. s. ) saying, that when Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and Umar bin Sa’ad (may Allah’s curse be upon him) came face to face with one another and battle ensued, Allah sent victory (in the form of Angels) for Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , who were flapping their wings over his head. They gave him choice of victory over the enemies or Allah’s Audience, and he gave preference to Allah’s Audience.
The Noble master and the author of numerous books, Sayyid Abdullah bin Shubbar Hasani Kazmee has written in his book Jilaul Uyoon, that at that moment a group of the genie came to assist Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and asked permission to fight, but he did not permit them and preferred Martyrdom with honor over the life of humiliation of this world. Salutations be upon him.
Praise of the battle of the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and their Martyrdom (May Allah be pleased with them)
point
Abul Hasan Sa’eed bin Hibatullah, renowned as Qutubuddin Rawandi, relates through his chain of authorities from Imam Muhammad al Baqir (a. s. ) , that before his martyrdom, Imam Husayn (a. s. ) told his companions that his grandfather the Holy Prophet (S) had told him,
“O my dear son! You shall be killed
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at Iraq, and it is a place where the Prophets, their suc cessors and Apostles have met one another and it is called Amoora. You shall be martyred at that place along with a group of your companions. Your battle is frigid and serene. ” Thus have glad tidings that by Allah if they kill us, we shall go to the presence of our Prophet (S).
Abu Hamza Sumali, relates from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (a. s. ) that he said:
On the night preceding his Martyrdom, my father gathered his family and companions and said, ‘O people of my family and my Shi’ah! Consider this night, which has come to you as a mounting Camel and save yourselves, for these people do not desire anyone else except me. Then if they kill me, they shall not pursue you. May Allah have mercy upon you! Save yourselves. Verily I lift the responsibility of the allegiance and pledge which you have taken at my hands. ’”
Hearing this his brothers, relatives and compan ions unanimously said, “By Allah O our Master! O Aba Abdillah! We shall never betray you, so that people may say that we had abandoned our Imam, our Chief and Master, until he was martyred. Then we would seek excuses between ourselves and Allah. And we shall not leave you until we ransom ourselves upon you. ” Imam said,
“Verily I shall be killed tomorrow and everyone from among yourselves too shall be killed with me, and none among you shall be spared. ”
To which they replied, “Praise be
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to Allah, that He has bestowed grace upon us to assist you, and has offered distinction to us to get martyred along with you. Then do we not endear that we should be along with you in your elevated station (in Paradise) O son of the Prophet of Allah”? Imam replied,
“May Allah reward you favorably”
then he prayed for them. When it dawned, all of them were martyred.
Shaikh Saduq relates from Salim bin Abu Ja’dah, who says that I heard Ka’ab al Ehbar say that, “It is stated in our books that a man from among the sons of Prophet Muhammad (s. a. w. s) would be killed, and they (the martyrs) would enter Paradise even before the sweat of the horses of his companions dry, while the Hoories will fondle them. ” Thus when Imam Hasan (a. s. ) passed by us, we asked him as to was he the one referred to (regard ing it in their books) , and he replied in the negative, and then when Imam Husayn (a. s. ) passed by us, we asked him the same question and he replied in the affirmative.
It is related that it was inquired from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a. s. ) that, “Please relate to us the state and the self sacrifice of the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ). ” Imam replied,
“The veil had been lifted off their eyes and they saw their places in Paradise. Hence they excelled one another in sacrificing their lives, so as to hasten to meet the Hoories and be fondled by them and reach
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their places in Paradise. ”
This has been referred to in Ziyarat-e-Nahiyah. After quoting the names of the Martyrs, it is said,
“I bear witness that Allah lifted the veils off your eyes and presented you with spreaded beds and enormous gifts. ”
It is related through successive chain of narrators in Ma’aniyal Akhbar from Imam Muhammad at Taqi (a. s. ) , who relates from his Blessed Ancestors (a. s. ) reaching Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (a. s. ) , who says that: When the matter of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) turned severe, his fellow travelers saw him in a different state, unlike others. For as much as the severity increased, the color of their faces became pale and they would shiver, while their hearts would be frightful. But Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , and some of his distin guished companions were cheerful, at peace and tranquilled. They were telling one another, “Do you not see, they do not fear death the least. ”
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) said,
“Forebear, O sons of noblemen! Death is nothing but a bridge, which would take you from the place of hardship and severity to the spacious Paradise and eternal bliss. Then who among you is such that does not desire to be free from the prison and hasten towards the palaces? While death for your enemies is such, that they shall be transferred from the palace to the prison and fall prey to the wrath of Allah. I have heard my father Imam Ali (a. s. ) , who relates from the Holy Prophet (s. a. w. s) that he said, that this world is
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a prison for the believers and Paradise for the disbelievers, while death is a bridge for them (believers) to enter Para dise and for them (disbelievers) to enter hell. I have not lied nor have I been told a lie. ”
Regarding the pagans of Quraysh and their mutiny in astray and perdition, Allah says,
“And indeed has come unto them some of the tidings wherein is restraint (from evil) , Consummate wisdom, but (they) availed not (of) the warnings. ” (Surah al-Qamar 54: 4-5)
Similar was the case with the army of Umar bin Sa’ad. Then the repeated speeches of our Master Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and his companions, counseling them, completing their proofs (to counsel them) and eliminating their error, but they were not benefited.
Hurr joins Imam Husayn (a. s. )
When Hurr saw that the people have resolved to kill Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , and when he heard Imam calling out:
“Is there none who would hasten to assist us in the name of Allah? Is there none who would defend the Household of the Prophet”?
Then Hurr told Umar bin Sa’ad, “O Umar! Then will you really fight this man”? He replied, “Yes, by Allah! The battle, which if goes smoothly, will result in the rolling of heads and cutting off the hands. ” Hurr said, “Then is his proposal unacceptable to you”? Umar replied, “If the situation would have been in my hands, I would certainly have yielded to his request, but your commander will not accept it. ”
Hurr then left him and stood alone far away from others, while his fellow traveler, named
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Qurrah bin Qays, was along with him. Hurr said, “O Qurrah! Have you fed your horse today”? He replied in the negative. Hurr said, “Then do you not desire quenching it’s thirst”? Qurrah says that I doubted that perhaps he wanted to skip away from the battle and did not like that I should see him going away, hence I said, “I shall now be doing so. ” Hearing this Hurr moved away from there. Qurrah says that, “By Allah! If only Hurr had revealed to me what he intended, I too would have accompanied him to the presence of Imam Husayn (a. s. ). ” Then slowly Hurr started moving closer to Imam Husayn (a. s. ).
Muhajir bin Aws told him, “O son of Yazid! What do you intend? Do you intend to lay siege”? Hurr did not answer him but was shivering. Muhajir said, “Verily your state seems dubious. I have never ever seen you in any battle in a similar state in which you are now. If I would have been ques tioned as to who is the most valorous among the Kufans, I would not hesi tate to take your name. What is this state I presently see you in”? Hurr replied, “I find myself between Paradise and hell. And by Allah! I shall not exalt anything else over Paradise, even if I be cut into pieces or burnt. ” Then Hurr struck his horse (Malhoof) and turned to go towards Imam Husayn (a. s. )
Hurr had kept his hands on his head (like a prisoner)
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and was saying, “O Allah! I am returning towards You, thus You accept me, for I have put fear into the hearts of Your friends and the children of the Prophet’s grandson. ”
(Irshad, Kamil) Tabari says that when he neared Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and his companions, he overturned his shield and saluted them. Then he went to Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and said, “May I be your ransom O son of the Prophet of Allah! I am the one who had stopped you from returning back and had accompanied you all along and had forced you to alight here. But I had not known that these people would directly refuse your proposal and bring you to this present state. By Allah! If I had known that they would do to you such, I would not have undertaken that what I have done. Hence now I apologize to Allah regarding that what I have done, then do you think that my repentance would be accepted”?
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) replied,
“May Allah accept your repentance! Thus alight from your horse. ”
Hurr replied, “It is better for me to be mounted and serve you and fight with them, thus ultimately I will have to alight from my horse (when I am wounded). ” Then Imam replied,
“May your Lord have mercy upon you, do as you desire. ”
Then he stood in front of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and said, “O Kufans! May your mothers be deprived of you! You invited the righteous slave of Allah, then when he
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came to you, you handed him over to the enemy, when you had intended to defend him with your lives? Then now you have begun to fight him so as to kill him. You have taken hold of him and seized his collar, and have surrounded him from all sides so that he may not be able to escape to the vast towns of Allah.
He is now left as a prisoner amongst you, then he cannot benefit himself nor can he ward off the evil from it. Then you have stopped him, along with his women-folk, his children and family, from the waters of Euphrates, which is open for the Jews, Christians and Sabians, and the pigs and dogs of Iraq roll therein, while they would perish because of thirst? How badly have you behaved with the Progeny of Muhammad (S) after his death. May Allah not quench your thirst on the day of extreme thirst (Qiyamah)! ” Hearing this some of the soldiers attacked him and started shooting arrows at him, then Hurr came and stood in front of Imam Husayn (a. s. )
It is quoted in Tazkirah of Sibt ibn Jawzi, that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) then called out to Shabas bin Rab’ee, Hajjar bin Abjar, Qays bin Ash’as and Yazeed bin Hars and said,
“Did you not write letters to me”?
They replied, “We do not know what you say. ” Hurr bin Yazeed, who was their leader, said, “Yes by Allah! We had written to you and we are the ones who
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have brought you here. Thus may Allah keep away vain and the vain-doers. By Allah! I shall not prefer this world over the Hereafter”, saying this he turned his horse and entered the ranks of Imam Husayn (a. s. ). Imam said,
“Welcome! You are at liberty in this world as well as the Hereafter. ”
(Ibn Nima) It is related that Hurr told Imam Husayn (a. s. ) that, “When Ubaydullah commanded me to come towards you and I came out from the palace, I heard a voice calling out at me from behind saying: Have glad tidings of goodness O Hurr! I turned around to see but there was none visible. Then I wondered that by Allah, what glad tidings is this, for I am proceeding to a combat with Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , and I had not yet intended assist ing you. ” Imam replied,
“But now you have (ultimately) reached goodness. ”
Then Umar bin Sa’ad called out, “O Durayd! Bring the standard closer. ” When he brought it closer, Umar fixed an arrow in his bow and shot it saying, “Be a witness that I am the one to shoot the first arrow. ” Then others followed suit and challenged for combat.
Muhammad bin Abu Talib says that there was none among the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , who was not wounded by it. It is said that after the rain of arrows, only a few companions of Imam (a. s. ) survived, while fifty companions attained martyrdom.
(Tabari) Azdi says that Abu Janab, from the clan of Bani Kalb, related to me
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that in our tribe there was a man named Abdullah bin Umayr, from the clan of Bani Aleem. He had started living in Kufa and owned a house on the head of the well of Bani Ja’ad, from the tribe of Hamadan. His wife, who was from the clan of ‘Amr bin Qasit, was named Umm Wahab, the daughter of Abd. He saw an army parading in Nukhaylah preparing for the battle against Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , the grandson of the Prophet of Allah (S). Abdullah says that, “By Allah! I had an intense desire to fight against the polytheists. But now I desire fighting those who have decided to fight the grandson of the Prophet. While my reward with Allah would not be less than that for fighting against the polytheists. ”
Then he went to his wife and related to her what he had heard and also informed her his desire. She replied, “Verily whatever you have decided is right. May your Allah guide you towards righteousness in all your matters, go and take me too along with you. ” He then withdrew and reached Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and remained with him until Umar bin Sa’ad shot the arrows towards them and his army followed suit.
Then Yasar, the retainer of Ziyad, and Salim, the retainer of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, stepped into the battlefield and called out for combat. Hearing this Habib bin Mazahir and Burayr (bin Khuzayr) stood up to reply, but Imam Husayn (a. s. ) signaled them to sit down. Then
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Abdullah bin Umayr Kalbi stood up and asked permission to fight them. Imam saw him to be a tawny man with a tall stature, sturdy arms and broad shoulders, he said,
“In my opinion he is a fatal match, then you may leave if you desire meeting his challenge. ”
When Abdullah went towards them, they asked, “Who are you”? Abdullah related to them his lineage and they said, “We do not recognize you. Zuhayr bin Qayn, Habib bin Mazahir or Buzayr bin Khuzayr should have come. ” Yasar was standing with a naked sword near Salim. Abdullah said, “O illegitimate son! Do you disdain fighting one man? Whoever shall come to fight you shall surely be better than you”, saying this he attacked Yasar instantly and striking him with his sword killed him.
When he was engaged in striking at him, Salim attacked him. Someone called out to him saying, “This slave is lingering behind you. ” Abdullah was heedless until Salim galloped upon him and he struck at him with his sword. Abdullah stretched his left hand forward, the fingers of which got cut. Then Abdullah attacked him and killed him.
Then Abdullah recited the Rajaz, having killed both of them: “If you do not know me, I am from the Bani Kalb, it is sufficient for me that my family is from Bani Ulaym, I am a warrior and a man with a strong nerve, and am not the one who shrieks at the time of anxiety, O Umm Wahab! I am answerable
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to you in respect of the sword and spear of a man who believes in Allah. ”
His wife Umm Wahab picked up a peg of a tent in her hand and advanced towards her husband calling out: “May my parents be your ransom! Fight in the way of the pure progeny of Prophet Muhammad (S). ” Abdullah advanced towards her to send her back to the tents, but she caught hold of his shirt and said, “I shall not leave you until I am killed along with you. ” Imam Husayn (a. s. ) called out to her,
“May you be rewarded fairly on account of the Household of the Prophet, return back. May Allah’s mercy be upon you! Come to the ladies for Jihad is not obligatory upon women. ” Hearing this she returned back.
(Irshad, Tabari, Kamil) Then ‘Amr bin Hajjaj, with his army, attacked the right wing of the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ). When they came near, Imam’s companions knelt down pointing their spears towards them. Their horses were afraid to advance towards the spears and retreated back. Then Imam’s companions shot arrows towards them killing some of them while wounding others.
(Tabari, Kamil) A person from among the (clan of) Bani Tameem, named Abdullah bin Hawzah, advanced further until he came face to face with Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and called out to him. Imam replied,
“What do you desire”?
The accursed replied, “May you get the good news of the (hell) fire. ” (Allah’s refuge) Imam replied,
“No, it is not as you say. I
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am proceeding to the presence of the Merciful Lord and the intercessor, who is obeyed. ”
Then he inquired as to who he was, and was told that he was the son of Hawzah. Imam said,
“O Allah! Send him to the fire (of hell). ”
Suddenly his horse was aroused and threw him down. (Irshad). But his left foot got entangled in the stirrup while his right foot was raised in the air. Then Muslim bin Awsaja attacked and cut his right foot. The horse started run ning with him with his head hitting against the stones and trees of the desert until he died. Thus his spirit hastened towards (the fire of) hell.
(Tabari) Azdi relates from Ata‘a bin Saeb, who relates from Abdul Jabbar bin Wael, from his brother Masrooq bin Wael that I was along with the army, who had advanced towards Imam Husayn (a. s. ). I requested to be in the forefront so as to get the head of Imam and thus earn honor in the pres ence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. When we reached him, a person from amongst us named Ibn Hawzah advanced further and said, “Is Husayn amongst you”? But Imam did not answer him.
When he repeated it thrice, Imam said,
“Yes, here is Husayn, what do you desire”?
He said, “O Husayn! Take glad tidings of (hell) fire” (Allah’s refuge). Imam said,
“Verily you speak a lie, I am proceeding towards the forgiving Lord and an intercessor, who is obeyed. Who are you”?
He replied that he was the son of
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Hawzah. The narrator says that then Imam lifted his hands towards the heavens such high, that we could see the whiteness of his underarms from below his clothes, and said,
“O Lord! Hasten him towards the fire (of hell). ”
Hearing this Ibn Hawzah was enraged and desired to gallop his horse towards Imam, but there was a moat in between them. Suddenly his foot got entangled in the stirrup and the horse dragged him until he fell off. Then his leg, peduncle and thigh separated, while the other half of his body lay suspended on the stirrup. Seeing this Masrooq returned and hid behind the horsemen. The narrator further says that I questioned him (Masrooq) regarding his return and he replied that, “I have seen such (wonders) from this family that I shall never ever fight them. ”
Martyrdom of Burayr bin Khuzayr
(Tabari) Thus the battle started. Azdi says that Yusuf bin Yazeed related to me from Afeef bin Zuhayr bin Abi Akhnas, who was present at Karbala. He says that Yazeed bin Ma’qal, who was from the tribe of Bani Umayrah bin Rabi’ah, which is a branch of Bani Salimah of Abdal Qays, came forward.
He told Burayr, “O Burayr bin Khuzayr! Do you see as to what Allah has done to you. ” Burayr replied, “By Allah! Allah has dealt fairly with me and has brought forth evil for you. ” Yazeed said, “You speak a lie, and you never lied before. Do you remember once when I was walking along with you in Bani Lawzan, you told
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me that Usman bin Affan had killed himself, while Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan was a misguided man and the one who leads others astray, while the true and Righteous Imam and guide is Ali bin Abi Talib”?
Burayr replied, “I bear witness that this is (still) my belief. ” Yazeed bin Ma’qal said, “I bear witness that you are among the astray. ” Then Burayr said, “Then do you desire that we imprecate one another, while invoking the curse of Allah upon the one who lies. Then the one on the right path should kill the one who is upon the wrong, then I shall come out to fight with you. ”
The narrator says that both of them came out into the battlefield and lifting their hands invoked the curse of Allah upon the liar and that the righteous one should kill the evil. Then they started fighting one another. There were exchange of swords between them, when Yazeed bin Ma’qal dealt a light and ineffective blow on Burayr. Then Burayr dealt a blow upon his head, which cut his head and reached his brain. He rolled down upon the ground like a ball, while the sword of Burayr was stuck in his head, and he was lifting it up and down to pull it out.
Then Razee bin Manqaz Abadi attacked Burayr and grappled him. Both of them struggled until Burayr threw him down and sat on his chest. Then Razee called out, “Where are my defenders”? Hearing this Ka’ab bin Jabir bin
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‘Amr Azdi advanced to assist him, when I said, “This is Burayr bin Khuzayr, the reciter of the Qur’an, who taught us the Qur’an in the Mosque. ”
He attacked Burayr with his spear. When Burayr felt the point of the spear, he threw himself upon him and bit his nose. But Ka’ab sunk his spear into him and drew it till his heart, while the entire point of the spear entered his back. Then he hit him on the head and started attacking him with his sword until he killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
Afeef bin Zuhayr bin Abi Akhnas says, that it is as if I see Razee, who was scattered on the ground, arising while brushing off the dust from his cloak and telling Ka’ab that, “O brother (from the clan) of Azd! You have favored me and I shall never forget it. ”
Yusuf bin Yazeed says, that I asked Afeef whether he had really witnessed it with his own eyes, to which he replied that, “I have seen it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. ”
When Ka’ab bin Jabir returned back, his wife, and his sister, Nawar bint Jabir told him, “You have sided with the opponents of the son of Fatima (a. s. ) , and have killed the chief of the Qur’an Reciters? By Allah! I shall never ever speak to you from now on. ” And Ka’ab bin Jabir recited the following couplets: “You ask regarding me and shall be
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informed regarding the morning of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , when the spears were being thrust, that did not I commit the act which you despise? When it could not be imagined that day as to what I would do, I had with me my spear, which did not falter and a white shining sword, which was sharp-edged and fierce, then I unsheathed it and attacked a group, whose Religion was not the same as mine, which was the obedience to the son of Harb, when I had not witnessed anyone similar to them in their age before them, who had fought fiercely in the battle, they are those who safeguard their honor, then they bore pa tiently against the spears and swords and stepped into the battlefield, I wish this had profited them, then when you meet Ubaydullah, give him this message that I am obedient to the Caliph and compliant of his words, then it is I who killed Burayr and favored the son of Manqaz, when he called for assistance. ”
Martyrdom of ‘Amr bin Qartah Ansari
Then ‘Amr bin Qartah advanced and attacked, while defending Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , and he was saying: “The battalion of Ansar knows that I am a pro tector of the territory of promise, I strike with a sharp-edged sword similar to a youth, my self and household is lowly in front of Husayn. ”
Here Imam Husayn (a. s. ) is considered more than one’s household, thus vilifying Umar bin Sa’ad, who while talking to Imam had said that,
“My house shall be destroyed....... etc. ”
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(as related in Section 15 of this book).
Sayyid ibn Tawoos relates, that after the martyrdom of Muslim bin Awsaja, ‘Amr bin Qartah Ansari came forward and pleaded with Imam to permit him to go to the battlefield. When Imam permitted him, he attacked with such force, which was similar to that of the one who yearns for Paradise. Thus he strived to serve the Master of Heavens, until he killed a group of people from the army of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad.
There was no arrow, which would advance towards Imam, except that he stopped it with his hands, and there was no sword which would come towards Imam, except that he took it upon himself. Then Imam did not receive any wounds until ‘Amr was alive. When he was totally wounded, he turned towards Imam and said, “O son of the Prophet of Allah! Have I fulfilled my (duty of) obedience”? Imam replied,
“Verily yes, you shall be the one to go to Paradise before me. Then offer my salu tations to the Prophet of Allah (S) and tell him that I am on my way following you. ”
Then ‘Amr fought bravely until he attained martyrdom (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
(Tabari, Kamil) It is related that ‘Amr’s brother, Ali bin Qartah, was in the army of Umar bin Sa’ad. When he saw his brother fall, he called out, “O Husayn! O liar and the son of a liar”! (Allah’s refuge) “You have misguid ed my brother and deceived him until
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you killed him. ” Imam replied,
“Allah did not mislead your brother, in fact he was bestowed with guidance, while it is you who are misguided. ”
The accursed said, “May Allah kill me if I do not kill you or die while struggling against you. ” Saying this he attacked Imam and Nafe’ bin Hilal Muradi came and stood facing him. Then he at tacked him with a spear and threw him upon the ground, his companions came to his rescue and took him away. Then he treated his wounds and was cured.
(Tabari) Azdi says that Nazr bin Saleh Abu Zuhayr Abasi says that when Hurr bin Yazeed went and united with Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , a man from Bani Tameem, named Yazeed bin Sufyan said, “By Allah! If my sight falls upon Hurr, I shall kill him with my spear. ” When the two armies were attacking and killing one another, Hurr was attacking in the forefront, while reciting the words of Antara: “With my charger’s neck and breast I will launch myself at them again and again, until (the beast is) clothed in blood. ” And he was reciting the following Rajaz: “I am Hurr, a host to the guest, I strike your necks with a swift sword, in defense of the one, who has alighted at the ground of Kheef (in Mina) , while I do not regret over it. ”
The narrator says that the tail and brows of his horse were wounded by swords, and blood was flowing through it. Haseen bin Tameem, the head
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of the police force of Ibn Ziyad, who had dispatched him to assist Umar bin Sa’ad and made him the commander of the police under the command of Yazeed bin Sufyan, told Yazeed bin Sufyan, “This is Hurr bin Yazeed, whom you desire. ” He then advanced towards Hurr and said, “O Hurr bin Yazeed! Do you desire combat”? Hurr replied in the affirmative and he came towards him. Haseen said that, “By Allah! It is as if his life was in the hands of Hurr, who instantly killed him. ”
Hisham bin Muhammad relates from Abu Makhnaf, who says that Yahya bin Hani bin Urwah told me, that on the tenth (of Muharram) , Hilal bin Nafe’ was attacking, while reciting the following couplets: “I am the son of Hilal! My Religion is the Religion of Ali”! A man named Mazahim bin Hurays came towards him and said, “I am upon the Creed of Usman. ” Nafe’ replied, “However, you are upon the creed of the Shaitan”, saying this he attacked him and ultimately killed him.
Then ‘Amr bin Hajjaj turned towards the army and called out, “O foolish men! Do you know whom you have been fighting with? You are fighting the valorous Kufans, who are ready to sacrifice their lives. Thus no one should go to fight single-handedly with them, for they are only a few left and a short time remains. By Allah! Even if you attack them with mere stones, they shall perish. ” Then Umar bin Sa’ad said, “Verily
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whatever you have said is true and his opinion is accepted. ” Then he declared that no one should go for a single combat with them.
It is narrated that ‘Amr bin Hajjaj advanced towards the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and said, “O Kufans! Hold steadfastly to those who listen to you and your community, and do not hesitate to kill the man who has turned out of the Religion and has disobeyed the Imam. ” Imam Husayn (a. s. ) said,
“O ‘Amr bin Hajjaj! Do you incite people against me? Have we turned away from the Religion, while you are steadfast upon it? By Allah! When you die with these (evils) deeds of yours, you shall then know as to who has turned away from the Religion, and who is worthy of (the fire of) hell. ”
Martyrdom of Muslim bin Awsaja
Then ‘Amr bin Hajjaj attacked the right wing of the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , along with the right wing of the army of Umar bin Sa’ad, from the side of the Euphrates and they fought for sometime. Muslim bin Awsaja Asadi was the first one among the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) to attain martyrdom. Then ‘Amr bin Hajjaj and his companions returned back.
(Manaqib) It should be noted that Muslim bin Awsaja was the agent of Muslim bin Aqeel (a. s. ) in Kufa. He was given the charge to collect the funds, buy ammunitions and accept allegiance (on behalf of Imam Husayn).
Muslim fought valiantly in the battle of Karbala, while reciting the follow ing Rajaz: “If you inquire about
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me, (know that) I am a male Lion, (I am) from the chiefs and notables of the branch of Bani Asad, thus the one who oppresses us has deviated from the Right Path and from the Religion of the Self Sufficient, Omnipotent (Lord). ”
He fought abundantly with the enemies and forbore upon the fight of the army until he fell down.
The narrator says that when the clouds of sand sank, Muslim was seen smeared in blood. Imam Husayn (a. s. ) went to his head, when he was yet alive. Imam said,
“May your Lord have mercy upon you, O Muslim bin Awsaja! Of the believers are the men who are true to what they covenanted with Allah, of them is he who fulfilled his vow and of them is he who awaits (its fulfillment) , and they have changed not in the least” (Surah al-Ahzaab, 33: 23).
Then Habib bin Mazahir came to him and said, “It is very unpleasant for me to see you smeared in mud and blood O Muslim! May you receive the glad tid ings of Paradise. ” Then Muslim replied in a soft voice, “May your Allah give you glad tidings of fairness too. ” Habib said, “If I had not known that I too would have to follow your path (of Martyrdom) and reach you, it would have been my pleasure to ask you to will to me regarding your heart’s desire, until I fulfill the rights of your relatives and your co-religionists. ”
Muslim replied, “I recommend this Master for you”, he
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said pointing towards Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , “then you should ransom your life over him. ” Habib replied, “By the Lord of Ka’bah! I shall surely do that. ” It was not late when he died in their hands. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). And one of his slave girls was heard calling out, “O son of Awsaja! O master! ”
The companions of ‘Amr bin Hajjaj applauded, “We have killed Muslim bin Awsaja. ” Then Shabas turned towards his associates and said, “May your mothers mourn over you! You kill yourselves with your own hands and are separating from your own selves for the sake of others. Then you are rejoic ing because you have killed Muslim bin Awsaja? By Him in whom I believe! I have seen him (Muslim) in the battlefield with honor for the Muslims. I have seen him in the battle in the plain of Azarbayjan at the time when no Muslim had moved from the places, he had already killed six polytheists. And when such a man dies, you rejoice over it”? The murderers of Muslim bin Awsaja were Muslim bin Abdullah Zababi and Abdul Rahman bin Abi Khash kar Bajali.
Then Shimr attacked the left wing of the Imam’s army. They stood in front of him and his army and pushed them back with their lances. Then Imam and his companions were attacked from all sides and Abdullah bin Umayr Kalbi, who had previously killed two men, was martyred. Hani bin Sabat Hazrami and Bukayr bin Hayy Tamimi
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killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him) and he was the second Martyr among the companions of Imam. Then the companions of Imam fought valiantly with the Kufan army. Their horse men, being thirty-two, attacked the Kufan army from all sides and split all of them.
It is as if Abu Tufayl says regarding them: “What an army is this, similar to the waves, similar to the powerful beasts like Leopards and Lions, there are the old, the youth and the chiefs, who are mounted upon the Horses, escaping from whose midst is very hard, when the rays of the sun sets below their standard, it’s powers dims the eyes, their slogan is similar to that of the Prophet, while their standards by which Allah, the Beneficent avenges the schemers. ”
It is as if it is said regarding them: “Astonishment that the clear-cut swords and spears see months in the hands of this group, and they are men, and astonishment that the fire burns upon their palms even though their hands are oceans. ”
(Tabari) When Urwa bin Qays, who was the commander of the horsemen, saw this situation that his horses were split from all sides, he sent Abdul Rahman bin Haseen to Umar bin Sa’ad with the message that, “Do you not see that since today morning my horsemen have been dragging along with these little group of men? Dispatch the foot-soldiers and the archers towards them. ” Then Umar bin Sa’ad turned towards Shabas bin Raba’ee and said, “Will
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you attack Husayn”? Shabas replied, “Glory be to Allah! Do you intend sending the chief of the towns and the master of the Kufans with the archers? Do you not find anyone else who could do this job”?
Shabas disliked fighting Imam Husayn (a. s. ). Abu Zuhayr Abasi says that during the period of the caliphate of Mus’ab bin Zubayr, I heard him (Shabas) say that, “Allah will never bestow goodness upon the people of Kufa and will not reach them towards felicity. It is not surprising that we fought in the ranks of Ali bin Abi Talib (a. s. ) and after him with his son (Imam Hasan) against the children of Abu Sufyan for five years. Then we pounced upon his son Husayn, who was the best from among the dwellers of the earth, and we fought against him in the ranks of the children of Mu’awiyah and the son of Sumayyah, the adulteress. Disgrace, and what a disgrace”!
Then Umar bin Sa’ad called for Haseen bin Tameem and dispatched him with the foot soldiers and five hundred archers. They proceeded further until they reached Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and his companions. Then they shot their arrows towards them and impoverished their horses and all of them came on foot.
Azdi says that Nameer bin Wahlah relates from Ayyub bin Mashrah Haywanee, that he always said that, “By Allah! I was the one who impoverished the horse of Hurr bin Yazid. I shot an arrow which pierced it’s belly, it gave a cry and
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rolled up itself (on the ground). Suddenly Hurr charged like a Lion and leapt upon them with his sword in hand saying: “Even though you have cut off the legs of my horse, I am more valorous than a male lion. ” By Allah! I have not seen anyone like him, who inflicted the ranks. ”
The chiefs of his clan asked him, “Have you killed Hurr”? He replied, “No, by Allah! I have not killed him. Rather another person had killed him and I did not desire killing him. ” Abu Wadak asked him the reason, to which he replied, “For he was included among the devout men. By Allah! If this deed of mine be a sin, then if I have to go to the presence of Allah with the responsibility of injury and presence in the army it is easy, than that I go to his presence with the sin of their murder upon my neck. ”
Abu Wadak said, “You too shall go to the presence of Allah with the sin of their murder. Then tell me, that if you pursued one of their horses and shot an arrow towards another, then you stood facing them and repeated this act of yours numerous times, and you encouraged your fellow army-men.
Then if you were attacked and you had to flee away while some of your companions fol lowed your example, resulting in the collaboration of you all with them in their murder, then all of you are equal partners in their
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blood. ” Nameer said, “O Abu Wadak! You are disheartening us from the mercy of Allah. Then on the day of Qiyamah if you had been in charge of our accounts, may Allah not forgive you if you do not forgive us. ”
It is better that we relate regarding them: “Does this nation desire the intercession of the Grandfather (of Husayn) on the day of Qiyamah after having murdered Husayn, no never, by Allah! They will find no intercessor and they will be engulfed in the wrath in Qiyamah. ”
(Tabari) They fought with them valiantly until the noon. The Kufan army could not attack from any other side accept one, because their tents were joint together. When Umar bin Sa’ad saw this, he ordered his men to attack the tents from the left and right sides, to dig them up and to surround them. Three four persons from among the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) stood up to guard the tents.
Then they would attack the invaders from in between the tents and whoever would come to dig the tent or plunder it, would be killed or they would shoot an arrow and injure him. Then Umar bin Sa’ad ordered, “Do not go near the tents, nor dig or plunder them, rather burn them. ” Then they burnt the tents and held back their hands from dig ging or plundering them.
Imam Husayn (a. s. ) said,
“Let them burn the tents, for if they do so, the fire will act as a prevention against them. ”
It happened as
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said, and a group of them fought with them from one side.
(Tabari) The wife of (Abdullah bin) Umayr Kalbi ran out into the battle field and sat at the head of her husband (who was already martyred, as has been related earlier) cleaning the dust from him, and said, “May Paradise be pleasant for you. ” When Shimr saw her, he commanded his retainer named Rustam, “Hit her upon the head. ” He dealt a blow upon her head which split open, and she attained martyrdom at that very spot. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon her).
Then Shimr bin Ziljawshan attacked until he reached a particular tent of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and striking it with his lance said, “Bring me fire, so that I may burn it along with what it contains. ” Hearing this the womenfolk started shrieking and came out of the tents in panic.
Then Imam Husayn (a. s. ) called out in a loud voice saying,
“O son of Ziljawshan! Do you ask for fire to be brought so as to burn the tent along with my family? May Allah burn you in the fire (of hell). ”
Azdi says that Sulayman bin Abi Rashid relates from Hameed bin Muslim that he said, that I told Shimr bin Ziljawshan, “Glory be to Allah! This does not suit you. Do you desire tasting the wrath of Allah by killing the children and ladies? By Allah! The commander will be pleased with you only with the killing of the men. ”
Then Shimr asked me
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as to who I was. And I said, “I shall not disclose who I am. ” I said this, for by Allah, I feared lest he would malign me in the presence of the sovereign. Then a man came to him, whose orders he obeyed more than of Shabas bin Rabee’, and said, “I have not heard a more evil speech from you before, nor have I seen a more degraded situation that you have placed yourself in. Then have you now started frightening the women”?
I saw that hearing this Shimr was ashamed of himself and retreated back. Then Zuhayr bin Qayn attacked him and his companions with a group of his ten companions until they had pushed them away from the tents and they went far away, and they killed Abu Uzrah Zababi, one of the companions of Shimr, seeing this the entire army at tacked them putting them to loss. Many of the companions of Imam started falling down, and if one or two of them fell it (their loss) would be easily visible, while those of the enemies would not, because of their large numbers.
Reminding for Prayers by Abu Samamah Saedi and the Martyrdom of Habib bin Mazahir
(Tabari) When Abu Samamah ‘Amr bin Abdullah Saedi saw his companions being killed one after the other, he turned towards Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and said, “O Aba Abdillah! May I be your ransom! I see that this army has advanced closer to you. But Allah willing, they shall not be able to kill you until they have killed us. And I desire that I
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go to the presence of Almighty Allah having recited the Prayers (in your lead) , whose time has already approached. ” Then Imam lifted up his head and said,
“You have reminded the (time of) Prayers, may Allah join you with the worshippers and the reci ters, and verily this is the prime time for Prayers. ”
Then he said,
“Tell them to lift their hands off us until we have finished reciting the Prayers. ”
Hearing this Haseen bin Tameem said, “Your Prayers are not accepted. ” Habib bin Mazahir replied, “You think that the Prayers of the Progeny of the Prophet of Allah is not accepted, while the Prayers of you, a wine-bibber, is accepted”?
Then Haseen bin Tameem attacked him and Habib bin Mazahir came to meet his challenge. Habib dealt a blow on the front of his head, which sank in and Habib threw him down (from his horse). Then his companions came to his rescue and took him away. Habib bin Mazahir then said, “I swear that if we would have been similar to you in quantity or even half of that, you would have turned your back from us, O men of ill origin and impotents”!
That day Habib was saying: “I am Habib and my father is Mazahir, who is a horseman of the battlefield when it is fierce, you are well-equipped and large in quantity, but we are more obedient, forbearing (than you) , our proofs are exalted while truth apparent, and (we are) more pious and peni tent than you. ”
Habib bin
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Mazahir attacked severely (Malhoof) until he had killed sixty-two men. (Tabari) Then a man from the clan of Tameem attacked him and dealt a blow with his sword on his head and killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). The name of his murderer was Budayl bin Sareem, who was from Bani Aqafan. Then another man from the clan of Tameem attacked him with a lance and threw him on the ground. When he tried to stand up, Haseen bin Tameem struck him on the head with his sword and he (again) fell down, then the person from Bani Tameem alighted from his horse and cut off his head.
Seeing this Haseen said, “I too am a partner in his murder along with you”, to which he said, “By Allah! No one except me has killed him. ” Haseen said, “Then give me his head so that I may hang it in the neck of my horse so that people may see and understand that I too have participated in his murder. Then you may take it back and carry it to the presence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, for I am not desirous of the reward (which he will offer you in lieu of the murder of Habib). ”
The man refused to do so until his people made him agree. Then he gave the head of Habib to Haseen, who hung it in the neck of his horse and started taking the rounds in the ranks, and then
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returned it back.
The Tamimi man placed the head of Habib on his horse and carried it to the palace of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. The son of Habib named Qasim, who was nearing adolescence, saw the head of his father and recognized it, he followed him and went inside the palace and came out with him until his sight fell on him. He said, “O dear son! Why are you following me”? The child replied that there was nothing. The person told him, “What is the matter, tell me”?
To which the child said, “This head which is with you is that of my father. Give it to me so that I may bury it”. The man said, “O dear son! The commander would not be pleased to it’s burial and I desire that the commander reward me amply for this. ” The child replied, “But Allah will give you a bad punishment for what you did. For by Allah, you have killed such a man who was better than you”, saying this the child started weeping.
Days passed by and the boy grew up. He had no other grief except to remain in pursuit of the murderer of his father so as to get him un aware and revenge the death of his father. At the time of Mus’ab bin Zubayr, in the battle of Bajmira’, this boy entered his army. He saw his father’s killer in a tent and followed him and waited in ambush for him. He entered his tent,
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when he was taking a nap in the afternoon, and striking him with his sword killed him.
Azdi says that when Habib bin Mazahir was killed, Imam Husayn (a. s. ) was bent. Then he said,
“I surrender myself and my faithful companions to Allah’s accountability. ”
It is stated in some books of Martyrdom (Maqatil) that the Imam said,
“Your achievement is due to Allah O Habib! You were a man of distinction, that you completed reciting the entire Qur’an in one (single) night. ”
Martyrdom of Hurr bin Yazid
The narrator says that Hurr started reciting the following Rajaz: “I have sworn not to be killed until I do not kill, and I shall not be wounded except by advancing further, I will attack them with a sharp-edged sword, I shall not retreat back nor will I flee (from the battlefield). ”
Furthermore he recited the following couplets: “I am Hurr, a host to the guest, I strike your necks with a swift sword, in defense of the one who has alighted at the ground of Kheef (in Mina) , while I do not regret over it. ”
He held such a sword in his hand whose edge was raining death. It is as if Ibn Mu’taz says about him, “I possess a sword which radiates death, then it is not unsheathed, except that it starts spilling the blood. ”
Hurr, along with his companion Zuhayr bin Qayn, attacked obviously. If while fighting, one of them would get surrounded by the enemies, the other would come to his defense and rescue him. They continued doing so until the
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foot soldiers attacked Hurr from all sides and killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him)
Ubaydullah bin ‘Amr Badi, who was from the clan of Bani Kinda, says that, “Do not forget Sa’eed bin Abdullah nor Hurr, who along with Zuhayr aided at the need of the hour. ”
Fattal Naishapuri, in his Rawzatul Wa’ezeen, while quoting the Martyrdom of Hurr bin Yazeed says, that when Imam Husayn (a. s. ) came to the head of Hurr, blood was flowing from him. He said,
“Well done O Hurr! You are at liberty in this world as well as the hereafter, as your mother has named you. ”
Then he recited the following couplets: “What a best Hurr is the Hurr of Bani Riyah, and the best Hurr during the exchange of spears, the best Hurr who was generous with regard to his life when Husayn called out in the morning. ”
Shaikh Saduq too relates similarly from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (a. s. ).
Shaikh Abu Ali in Muntahal Maqal says that Hurr bin Yazid bin Najiyah bin Sa’eed is from (the clan of) Bani Yarboo’.
Sayyid Ne’matullah Jazaeri Tustari writes in his Anware No’maniyyah, that a group of trustworthy men narrated to me that when Shah Isma’il Safawi gained control over Baghdad, he came to visit the Shrine of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) in Karbala. He heard some people vilifying Hurr and hence came to the head of his grave and ordered it to be exhumed. People witnessed that Hurr was sleeping in his grave freshly drenched in his blood,
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and a ker chief was tied on his forehead.
Shah Isma’il tried to unfasten the kerchief from his forehead, which according to the historical reports was tied by Imam Husayn (a. s. ). When the kerchief was untied, fresh blood started pouring out until the grave was filled with it. Then when the kerchief was tied at it’s place, the blood stopped. Then again they tried to untie that kerchief, but blood started pouring out. They tried to stop the blood by other means, but could not do so until they ultimately tied the same ker chief. Thus the fine status of Hurr was confirmed to them, and Shah ordered a mausoleum to be erected on his grave and appointed a servant to look after it.
The Honorable Traditionist Shaikh Muhammad bin Hasan Hurr Ameli, the author of Wasaelush Shi’ah, was from the progeny of Hurr bin Yazeed ar Riyahi, as has been quoted by Shaikh Ahmad in his Durrul Mulook.
(Tabari) Abu Samamah Saedi killed his cousin, who bore enmity with him, and then recited the Zuhr Prayers in the method of Salat al Khawf [1] in Imam Husayn (a. s. ) ’s lead.
(Malhoof) It is stated in another narration that Imam told Zuhayr bin Qayn and Sa’eed bin Abdullah to stand in front of him so that he may lead the Zuhr Prayers. They did so while Imam lead the Prayers with half of his companions.
It is related that Sa’eed bin Abdullah Hanafi stood in front of the Imam and thus became the target of their arrows. Wherever
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Imam would turn, Sa’eed would stand in front of him until he was totally wounded and then fell down. He said, “O Allah! Send your curse upon them similar to the tribes of Ad and Thamood. O Allah! Deliver my greetings to Your Prophet, and make him aware about the pain and wounds that I have borne, for I crave Your reward while defending the progeny of Your Prophet. ” Saying this he breathed his last (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). Thirteen wounds of arrows were upon his body, apart from the wounds of lances and swords.
Ibn Nima says that some say that Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and his companions recited the Prayers individually with signs.
Tabari, Ibn Aseer and others state that after finishing the Zuhr Prayers, they attacked fiercely and neared Imam Husayn (a. s. ). Then Sa’eed stood armoring the Imam and defended him from all sides thus becoming a target of the enemies. Arrows started coming from all sides until he fell down. It is written in the related salutations of the Martyrs: Peace be upon Sa’eed bin Abdullah Hanafi, who, when Imam gave them permission to leave him, said, “No, by Allah! We shall not leave you alone. ” Then you faced your death and defended your Imam, and you witnessed the grace of Allah in the place of residence. May Allah gather us along with you in the ranks of the martyrs. And may Allah provide us your friendship in the exalted position of the magnificent ones.
We
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say: Reflect upon these words which prove the exalted status possessed by this Felicitous Martyr, and other martyrs of Karbala, which is beyond the imagination of the intelligent ones. While this is enough (proof) of their grace.
Ibn Nima too has related the martyrdom of the above referred Sa’eed in the words of Tabari and Ibn Aseer. Then he says that then Umar bin Sa’ad sent ‘Amr bin Hajjaj with the archers. They shot arrows towards the remaining companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and killed their horses. The situation reached such that Imam had no horsemen left with him, and he said,
“Will the young horses be under the banner of others besides us, when we are the chiefs of their masters? Then when a calamity desires entering our town, we posses the power to turn it away, no one walks in the width of the porch with a shining sword, and none from among our group guards him. ”
(Tabari) Zuhayr bin Qayn fought valiantly and he was saying, “I am Zuhayr and am the son of Qayn, I will bar you from Husayn with my sword, for he is one of the two grandsons of the Prophet who is a virtuous and chaste Proge ny, there is no lie in that he is the Prophet, I shall kill you and shall not regret over it, and I wish my self could be divided into two (so that I may fight with you twofold). ”
(Tabari) Then Zuhayr placed his hand upon the
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shoulder of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and said, “Proceed further, for you are a guided one and are a guide. Today you shall meet your grandfather the Prophet and (Imam) Hasan and Murtaďa Ali (a. s. ) , and a well-equipped young man with two wings, Ja’far your uncle, and Hamza the alive martyred Lion of Allah. ”
(Maqtal of Muhammad bin Abi Talib) Then he attacked until he killed one hundred and twenty men. (Tasleeyatul Majalis, Tabari, Kamil) Then Kaseer bin Abdullah Sha’abi and Muhajir bin Aws Tamimi attacked him and threw him upon the ground. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessing be upon him). When Zuhayr fell from his horse, Imam Husayn (a. s. ) said,
“O Zuhayr! May Allah not keep you away from Himself, and may Allah send his wrath upon your killers as He did to those who were turned into monkeys and pigs. ”
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[1]: Salat al Khawf - Daily Prayers of a person, which in war or similar circumstances, is offered in a special and shortened way.
Martyrdom of Nafe’ bin Hilal
Naf’e bin Hilal Jamali (or Bajali) had engraved his name on his arrows and dipped them in poison and shot them one after the other towards the enemies saying, “I shoot these arrows whose teeth contains signs, while it will not benefit those who fear, they are smeared in poison which keeps the enemies in motion, and it’s striking fills the earth with blood. ”
He shot the arrows one after the other until they were exhausted and his quiver became empty. Then he placed his hand upon his sword and said, “I am a youth of the Yemeni tribe of Bajalah, I follow the Religion of Husayn and Ali, I shall be
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martyred today and this being my heart’s desire, and I shall meet my actions. ”
Tabari says that he killed twelve men from the companions of Umar bin Sa’ad, apart from those whom he wounded, until both his arms were severed. Then he was arrested by Shimr, who called his companions to drag him to Umar bin Sa’ad. Umar bin Sa’ad told him, “Woe be to you! What have you done to yourself”? Nafe’ replied, “Verily my Allah knows my intentions. ” The narrator says that blood was flowing on his beard while he was saying, “By Allah! I have slain twelve men among you, excluding those whom I have wounded, while I do not reproach myself for this. And if my hands would have been present, and my wrists would have been there, you would not have arrested me. ”
Shimr told Umar bin Sa’ad, “May Allah straighten your affair, kill him. ” Umar replied, “You have brought him, then kill him if you de sire. ” Hearing this Shimr unsheathed his sword and Nafe’ said, “If you are a Muslim, you would have despised meeting Allah with our blood upon your neck. Praise be to Allah, who has destined our death at the hands of the most accursed of the creation. ” Then the accursed (Shimr) killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessing be upon him).
Then Shimr attacked the army of Imam while saying, “Leave him, O Lion of Allah, leave Shimr, so that he may strike at them with his sword and will not
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flee, and he is a bitter tree and a fatal poison for you. ”
Martyrdom of Abdullah and Abdul Rahman Ghifari
When the companions of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) perceived their loss and realized that they themselves were incapable of defending the Imam and his rela tives, they hastened to lay their lives in the presence of Imam Husayn (a. s. ). Then Abdullah and Abdul Rahman, the sons of Urwa Ghifari, came to the Imam and said, “Peace be upon you O Aba Abdillah! The enemy has reached us and have hastened towards you from all sides, hence we desire to be killed before you and sacrifice our lives for you. ” Imam replied,
“Welcome! Come closer to me. ”
They came closer to the Imam and started fighting with the enemies in his side. One of them said, “Verily the Bani Ghifar and Khandaf, as also Bani Nizar knows, that I fight the adulterous group with my clear-cut and swift sword, O nation! defend the sons of noble fathers against the enemies with Eastern swords and sharp spears. ”
(Tabari) The narrator says that two Jabirite men, named Sayf bin Haris and Malik bin Abd, who were cousins and foster brothers, came closer to Imam Husayn (a. s. ) while they were weeping. Imam asked them,
“O sons of my brother! Why do you weep? By Allah! I desire that your eyes would be glowing. ”
They replied, “May Allah make us your ransom! We do not weep on account of ourselves, rather we weep for you. We see that you have been surrounded, while we are incapable of defending you. ”
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Imam replied,
“O sons of my brother! May Allah reward you fairly for this conscience and sym pathy. ”
(Manaqib) Then they advanced further saying, “Peace be upon you O son of the Prophet of Allah”, and Imam too replied their salutations. Then they attacked and were ultimately martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon them).
Martyrdom of Hanzalah bin As’ad Shabami
(Tabari, Kamil) Then Hanzalah bin As’ad Shabami came and stood in front of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) (Malhoof) and started defending him with his face and neck from arrows, lances and swords (Tabari, Kamil) while calling out,
“O my people! Verily I fear (that it may fall) on you the like of that (what befell) the parties, the like of (what befell) the people of Noah and Ad and Samood and those (who came) after them, and Allah intends not injustice unto (His) servants. And O my people! I fear for you the Day of Calling out (each other). The Day on which you shall be turned back retreating, (when) for you there shall be no savior from (the wrath of) Allah, and whomsoever Allah allows to stray, for him shall not be any guide. (Surah al-Ghaafir 40: 30-33)
O people! Do not kill Husayn, lest Allah may crush you with His wrath. While the one who lies is indeed disappointed. ”
(Tabari, Kamil) Imam called out to him,
“O son of As’ad! May your Allah have mercy upon you! They have become worthy of the wrath from the time they have neglected your invitation towards right before the battle, and from the
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time they stood up against you, and considered lawful shedding the blood of your companions. Then what escape do they have, after having killed your virtuous brothers”?
Hanzalah said, “You have spoken the truth, may I be your ransom! It is now time to go to the other home and unite with the brothers. ” (Tabari, Malhoof) Imam replied,
“Yes, go towards that which is better for you than the world and whatever it contains. Go towards the kingdom which will not wear out. ”
Hearing this Hanzalah replied, “Peace be upon you O Aba Abdillah! May Allah’s blessings be upon you and your family. May Allah acquaint us with you in Paradise. ” Imam replied,
“So be it. ”
Then Hanzalah proceeded further (Malhoof) and fought valiantly and forbore the fear of battle, until he was martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
(Tabari) Then the two Jabirite brothers advanced further saying, “Peace be upon you O son of the Prophet of Allah. ” Imam replied,
“And Peace be upon you. ”
They fought until they were martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Bless ings be upon them).
Martyrdom of Shawzib and Abis
The narrator says that Abis bin Abi Shabib Shakiri came to Shawzib, who was his relative, and said, “What is your heart’s desire”? He replied, “What do I desire? I desire to fight alongside you, while defending the grandson of the Prophet of Allah (S) , until I am martyred. ” Abis replied, “I had desired the same regarding you. Then proceed further to wards the Imam so that he may include you among his companions as
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the other proceeding you have done, so that I too may consider you. And at this moment, if there would have been with me someone else nearer to me than you, I would have sent him to the battlefield before me, so as to mourn his death and earn abundant reward. This is the day of our last actions, for after today there will be no actions but only accounting. ” Then Shawzib advanced further and saluted the Imam and fought, until he was martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
Shakir is a clan of Yemen and a branch of the clan of Hamadan, which reach es Shakir bin Rabi’ah bin Malik. Abis himself was from the above clan, while Shawzib was his retainer, meaning that Shawzib was staying along with him or was his confederate and not his servant or a freed retainer, as is assumed by some. On the contrary, our Shaikh, the Traditionist (Husayn) Noori, the author of Mustadrakul Wasael, says that perhaps the status of Shawzib might be higher than that of Abis, for it is said regarding him, that he (Shawzib) was one of the foremost in Shia’ism.
(Tabari) Then Abis bin Abi Shabeeb told Imam Husayn (a. s. ) that, “O Aba Abdillah! There in none upon the earth, among my relatives and others, who is more dear and beloved in my eyes than you. If I had the power to defend off oppression with anything more dear to me than my life, I would surely
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have done so. Peace be upon you O Aba Abdillah! I call upon Allah as my witness, that I am (steadfast) upon the path of your father and yourself. ” Saying this he unsheathed his sword with a wound which was there on his forehead, and attacked the enemy.
Azdi says that Nameer bin Ramalah relates from Rabee’ bin Tameem Hamadani, who was present in the battle, that I saw Abis proceeding towards the battlefield and recognized him. I had seen him in numerous battles. He was a valorous man, hence I said, “O people! Behold this is a lion among the lions! He is the son of Abu Shabeeb! Thus no one should confront him. ”
Thus Abis started calling out, “Is there no man among you”? Hearing this Umar bin Sa’ad said, “Pound him with stones. ” Then people started hurling stones at him, and when Abis saw this, he removed his armor and helmet. Allah’s praise upon the one who said, “He fearlessly meets his neck with the clear-cut spears, and he considers his head to be a helmet, when the spears advance, he wears no other armor except that of chastity. ”
And a Persian Poet has said, “He removed his armor saying that I am a moon and not a fish, and he removed his helmet saying that I am not a rooster, and he came out without any armor or helmet, to embrace death nakedly, similar to a bride. ”
Then he attacked the enemies, (the narrator says that) it
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is as if I see him pushing back a group of two hundred men. Then they advanced towards him from all sides and killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). I saw his head in the hands of a group of people who were quarreling among themselves that they had killed him. Then they came to Umar bin Sa’ad, who said, “Do not quarrel, for he is not killed by any one man”, and dispersed them back.
Martyrdom of Abul Sha’sa Kindi
Azdi says that Fuzayl bin Khadeej Kindi narrated to me, that Abul Sha’sa Yazeed bin Ziyad (or Muhajir) Kindi, who was from the clan of Bani Bahdula, knelt down in front of Imam Husayn (a. s. ) and shot a hundred arrows to wards the enemies, out of which only five arrows missed the target, while he was a master archer. Whenever he shot an arrow, he exclaimed, “I am the son of Bahdula! A horseman of Arjalah”! Imam Husayn (a. s. ) said regarding him,
“O Allah! Make firm his archery and offer Paradise to him as his reward. ”
When he had exhausted all the arrows, he arose and said, “Only five of my arrows have gone waste, while it is known to me that I have killed five men. ” Abul Sha’sa Kindi was among the group to be martyred formerly. On that day he was reciting the following Rajaz: “I am Yazid and my father is Muhajir, I am more valorous than a Lion of the thicket, and I strike the rebels expertly with
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the spear, O Lord! I am a helper of Husayn, and am the one to disassociate and separate from the son of Sa’ad, and my right hand possesses a clear-cut and destructive sword. ”
Yazid bin Muhajir was one of those who had come along with Umar bin Sa’ad from Kufa to fight against Imam Husayn (a. s. ) , but when he saw that they refused to accept Imam’s plea, he entered the fold of Imam and fought for him and attained martyrdom (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
Martyrdom of a collective number of companions of Imam Husayn (a. s)
As regards Umar bin Khalid Saydawi, Jabir bin Haris Salmani, Sa’ad the retainer of Umar bin Khalid, and Mujme’ bin Abdullah Aezi, they came out with their swords in the beginning of the battle. They attacked the Kufan army and entered their ranks. The enemies too responded to their attack and surrounded them while separating them from their companions. Seeing this Abbas bin Ali (a. s. ) hastened towards them and rescued them from their clutches. Then when again the enemies advanced further, they attacked them and fought, until they all attained martyrdom at one place. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon them).