Nafasul Mahmoon 1

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[EXCERPTS, Ed, Rv]

NAFASUL MAHMOOM
Relating to the heart rending tragedy of Karbala

By - Shaikh Abbas Qummi


# Imam Husain’s intention of proceeding towards Iraq from Makkah

(Irshad) Muslim bin Aqeel’s uprising in Kufa occurred on the eighth of the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah 60 A.H., while he was martyred on the day of Arafah i.e. the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Imam Husain left for Iraq on the day of Tarwiyah i.e. eight of Dhu’l-Hijjah, the day of Muslim’s uprising. When Imam was in Makkah, a group of the people of Hijaz and Basra joined him, his family and clientele.

When Imam intended going towards Iraq, he circumambulated the Ka’bah and walked (Sa’ee) between Safa and Marwah, then he removed the pilgrim’s garb (Ehram) and declared it to be a lesser pilgrimage (Umrah). He could not hault to complete the major Pilgrimage (Haj), for he feared lest he might be arrested in Makkah and taken as captive to Yazeed.

(Malhoof) It is related that on the day of Tarwiyah (eight of Dhu’l-Hijjah), Amr bin Sa’eed bin al-Aas entered Makkah with a huge army. Yazeed had ordered him that if he confronted Imam Husain he should attack him, and if possible, to kill him. Thus Imam left Makkah on the same day.

Ibne Abbas relates that I saw Imam Husain standing near the door of the Ka’bah with Jibra’eel’s hand in his, before he left for Iraq. Jibra’eel was calling out, “Hasten to offer allegiance to (the Proof of) Allah, the Mighty, the Glorified.”

(Malhoof) Furthermore, it is related that when Imam Husain intended going towards Iraq, he stood up and delivered the following sermon:

“Praise be to Allah! By Allah’s will only! There is no power but with Allah! And Blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger! Verily death is bound with the sons of Adam as a necklace around the neck of a maiden. How I desire and long to meet my Ancestors similar to (Prophet) Ya’qoob, who was desirous of meeting (Prophet) Yusuf. Verily I proceed to­wards the place of my martyrdom, which has been selected for me. It is as if I see the


159 wolves of the desert (of Bani Umayyah) seperating each part of my body between Nawawees and Karbala, and filling their empty bellies and utricles. There is no escape from that which has been written down by the pen of destiny, and the pleasure of our Household (Ahlulbayt) lies in the pleasure of Allah. Verily we will endure His trials and secure the reward due for the forebearing ones. The cord of the Prophet and his child cannot be seperated from him, but will all be united together with him near the Right (Allah). Thereby his (the Prophet’s) eyes will be cooled due to us and thus Allah will fulfil what He has promised through them. Then whoever desires to lay down his life for us and strive in the way of Allah, should come out with us, for I shall be leaving tomorrow morning, Allah willing.”

Our Master, the Traditionist Mirza Noori, in his book Nafsur Rahman says that Nawawees is a graveyard of the Christians, where presently the grave of Al-Hurr bin Yazeed ar Riyahi stands in the north western side of the town. As regards Karbala, it is a piece of land on the bank of a stream which flows from the western direction towards the city and passing besides the grave of Ibne Hamza. There are some gardens and fields in it, while the town is in between them.

(Malhoof) It is related that on the night of the day in which Imam Husain left Makkah, Mohammad bin Hanafiyah came to his presence and said, “O dear brother! You are very well aware as to who these people of Kufa are. They committed treachery with your father (Imam Ali) and brother (Imam Hasan), and I fear that they might do the same with you. If you deem fit, do stay here, for you are the most respected and safe herein.” Imam re­plied,

“O brother! I fear lest Yazeed bin Mu’awiyah assault me unawares in the Sacred Sanctuary (Haram) itself, and thus the sanctity of the Sacred Sanctuary and the House of Allah would be spoilt due to me.”

Ibne Hanafiyah said, “Then go to Yemen if you fear this, or go away into the corner of the desert, where you would be safe and no one would be able to lay their hands on you.” Imam replied that he would think over the proposal.

When it dawned, Imam prepared to go and the news reached Mohammad bin Hana­fiyah. He came and caught hold of the reins of his camel, on which the Imam was mounted and said, “O my brother! Had you not promised me that you would consider my desire, then why do you leave in such haste”? Imam re­plied,

“After you left, the Holy Prophet came to me and said: O Husain! Hasten towards Iraq, for Allah desires to see you martyred.”

Mohammad bin Hanafiyah said, “Verily we are Allah’s and verily unto Him shall we return.” Then Mohammad continued, “Then what is the need of taking these women alongwith you in such a state”? He replied,


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“The Prophet told me that Allah desires to see them in captivity.”

Then he greeted Mohammad and left.

The question put forward by Hamza bin Humran to Imam Ja’far as Sadiq regarding Mohammad bin Hanafiyah’s keeping aloof, and Imam’s reply thereat, has already been related in another place in the Section 3 “Dis­course of Allamah Majlisi in Bihaar al-Anwaar” of Chapter 2 in this book.

Imam Ja’far as Sadiq says that,

“When Husain bin Ali intended to go towards Iraq, he handed over his books and testimony to Ummu-Salamah as a trust, and when Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen returned, Ummu-Salamah handed over the same to him.”

Mas’oodi writes in his Ithbaat al-Wasiyyah, that when Imam Husain in­tended to go to Kufa after writing a letter to the Kufans, and before des­patching Muslim bin Aqeel to Kufa, Ummu-Salamah came upto him and said, “I remind you not to go (there).” Imam asked her the reason, to which she replied, “I have heard the Prophet of Allah say that ‘my son Husain will be martyred in Iraq’ and he handed over to me a bottle filled with earth, which I have preserved with me and (often) inspect it.” Imam replied,

“O dear mother! I shall be compelled to die. There is no refuge from what has been decreed, and there is no other alternative for death. I myself know the day, time and the place where I shall be martyred, then I identify the spot of my martyrdom besides the mausoleum where I shall be buried, as I recognize you. Then if you desire, I would show you my burial place and that of the ones to be martyred alongwith me.”

Ummu-Salamah replied that she desired doing so. Imam Husain uttered the name of Allah and the ground (of Karbala) arose and he showed her the burial place of himself and others. Then he took some earth from it and told her to mix it with the former one (given to her by the Prophet). Then he said, “I shall be martyred on the tenth (of Moharram) after the Zuhr Prayers. Salutations upon you O dear mother! We are pleased with you.”[1]


Notes:

[1] The devotion and love of Umme Salma for the Household (Ahlulbayt) of the Prophet is apparent from the above incident. Her rever­ence of the true Vicegerent of the Prophet and the Imam of the age is renowned since her support of Imam Ali. Abul Fida in his Tareekh says that before leaving Madina (towards Basra for the battle of Jamal), Imam Ali called on Umme Salma, one of the widows of the Prophet, and bade her farewell. Umme Salma said to him, "In the name of Allah! I deliv­er you into His Protection. By His Power and His Majesty, you alone are with the truth, and all your enemies are in error. If it were not the command of Allah to the wives of His Prophet to stay at home, I would have accompanied


161 Ummu-Salamah preserved his report and awaited the tenth (Ashooraa).

Mas’oodi, in his Murujuz Zahab writes that when Imam Husain decided to go towards Iraq, Abdullah bin Abbas came to his presence and said, “O cousin! I have heard that you intend going towards Iraq, while the people therein are treacherous and quarrelsome. Do not make haste, and if you desire, fight these tyrants. And if you do not wish to reside in Makkah, then go to Yemen, for it is located in a corner and you posess numerous friends and brothers therein. Then hault there and despatch your envoys across and write to the Kufans and your followers in Iraq, that they might depose their commanders from there. And if they succeed in deposing them, and there remains no one to quarrel with you, only then you enter therein, for I do not trust them. And if they do not do so, remain where you are and wait for Allah’s command, for there are numerous forts and valleys in Yemen.”

Hearing this Imam said,

“O cousin! I know that genuinely you are my well wisher and are sympathetic towards me, but Muslim bin Aqeel has written to me that the Kufans have sworn the oath of allegiance to me, and have united to support me, hence I have finally decided to go there.”

Abdullah said, “You have tested the Kufans twice. These are the very people who had been supporting your father and brother, while tomorrow they might be among your murderors siding their commander. Then if you go towards them and Ubaydullah bin Ziyad is informed about it, he will send them to revolt against you. And the people who have written to you inviting you there, will turn into your worst enemies. Then if you disapprove my words, do not take the women and children alongwith you. For by Allah! I fear lest you might be killed as Usman was murdered, while his women and children were beholding.”

Imam replied to Ibne Abbas,

“By Allah! I hold it dear to be killed in any other place, rather than spoil the sanctity of the Ka’bah because of me (by being murdered herein).”

Then Ibne Abbas lost all hope to pursuade him and arose and left. Then he went to Abdullah bin Zubayr and recited the following couplet: “O Lark! You have got a vacant place, then lay your eggs and raise your voice, your seat is empty, strike your beak on the ground wherever you desire, then Husain is you in this campaign." She had a son named Umar bin Abi Salma, by her first marriage, whom she offered to him saying, "He is my only child. He is all that I have in this world. I offer him to you. He will, if necessary, sacrifice his life for you." (Tabari, Ibne Khaldoon, A'asam Kufi.) The words of Imam Husain in the above narration that "We are pleased with you" elucidates that she was one of those who had earned the pleasure of the Allah and His Proof (Hujjah).


162 going towards Iraq and is leav­ing behind Hijaz for you.”

When Abdullah bin Zubayr heard that Imam is going to Kufa (he was delight­ed). He was restless and aggrieved with Imam’s presence in Makkah, for the people therein did not consider him equal to Imam Husain, hence there was no greater news for him than that Imam was leaving Makkah. Then he came to Imam and said, “O Aba Abdillah! What have you decided? I fear Allah by not fighting against their cruelties and their disrespect towards Allah’s virtuous slaves.”

Imam Husain replied,

“I have decided to go to Kufa.”

Ibn al-Zubayr said, “May Allah grant you success! If I had friends like you, I would have refused going there.” He feared lest Imam would accuse him for it hence said,

“Then if you stay back here and invite me and the people of Hijaz to swear the allegiance at your hands, we shall agree to it and will hasten towards you, for you are more worthy of the Caliphate than Yazeed and his father.”[1]

Notes:

[1] A martyr's motivation is different from that of ordinary people. His logic is that of a devout reformer and a zealous gnostic. If the two logics, viz. the logic of an earnest reformer and the logic of a zealous gnostic are put together, the result becomes the motivation of a martyr. People like Abdullah bin Abbas and Mohammad bin Hanafiyah tried to dissuade him from going towards Kufa. Their argument was that his action was not logical. They were right in their own way. It was not in confirmity with their logic, which was the logic of worldly wise men. But Imam had a higher logic. His logic was that of a martyr which is beyond the comprehension of ordinary men while their's was based on the consideration of personal interests and political gains. From their point of view, Imam's action was not discreet and prudent at all. Abdullah bin Abbas made a proposal which was politically very sound. It has been the usual practice of clever people to use others as their tools. They push others forward and remain behind themselves. If others succeed, they take full advantage of their success, otherwise they lose nothing.


Abu Bakr bin Hurayth bin Hisham came to the presence of Imam Husain and said, “Verily relation (with you) demands that I should be merciful to you, and I do not know how you consider me in terms of being your well-wisher.” Imam replied,

“O Abu Bakr! You are not a deceiver.”

Abu Bakr said, “Your father was more able and people were more desirous of him and considered him. They were more obedient and subservient to him. They ral­lied around him in large numbers when he marched towards Mu’awiyah, except the people of Syria, while he was more powerful than Mu’awiyah. Even then they betrayed him and became a burden upon him with their lust for the world. Then they made him swallow anger, and they disobeyed him until the matter reached such that he went towards the Grandeur and Pleasure of Allah. Then they did the same to your brother, as your father, and you were a witness to all this. Yet now you desire to go towards those who had revolted against your father and brother and oppressed them? Then you like to fight alongwith them against the Syrians, the Iraqis and the one who has prepared himself and is more powerful, while people fear him and wish for his success? Then if he receives news that you are proceeding towards him, he might bribe them, and verily they are desirous of this world. Then those very people who have promised to assist you will be ready to fight you, and those very people who claim to love you will leave you devoid of helpers and will go to their aid. Then remember Allah in respect of yourself.”

Imam Husain replied,

“O Cousin! May Allah reward you favourably! You have adviced me sincerely. But Allah’s Decree shall surely occur.”

Abu Bakr said, “O Aba Abdillah! I give you to Allah’s refuge.”

It is written in Tareekh of Tabari that Azdi says, that Abu Jabbab Yahya bin Abu Hayyah relates from Adi bin Hurmala Asadi, who relates from Abdullah bin Salim and Mazri bin Mashma’il Asadi. They said that, “We went to Makkah from Kufa to perform the Haj, until we entered Makkah on the day of Tarwiyah (8th Zilhaj). We saw Imam Husain and Abdullah bin Zubayr at the time of Zuhr, standing between the Ka’bah and Hajarul Aswad. We went towards them and heard Ibn al-Zubayr telling Imam Husain that, “You may reside here if you desire so and be in charge. We are your supporters, helpers, your well-wishers and your obedient ones.” Imam replied,

“My father had told me that the blood of a man will be shed unjustly here, and I do not desire to be that man.”[1]

Ibn al-Zubayr continued, “Then hault here and leave the matter to me. For I shall obey you and will not decieve.” Imam replied,

“I do not desire to do so.”

Then they started speaking in a whisper among themselves until we heard people calling out to hasten to­wards Mina at the time of Zuhr. Then we saw that Imam Husain started circumabulating the Ka’bah, then he performed the Sa’ee between Safa and Marwah, and cut some of his hair. Then he ended his Umrah and left towards Kufa, while we went to Mina with other people.


Notes:

[1] Imam Ali's prediction of the murder of Abdullah bin Zubayr proved accurate. Abdullah bin Zubayr, after many years, took refuge in Makkah. Yazid sent an army to Makkah which laid seige to it. The Ka'bah was catapulted with stones and then set on fire. Once again Ibne Zubayr was attacked and the Ka'bah was catapulted during the reign of Abdul Malik bin marwan's rule. Ibne Zubayr was eventually killed in Makkah by Hajjaj bin Yusuf. Here, Imam Husain is telling Abdullah bin Zubayr of his inevitable fate.




Sibt ibne Jawzi in his Tazkiratul Khawaas, writes that when Mohammad bin Hanafiyah received news of the departure of Imam Husain towards Kufa, he was performing the ablutions, and a jar was kept in front of him. He wept profusely until the jar became full of his tears. Then there was none in Makkah who was not grieved and afflicted by his departure, for they had tried their best to dissuade him from doing so. Then he recited the following couplets: “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.”

Then he recited the following verse of the Qur’an:

“And the behest of Allah is a Decree, irrevocable.”[ Surah al Ahzab: 38.]


# Relating to Imam Husain's departure from Makkah towards Iraq

Imam Husain left Makkah towards Iraq on the day of Tarwiyyah (eighth Zilhaj), before receiving the news of the martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqeel, who had in those very days revolted in Kufa. He was accompanied by his relatives, children and his Shi'ah.

It is stated in Matalibus Sa'ool and others, that there were eighty two men in the caravan with Imam Husain.

It is written in Al-Makhzoon fi Tasleeyatil Mahzoon, that Imam Husain gathered his fellow travellers, who had resolved to go with him to Iraq, and gave each of them ten gold Dinars and a Camel for carrying their luggage. Then he left Makkah on Tuesday, the eight of Dhu'l-Hijjah, the day of Tarwiyah, accompanied by eighty-two men among his Shi'ah, friends, retainers and his family.

(Irshad) Farazdaq the poet says, I went for the pilgrimage in the sixtieth year of Hijra. When I reached the sacred precincts driving the Camel, I saw Imam Husain leaving Makkah equipped with arms and equipment. I inquired as to whose caravan it was, to which they told me that it was of Husain bin Ali. I went towards him, saluted and said, "May Allah grant you your desire and may your desire be fulfilled! May my parents be your ransom O son of the Prophet! What makes you hasten from the Haj"? He relied,

"If I do not hasten to leave, I shall surely be arrested",

Then he asked me as to who I was. I replied that I was an Arab and then he did not ask me anything more. Then he asked,

"What news do you have regarding the people of Iraq"?

I replied, "Verily you have asked a wise question, the hearts of the people are with you, but their swords are against you. And destiny descends from the heavens and Allah does what He desires." Imam replied,


166 "You speak the truth, all matter is from Allah. Everyday He is in a (new) splendorous manifestation.[1]And if His Decree is the same what we desire, we offer thanks to Him for His blessings, and (only) His help should be sought to offer thanks to Him. Then if fate shuts the hopes, the one who has pure intentions and is pious, shall not be violated."

I replied, "Yes, may Allah grant you success in your hope and safeguard you from that which you fear." Then I put forward some questions regarding vows and the rites of Haj, he answered them and then moved away saluting me, thus we parted away.[45]

When Imam Husain left Makkah, Yahya bin Sa'eed bin al-Aas, alongwith a group of men met him, who were sent by Amr bin Sa'eed, and asked him as to where he intended going and ordered him to return back. Imam did not pay any heed to him. there ensued quarrel among them and they started flogging one another. But Imam and his companions resisted them fiercely.

It is stated in Iqdul Fareed that when Amr bin Sa'eed received the news of Imam's departure, he said, "Mount upon every Camels between the heavens and the earth and pursue him." The people were astonished by his speech and went in his pursuit but could not reach him.

(Irshad) Imam reached a place called Tan'eem, and met a caravan of revenue coming from Yemen which was sent by Baheer bin Raysan to Yazeed. The goods contained green weeds (Yemeni saffron) and clothes. Imam Husain (being the Imam of the age and Yazeed being an usurper of Caliphate) confiscated it and said to the drivers of the Camels that,

"Whoever among you desires to come with us till Iraq can do so, and we shall pay them for it and shall behave well with them. While whoever desires to go back, we shall pay them the cost until here and they can leave."

Thus, a few among them took their payment and left, while those who accompanied them were given proper value and clothes.


Notes:

[1] Surah al Rahman: 29.

[2] It is quite strange that let alone the evil and vicous men, even the faithful and devout muslims were reckless in assisting the Imam and to hasten to his call. Rather they considered Haj to be more important a duty that assisting the grandson of the propagator of Islam, who himself was a Guardian of Religion, Upholder of Faith, and a Refuge for Humanity. And who had come out to safeguard the sanctity and honour of Islam, to enjoin good and forbid evil, which he declared every now and then. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) in his lifetime had predicted numerous times the martyr­dom of his grandson and the eminence of his companions, yet they let him go his way and later lamented upon this cold attitude of theirs. It is preci­sely stated in the Qur'an: "What! Do people imagine that they will be left off on (their) saying: We believe! and they will not be tried"? (Surah al Ankaboot: 2)




(Kamil) Then he proceeded further until they reached Safah and met Farazdaq there. Then the contents of their meeting are the same as has been related earlier. There he received a letter of Abdullah bin Ja'far sent to Imam Husain with his sons Aun and Mohammad. It's contents were as follows: "Now then! I say to you in the name of Allah, return back as soon as you receive my letter, for I fear that the direction which you go will result in death and the extirpation of your family. And if this happens, the earth will turn dark, for you are the light of guidance and the hope of the believers. Do not make haste for I am following this letter. Salutations."

Tabari says that Abdullah bin Ja'far went to Amr bin Sa'eed bin al-Aas and said, "Write a letter addressing to Imam Husain offering him securi­ty, promising fairness and favour. Then impress upon him and request him (sincerely) to return back, so that he may be satisfied and thus return." Amr bin Sa'eed replied, "Do write as you desire and bring it back to me so that I may affix my seal on it." Abdullah wrote the letter and brought it back to Amr and said, "Send your brother Yahya with this letter, so that the Imam may be assured that the letter is your effort." He did as direct­ed. Amr bin Sa'eed was designated as the Governor of Makkah by Yazeed.

Yahya and Abdullah bin Ja'far went with the letter to Imam Husain and gave it to him. Yahya read the letter. When they returned, they said that when we presented the letter to Imam Husain and requested him to return back, he excused himself saying,

"I saw the Holy Prophet in a dream and he entrusted a task to me, which I shall perform whether it benefits me or not."

I told him to relate to us his dream to which he said, "I have not related the dream to anyone nor shall I do so, until I reach the presence of my Lord."

It is related in Irshad that when Abdullah failed to dissuade Imam from returning back, he told his sons Aun and Mohammad to remain with him and go with him and safeguard him on his behalf (if the need arises). Then he returned with Yahya bin Sa'eed to Makkah.[1]


Notes:

[1] Abdullah, the son of Ja'far (at Tayyar) bin Abi Talib, nicknamed Bahrus Sakha (the Ocean of Munificence), was a geniune and sincere follower of Imam Husain and his family. His services to the Imam of his age and obedience can be verified by his rendering assistance to Imam Ali in the battle of Jamal and Siffeen. Imam Ali had given his daughter sayyedah Zainab in marriage to him. His attachment towards his uncle (Imam Ali) and his bold attitude towards his enemies, can be verified through his daring speech with Mu'awiyah in his house, wherein he strongly remonstrated Mu'awiyah for his hostility towards Imam Ali and his evil deeds. His sincerety towards Imam Husain


168 Tabari says that the contents of the letter of Amr bin Sa'eed were as follows: "In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful. From Amr bin Sa'eed to Husain bin Ali. Now then! I request the Almighty to keep you away from that which may cause your destruction, and to guide you to the path of reward. I have been informed that you are proceeding towards Iraq, I offer you in Allah's protection with both hands, and I fear that it may result in your ruination. I am despatching Abdullah bin Ja'far and Yahya bin Sa'eed to you, hence return back to me. I pledge security, kindness, virtue and favour for you, and Allah is a Witness, Guarantor, Surety and an Attorney over it. And peace be upon you."

Imam Husain replied to him:

"Now then! The one, who invites towards Allah and performs virtuous deeds and says that he is a Muslim, has not disassociated with Allah and His Prophet. And you have invited me towards security, virtue and kindness, while the best security is that of Allah. Then the one, who does not fear Allah in this world, shall not receive His refuge in the Hereafter. We desire from Allah that we may fear him in this world, so as to awail His security in the Hereafter. If your intention through this letter is kindness and virtue, then may Allah reward you fa­vourably in this world as well as the Hereafter."

(Irshad) Imam Husain hastened towards Iraq and did not look behind until he reached Zatul Irq. Here, the prophesy of the Commander can be con­firmed from the above narratives wherein he tries all possibe means to assist him and render him security. In some narratives it is stated that the reason for him not accompaying Imam Husain was due to his ill-health. This may sound a bit unacceptable but an insincere person would never ever send his wife, children and brother alongwith the one, whom he knows would be killed. Rather he directed his sons to remain with their uncle and safeguard him.


Tabari, in the sixth volume of his Tareekhul Rusool wal Mulook, quotes an incident that when the news of Imam Husain's martyrdom was an­nounced, Abdullah bin Ja'far held a mourning assembly, so people came to him to offer their condolences (for the martyrdom of his sons Aun and Mohammad). His retainer Abul Lislas (or Salasil) said to him, "This is what we got from Husain." Abdullah was enraged and hurled a sandal at him say­ing, "O son of an adulteress woman! How dare you say something like that about Husain? By Allah! Had I been with him, I would not have liked to part with him before being killed defending him. By Allah! What consoles me is that both my sons were martyred in his defense, together with my brother as well as my cousin, who all stood firmly on his side." Then he turned towards those in his presence and said, "Praise to Allah! It is surely very heavy upon my heart to see Husain get killed, and that I could not defend him with my life, but both my sons have." These being the words of an honest and sincere adherer of the Household (Ahlulbayt) of the Prophet.


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Faithful Imam Ali was fulfilled. Shaikh Toosi in his Amali has related from Ammarah Dehni, that he says, that Abu Tufayl told me, that Mu­sayyab bin Najabah came to the presence of Imam Ali catching hold of Abdullah bin Saba. Imam Ali asked as to what had happened. He re­plied, "This man speaks a lie regarding Allah and His Prophet." Imam asked him as to what he said. I could not hear what Musayyab said but I heard Imam Ali saying that,

"Alas! A man (Referring to Imam Husain) riding a swift and well-equipped Camel shall come to you not having per­formed the Haj or Umrah, and will be killed."

And when Imam Husain reached Zatul Irq (Malhoof) he met Bishr bin Ghalib, who was coming from Iraq, and inquired from him regarding the state of the people therein. He replied that, "I have seen the people in a state that their hearts are on your side, but their swords are with Bani Umayyah." Imam replied,

"This brother from Bani Asad says the truth, Allah does whatever He desires and orders whatever He wills."

(Irshad) When Ubaydullah bin Ziyad received news that Imam Husain was proceeding towards Kufa, he sent Haseen bin Tameem, his police officer, towards Qadisiyyah. Then he organised an army from Qadisiyyah to Khaffan and from Qadisiyyah to Qatqataniyah. He then announced to the people that Husain bin Ali was coming towards Iraq.

Mohammad bin Abu Talib Musawi relates, that when Waleed bin Utba received the news that Imam was proceeding towards Iraq, he wrote to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad: "Now then! Husain is coming towards Iraq, and he is the son of Fatemah and Fatema is the daughter of the Prophet of Allah. Beware lest you behave badly with him and invite commotion for yourself and your relatives in this world, which will never be diminished, while the distinguished people and the commoners will never forget it until the end of this world." But Ubaydullah paid no heed to Waleed's words.

Rayashi, through his chain of transmittors, relates that the narrator said, that I went for the Pilgrimage and became aloof from my companions and started walking alone and lost my way. Suddenly my sight fell upon some tents and mules, I went towards them and inquired as to whose tents they were. They replied that the tents were of Husain. I asked that was it Husain the son of Ali and Fatemah, and they replied in the af­firmative. I inquired as to which particular tent he was and they pointed it to me. I went and saw that the Imam was sitting at the door of the tent reclining on a pillow and reading a letter. I saluted him and he answered. I said, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! May my parents be your ransom! Why have you haulted at such a barren


170 desert, devoid of population or for­tresses"? Imam replied,

"The people have terrified me and these are the letters of the people of Kufa who will kill me. Then when they have performed this crime, after having left no sanctity being violated, Allah will appoint a man over them, who will slaughter them and dishonor them more than the people of a slave-girl."

I (the author) say, that we strongly perceive that the 'people of the slave-girl' is an error, while the correct one is Faram (menstrual cloth) of a slave-girl, for it is related that Imam Husain said,

"By Allah! They will not leave me until they spill the blood of my heart, then when they do so, Allah will appoint a man over them, who will humiliate them more than the Faram of a woman"

while Faram is a menstrual cloth.

(Irshad) When Imam reached Hajir in Batne Ummah, he despatched Qays bin Musahhir Saydawi to Kufa, while some say that he sent his foster brother Abdullah bin Yaqtoor. He had not yet received the news of the Martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqeel, and he sent a letter with him:

"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. From Husain bin Ali to his believer and Muslim brothers. I praise Allah Almighty, besides Whom there is no other Deity. Now then! I have received the letter from Muslim bin Aqeel, inform­ing me regarding the fairness of your intentions and the compliance of your noblemen to assist us and seek our rights. I invoke Allah, the Honour­able, the Glorified, that we may face fairness and reward you with the greatest reward. I have left Makkah on Tuesday, the eighth of Zilhaj, the day of Tarwiyyah. When my messenger reaches you, speeden up your task and prepare yourselves that I shall reach you within some days. Peace be upon you and Allah's Mercy and His Blessings"

While Muslim had written a letter to Imam Husain twenty seven days prior to his Martyrdom, which read as follows: "Now then! The person, who goes in search of water, does not lie to his family regarding it. Eighteen thousand people (of Kufa) have pledged allegiance at my hands, thus as soon as you receive my letter, hasten to come." And the people of Kufa had written to Imam that, "You have a hundred thousand swords here (to assist you), thus do not delay."

Qays bin Musahhir Saydawi left for Kufa with Imam's letter. When he reached Qadsiyyah, he was arrested by Haseen bin Tameem, who sent him to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. Ubaydullah said, "Sit on the pulpit and curse the liar and son of the liar" (referred to Imam Husain, Allah's refuge).

(Malhoof) At another place, it is related that when he neared Kufa, Haseen bin Nameer stopped him so as to search him. Qays removed the letter of Imam


171 and tore it, thus Haseen sent him to Ubaydullah. When he was made to stand facing Ubaydullah, he questioned him as to who he was. Qays replied, "I am one of the Shi'ah of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali and his son." He asked him as to why he tore the letter. Qays replied, "So that you may not be aware as to what was written therein." Ubaydullah asked as to who had written it and to whom was is addressed to. Qays replied, "It was from Husain bin Ali to a group of the people of Kufa, whose names I do not know." Ubaydullah was infuriated and said, "You shall not go away from me until you reveal their names, or ascend the pulpit and curse Husain bin Ali, his father and his brother, or else I shall seperate each of your joints." Qays replied, "I shall not reveal their names but am ready to curse." Saying this he ascended the pulpit and started praising and glori­fying Allah. Then he offered salutations upon the Prophet and started praising Imam Ali, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain and asked for Allah's abundant blessings to be bestowed upon them. Then he sent curses upon Ubaydullah, his father and all the oppressors of Bani Umayyah, from the beginning until the end. Then he said, "O people! I have been sent by Imam Husain towards you and I have left him at such and such place, then respond to his call." When Ubaydullah was informed as to what Qays said, he ordered that he should be thrown from the top of the palace. Thus he was martyred. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

(Irshad) It has been related that he was thrown down with his hands bound together and his bones were crushed, and while some life was still present in him, Abdul Malik bin Umayr Lakhmi came and cut off his head. When people ridiculed him for this act he said, "I desired to relieve him of the pain and hence I did that."

Imam Husain then left Hajir and reached a watering place of the Arabs, where Abdullah bin Mutee' Adawi was residing. When he saw the Imam, he went upto him and said, "May my parents be your ransom! O son of the Prophet of Allah! Why have you come here"? He helped the Imam dismount and took him to his place. Imam said,

"As you must have heard that Mu'awiyah has died, and the people of Iraq have written to me and invited me towards them."

Abdullah bin Mutee' replied, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! I request you in the name of Allah to consider the sanctity of Islam, besides the sanctity of Quraysh and the Arabs. By Allah! If you seek the kingdom, which the Bani Umayyah hold, they shall surely kill you. And when they have killed you they shall not fear anyone else after you. By Allah! Thus the sanctity of Islam, Quraysh and the Arabs will be violated. Hence do not do so, and do not go to Kufa and do not expose yourself to the Bani Umayyah." But Imam did not


172 agree and intended proceeding further.

Ubaydullah had ordered that the roads from Waqisa till Syria and Basra be closed, so that none could enter therein nor leave from there. Imam Husain, unaware of the happenings (in Kufa), proceeded further until he met some nomads. He inquired from them and they replied, "By Allah! We do not know anything else except that we cannot enter therein nor come out." Thus Imam continued to go further.

It is related that when he reached Khuzaymiyah, he haulted there for one night and day. In the morning his sister Hazrat Zainab came to him and said, "O dear brother! Should not I relate to you what I heard last night"? Imam asked her as to what she had heard. She replied, "During night when I came out of the tent for some task, I heard a caller saying: O eyes strive and get full of tears, who shall weep after me over these martyrs, who are being draged by destiny to fulfil the promise." Imam Husain replied,

"O dear sister! Whatever has been decreed shall come to pass."

Tabari in his Tareekh relates, that Imam proceeded further until he reached the watering place above Zarood.

Abu Makhnaf says that Saddi, a man from Bani Fazara, related to me, that in the days of Hajjaj bin Yusuf, we had taken refuge in the house of Al-Harth bin Abi Rabi'ah, located in the street of the date-sellers. After the death of Zuhayr bin Qayn, it had been snatched away from Bani Amr bin Yashkur, while the Syrians did not come there. Saddi says that I asked the man of Bani Fazara, "Relate to me regarding your accompanying Imam Husain from Makkah." He said, "We left Makkah with Zuhayr bin Qayn Bajali and were travelling alongside Imam Husain. We despised haulting alongside the Imam at any place. Whenever Husain bin Ali would leave from a particular place, Zuhayr would stay behind, and if Husain would hault at a particular place, Zuhayr would leave from there, until we reached a place where there was no way except to pitch our tents alongside him. Hence we pitched our tents on one side and Husain on the other. We were having our lunch when the messenger of Husain came to us, saluted and came inside the tent. Then he said, "O Zuhayr! Abu Abdullah (Imam Husain) has sent me to you to invite you to come to him." We dropped whatever (morsel of food) was there in our hands as if birds sat still on our heads."

Abu Makhnaf says that Dulham binte Amr, the wife of Zuhayr told me that: I told Zuhayr, "The son of the Prophet of Allah has sent his messenger to you, so why do you not go to meet him? Glory be to Allah! I desire that you go to him and listen to what he has to say, then return back." She says that Zuhayr went and after a short time returned with a brightened face. Then he ordered that his belongings and tent should be shifted to that of Imam Husain


173. Then he told me, "I have divorced you. Return back to your family, for I desire that you should face nothing except goodness from my side."

It is related in Malhoof that Zuhayr bin Qayn said, "I have decided to assist Imam Husain until I sacrifice my life for him." Then he gave his dower to his wife and handed her over to his cousin, so that he may reach her to her relatives. The woman arose and bade farewell to her hus­band, with tears in her eyes and said, "May Allah be your aid and send goodness for you. I only desire from you that on the day of Qiyamah you should remember me in the presence of Husain's Grandfather.

Tabari says that then Zuhayr told his companions, "The one who desires to come with me can do so, or else this is my last covenant with him. And I desire to relate to you an incident, when we had fought the battle of Lanjar and Allah gave us victory. We won a lot of spoils in hand, when Salman Bahili (some say Salman Farsi) told us: Are you contented with this victory which has been given to you and with the wealth that has come to you? And we replied in the affirmative. Then he said: When you meet the Prince of the youth from the Progeny of Mohammad (referring to Imam Husain), be more joyful to fight alongside him than you are with the booty that you just received." Zuhayr continued, "I give you in Allah's refuge." Then Zuhayr always remained among the companions of Imam until he attained martyrdom.

It is related that when Zuhayr was martyred alongwith Imam Husain, his wife sent her retainer to Karbala to shroud his master.

It is written in Tazkirah of Sibt ibne Jawzi, that Zuhayr was martyred alongwith Imam Husain. When his wife received the news, she told her retainer, "Go and give shroud to your master." When the retainer came he saw that the body of Imam was lying without shroud, thus he said to him­self, "How can I give shroud to my master and leave Husain without it, by Allah this can never happen." Then he gave the shroud to Imam Husain and brought another shroud for Zuhayr.

(Irshad) Abdullah bin Sulayman and Mundhir bin Mushma'il Asadi, two men from Bani Asad, relate that we performed our Haj and we desired nothing else except to meet Imam Husain so as to be acquainted as to where his matter had reached. We started galloping our horses speedily until we reached Zarood and found him. Suddenly we saw a man coming from Kufa. When he saw Imam Husain, he tried to change his track. Imam too stopped for a moment as if desiring to meet him, he did not pay any heed and left. We proceeded towards him and one of us told the other, "Come, we should go to that Kufan and inquire from him the state of Kufa." Saying this we went upto him and saluted. He replied our salutation. I asked him as to which tribe he


174 belonged to. He replied that he was from the tribe of Bani Asad. We said that we too were from Bani Asad. Then we asked him his name. He replied that he was Bakr bin so and so. We too revealed our ancestry to him and inquired from him the state of Kufa. He replied, "Yes I am aware of the happenings of Kufa. I have not left Kufa until I saw Muslim bin Aqeel and Hani bin Urwah being martyred. I saw that their legs were tied with ropes and their corpses being dragged in the streets of Kufa."

Then we went towards Imam and started walking with him until he haulted at Sa'labiyah at night. We went closer and saluted him. He answered our salu­tation and we said, "We have got news for you, if you desire we should relate it to you in the open, and if you desire we should narrate it to you in secrecy." He looked towards us and his companions and said, "There is nothing hidden from them." Then we said, "Did you see the Camel-rider, who was coming towards us yesterday"? Imam replied,

"Yes, I saw him and I wish I could inquire from him."

We continued, "By Allah! We asked him in your stead. The person was from our clan and was intelligent, honest and of a sound judgement, and he said that he had not left Kufa until he saw Muslim bin Aqeel and Hani bin Urwah being martyred, and their corpses being dragged into the streets of Kufa." Imam replied,

"Verily we are Allah's and verily unto Him shall we return. May Allah's blessings be upon both of them."

He repeated it several times, then we said, "We ask you in the name of Allah regarding yourself and your family to go away from here. You do not have any companions or supporters in Kufa. We fear lest people therein might unite in hostility againt you."

Then Imam turned towards the children of Aqeel and said,

"What is your opinion now that Muslim has been martyred"?

They replied, "By Allah! We shall not return back, until we avenge the blood of Muslim or we might be killed." Then Imam turned towards us and said,

"There is no goodness in life after them."

Then we concluded that without doubt he wanted to go, and said,

"May Allah bestow fairness upon you."

Then he said,

"May Allah's mercy be upon both of you."

Then his companions said, "By Allah! Surely, you hold a more higher status than Muslim. Then if you go to Kufa people will respond to you call." Then Imam became silent and waited until dawn. Then he told his companions and


175 retainers to take water as much as they could, and proceeded further.

(Malhoof) It is related that when it dawned, a man from the inhabitants of Kufa, named Abu Hirrah, came and saluted Imam Husain and said, "O son of the Prophet! Why did you leave the Sanctuary of Allah and His Prophet"? Imam replied,

"Woe be to you O Abu Hirrah! The Bani Umayyah confiscated my wealth but I bore it patiently, they insulted me and I tolerated, but then they desired to spill my blood (in the Sacred Sanctury). By Allah! An oppressive group of people will kill me and Allah will humiliate them and will assign a sharp-edged sword over them. Then Allah will appoint a man over them, who will humiliate them more severely than the people of Saba, whose ruler was a woman, who governed their wealth and lives."

The Noble Shaikh Abu Ja'far Kulaini relates from Hakam bin Utaybah, that a person met Imam Husain at Sa'labiyah, when he had intended going to Karbala (or Kufa). He came and saluted the Imam, who answered and asked him as to where he was from. He replied that he was a Kufan. Imam said,

"By Allah O brother from Kufa! If I had met you in Madina, I would have shown you the traces of Jibra'eel in my house where he brought, the Revelations (Wahy) upon my grandfather. O brother from Kufa! Verily the wise men questioned us and gained knowledge, then it is quite impracticle that we should not be knowing this (regarding the martyrdom)."

Then he hastened until he reached Zubalah, where he received the news of the martyrdom of Abdullah bin Yaqtur.

(Malhoof) In another tradition it is related, that he received the news of the Martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqeel there (in Zubalah).

(Irshad, Tabari) Then he removed a letter and read it in the presence of the people:

"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Now then! We have received a heart rending news that Muslim bin Aqeel, Hani bin Urwah and Abdullah bin Yaqtur have been martyred, and the ones claiming to be our Shi'ah have deserted us. Those of you who would like to go away may do so, they shall not be reproached and the allegiance has been lifted off from them."

Thus people started moving away from his midst, until only those remained with him, who had accompanied him from Madina, or those few who had joined him on the way. He took this step, for the nomads accompany­ing him thought that he would go to the place where people would obey him. Hence the Imam did not desire to keep them in the dark and wanted only those (genuine) men to remain with him who knew what would ultimately happen.


176
It is because of this that the Imam always remembered Prophet Yahya (the son of Prophet Zakariyyah) and would hint that he too would be killed likewise and his severed head would be taken a token of gift (as that of Prophet Yahya).

(Malhoof) It is related from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen that,

"We accompanied Imam Husain from Makkah, and he did not hault at any place or left that place, except that he remembered Prophet Yahya. Then one day he said, "One of the wretched things of the world in the sight of Allah is that the head of Yahya was taken as a token of gift to one of the adulteress of Bani Israel."

(Irshad) When it dawned, he told his companions to collect water in large quantity and they proceeded further until they reached Batnul Aqbah and haulted there. There he met a man from Bani Ikrimah named Amr bin Lawzan, and he asked Imam where he intented to go. Imam replied that he intented to go to Kufa. Hearing this he said, "I invoke you in the name of Allah to return back, for your hosts will be none other than the points of the lances and the edges of the swords. If those people (the Kufans), who have invited you had prepared themselves to face the battlefield and had straightened the affairs for you, then it would have been fine to go to them, but the case is quite averse, as I have informed you. Hence in my opinion you should abandon going there." Imam replied,

"O slave of Allah! I am not unaware of what you opine, but none can go against the commands of the Almighty."

He then continued,

"By Allah! These people will not leave me until they spill the blood of my heart, and when they have done this, Allah will appoint a person over them, who will make them the most humil­iated among nations."

Shaikh Abul Qasim Ja'far bin Mohammad bin Qawlawayh relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that when Imam Husain bin Ali reached Batnul Uqba, he addressed his companions that,

"I see myself being murdered."

They asked him, "Why so O Aba Abdillah"? He replied that he had dreamt regarding it and they asked him what it was. To which he replied,

"I saw that dogs have been injuring me, and a pie-bald dog is wretched among them all."

Saying this he proceeded further until he reached Sharaf, and at dawn, he commanded his men to collect water in large quantity, and proceeded fur­ther.

# Information to Al-Hurr bin Yazeed ar Riyahi, his encounter with Imam Husain and resisting him from going towards Kufa

(Irshad, Tabari) Then Imam Husain started paving the way from Sharaf until afternoon, and while they were proceeding, one of his compan­ions called out “Allaho Akbar.” Imam Husain 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 has­tened towards Zu Husam and reached there before them, then Imam ordered the tents to be pitched. The people, who were numbered around one thousand horsemen, were under the command of Al-Hurr bin Yazeed 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,


178 “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 alongwith Al-Hurr and was the last one to reach there. When Imam Husain saw my and my Horse’s thirst he said,

“Sit your Rawiyah down.”

I thought, by Rawiyah he meant the water-skin. When Imam realised 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]

Al-Hurr had come from Qadsiyyah, where Ubaydullah bin Ziyad had designated Haseen bin Nameer to be there on guard. Then he despatched Al-Hurr bin Yazeed with a thousand soldiers towards Imam Husain. Al-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,


Notes:

[47] 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 Husain, for he is the son of Imam Ali who had done the same in the battle of Siffeen. Upon arrival in Siffeen, Imam Ali's army found it's excess to water front barred by a strong contingent of the Syrian forces. Imam Ali sent Sa'sa' bin Sawhan, a companion of the Prophet (s.a.w.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'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."


179
“O people! I did not come to you until I re­ceived 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 Husain turned towards Al-Hurr and said,

“If you desire, you may recite the Prayers with your companions.”

Al-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. Al-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 time of Asr came, Imam commanded his companions to ready them­selves 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 Mohammad, 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.”

Al-Hurr replied, “By Allah! I do not not 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. Al-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 death is nearer to you than this.”


180
Then he directed his companions to mount and they complied. When they started proceeding, Al-Hurr stopped their way to which Imam said,

“O Al-Hurr! May your mother mourn over your death, what do you intend”?

Al-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”?

Al-Hurr said, “I desire to take you to the commander Ubaydullah.” Imam said,

“By Allah! I shall not do so.”

Al-Hurr said, “By Allah! I too shall not leave you.” They repeated this thrice, and when their conversation got heated, Al-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 Yazeed or Ubaydullah, and Allah should bring forth fairness, so that I may not be entangled in your matter.” Imam turned his horse towards Qadisiyyah and Uzayb towards the left, and Al-Hurr and his followers travelled by their side.

Tabari relates from Azdi, that Uqbah bin Abu Eizar relates, that Imam Husain delivered a sermon at Bayzah amidst his companions and that of Al-Hurr’s. He praised and glorified Allah and said,

“O people! The Prophet has said, that when you see an oppressive ruler legitimising that which has been prohibited by Allah and breaking His covenant, and opposing the cus­toms 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 oppres­sor. 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 them­selves, 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 Husain, the son of Ali and Fatemah the daugther of the Prophet of Allah. My life is asso­ciated with you and my family with yours, and you should be symphathetic towards me. And if you do not do so and have commited


181 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 commited breach of trust shall himself face deceit, and very soon Allah will make me independ­ent of you. Peace be upon you and Allah’s Mercy and Abundance.”

(Irshad) Uqbah bin Abu Eizar says, that Imam Husain 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 colour and has shown unacquaintance. It’s 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 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 favoured 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 (Resurrection) your Grandfather may intercede for us.”

(Kamil, Irshad) Al-Hurr, who was traveling alongside the Imam, came up to him and said, “O Husain! 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,


182 when he intended assisting the Prophet of Allah.

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 Al-Hurr heard these words he parted from Imam Husain 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 No’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 Husain, 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 traveller, until you reach a far sighted brave man, who is honorable and munificent, who has been 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 honour, 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 Husain against such rebellious people, who are a remnants of disbelief, the two sons of Sakhr (Abu Sufyan) viz. Yazeed who is a habitual drinker of wine, and Ibne Ziyad, who is an adulteror and an illegitimate son.”

When these persons reached Imam Husain, Al-Hurr proceeded towards them and said, “These people are the natives of Kufa, I shall arrest them or despatch 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 Al-Hurr withdrew.

Imam Husain 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


183 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 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 Ibne Ziyad, and he had ordered Qays to curse you and your fa­ther. Qays mounted the pulpit and sent salutations upon you and your father and condemned Ibne Ziyad and his father. He invited the people to assist you and informed them of your arrival. Then Ibne 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 fulfill­ment), and they have not changed the least.”[ Surah al Ahzab: 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 name of Allah not to move even a span towards them, and go to a town which is fortified, then hault there until you take a decision and think over your plan of action. Come alongwith me, I shall hault you at the mountain of Aja, which is fortified. This mountain has shielded us against the kings of Ghassan and Hameer, No’man bin Mundhir, and the redskinned and fair-skinned men (foreigners), and we have (always) taken refuge in it. By Allah! We have never faced disgrace, I shall come alongwith you and give you place therein. Then you may despatch 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 Husain replied,

“May Allah reward you and your people favourably! 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 genei 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 compan­ions.” Imam replied,

“Allah’s Mercy be upon you! Then hasten”!

I realised 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 Husain, hence I returned.

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 Husain, he returned. 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 narra­tive 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 haulted there. He saw a tent pitched there and inquired as to whose tent it was. People replied that it was of Ubaydullah bin Al-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 upto him and said, “Imam Husain, 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 Husain bin Ali. By Allah! I do not desire to see him or he should see me.” Hajjaj returned 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 ex­cused 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 Husain arose and went towards his tent.

It is relevant that here we relate regarding Ubaydullah bin Al-Hurr Jo’fi: Mirza (Mohammad Astarabadi) in his book Rijale Kabeer relates from Naj­jashi, that Ubaydullah bin Al-Hurr Jo’fi was a horseman and a poet. He had a book related from the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali. Then Mirza quotes through his chain of narrators that Ubaydullah asked Imam Husain about the dye his 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 Siffeen alongside Mu’awiyah due to (his affection for) Usman. When Imam Ali was martyred he returned to Kufa and resided there. When the people prepared for the martyrdom of Imam Husain, 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 Husain, Ubaydullah bin Ziyad in­spected the noblemen of Kufa. He could not find Ubaydullah bin Al-Hurr, and after some days when he came back he went to meet Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. Ubaydullah asked him, “O son of Al-Hurr! Where were you”? He said that he was unwell. To which Ubaydullah asked, “Were you emotionally unwell or physi­cally”? He replied, “My heart is not unwell, as regards my body, Allah has favoured 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 light, for a person like me cannot remain concealed from sight.” When Ibne 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 Al-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 Husain, the son of Fatemah, 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.”


186
It is related in the context of his couplets that he was ashamed for not assisting Imam Husain, 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 following cou­plets: “O regrets and O grief! and until the time I am alive, this re­morse shall be upon my soul and my neck, when Husain 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 defend­ing the Imam, the son of Mustafa, 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, then if the heart of the one regretting could be ripped open, I wish my heart would be torn, it is very much true that those who have supported and assisted Husain 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 Al-Hurr was from among the noblemen and warriors of Kufa.

The Honourable, Sayyed Mahdi Bahrul Uloom says in his Rijal, that Shaikh Najjashi has included Ubaydullah bin Al-Hurr Jo’fi in the list of the ancient devout Shi’ah. He is the same person, whom Imam passed after meeting Al-Hurr bin Yazeed Riyahi and asked for his help but he declined.

Shaikh Sadooq in his Amaali, relates from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq that when Imam Husain reached Qatqataniyah, he saw a tent pitched and inquired as to whose tent it was. People replied that it was of Abdullah bin Al-Hurr Hanafi (while the correct name is Ubaydullah bin Al-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 (Ahlulbayt), and does not hasten to assist us, Allah shall throw him head-long into the fire of hell.”


187
Shaikh Mufeed in his Irshad says, that when Imam Husain reached Qasre Bani Maqatil, he saw a tent pitched there … (till the end as quoted earlier).

Then Sayyed Tabatabai Bahrul Uloom relates, that Shaikh Ja’far bin Mohammad ibne Nima in his Sharhus Sar fee Ehwalil Mukhtar, writes that Ubaydullah bin Al-Hurr bin Mujme’ bin Khuzaym Jo’fi was among the noblemen of Kufa. Imam Husain came to him and invited him to join his ranks, but he de­clined 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, “Favour him with wealth and blind his eyes.” Thus Ibraheem proceeded accompanied by Ubaydullah until he reached Takrit and haulted there. He ordered the taxes to be collected and then 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 sta­tus) than you.” And as much as Ibraheem sweared 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 Husain, and why he did not remain with Mukhtar and said: “When Mukhtar invited people for revenge, the followers of the Household (Ahlulbait) came for­ward, 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 trans­gressor.”


188
After quoting these couplets, Sayyed Bahrul Uloom says that according to my opinion, under all circumstances, Ubaydullah bin Al-Hurr Jo’fi was a believer, but was an offender. You have seen that he declined to assist Imam Husain 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 Husain, 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 Al-Hurr Jo’fi were Shi’ah, which includes Adeem, Ayyub and Zakariyyah, who were the companions of Imam Ja’far as Sadiq. Najjashi has quoted regarding them and says that Adeem and Ayyub were among the reliable men, and he also ascribes a book to Zakariyyah.

# Imam Husain on way to Kufa

Our Shaikh Sadooq, through his successive chain of narrators, relates from Amr bin Qays Mashriqi, who says that I alongwith my cousin came to the presence of Imam Husain at Qasre Bani Maqatil. We saluted the Imam and my cousin asked him, "The colour 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 Honoured, the Glorfied, 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 alongwith 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 Husain, who was riding a horse, came upto him and asked, "Why did you (suddenly) praise Allah and utter the words 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


190 advancing towards them. I perceived that they were our spirits informing us of our death."

Ali bin Husain 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 Husain recited the morning Prayers and hastily ascended his horse and turned towards the left. He tried to dispel his companions (from Al-Hurr's army). Then Al-Hurr bin Yazeed came up to him and desisted him and his companions from doing so. And as much as Al-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 Husain haulted 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 Al-Hurr and his companions and did not salute Imam and his companions. Then he handed over the letter of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad to Al-Hurr, whose contents were as follows: "Now then! As soon as my letter and messenger reaches you, be severe towards Husain. And let him hault 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 Al-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 wherev­er this letter reaches me. And this is his messenger, who shall not part with me until I carry out his orders."

(Tabari) Then Yazeed bin Muhajir Abul Sha'sa Kindi looked at the messenger of Ibne 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 re­plied, "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: 41) while your Imam is one of them."


191
(Irshad) Al-Hurr thus forced Imam and his companions to hault at that place, devoid of habitation nor water. Imam said,

"Woe be to you! Leave us, so that we may hault at this village (Ninawa or Ghaziriyyah) or that (Shu­fiyyah)."

Al-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 strenght 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 Moharram sixty-first year of migration.

Sayyed ibne Tawoos says, that Imam Husain stood amidst his compan­ions and delivered a sermon. He praised and glorified Allah and sent salu­tations 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 Al-Hurr.

# Imam Husain's hault at the ground of Karbala, Umar bin Sa'ad's entry, and the circumstances thereat

When Imam Husain stopped at the plain of Karbala, (Kamil) he in­quired 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 ibne Jawzi has written in his Tazkirah, that Imam Husain asked as 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: Ummu-Salamah has informed me, that one day Jibra'eel came to the presence of Prophet Mohammad, and you (Imam Husain) 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 Husain 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 ibne Jawzi relates from Sha'bi, that when Imam Ali was proceeding towards Siffeen, he came face to face with Ninawa, which was a village near the river Euphrates. Imam haulted there and commanded his


193 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 said,

"One day I went to the presence of the Holy Prophet 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 Husain 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 Bihaar al-Anwaar from Kharaej, that Imam Mohammad al Baqir says, that one day Imam Ali went out with his com­panions 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 haulting station, the place of martyr­dom of the felicitious martyrs, which has not been acquired by the ancient, while those after them shall not reach it too."

(Malhoof) When Imam Husain 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 haulting place. Here will our blood be shed and here shall we be buried. My Grandfather, the Prophet of Allah has foretold me regarding it."

Everyone complied to his order and dismounted, while Al-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 Al-Hurr dismounted his army opposite Imam Husain. Then Al-Hurr wrote to Ubaydullah informing him that Imam Husain had haulted at Karbala.

It is stated in Murujuz Zahab, that Imam Husain proceeded towards Karbala accompanied by five hundred horsemen and around a hundred on foot from his family and companions.

It is related in Bihaar al-Anwaar from Manaqib that Zuhayr bin Qayn said, "Take us along, so that we may hault at Karbala near the bank of the river


194 Euphrates, and we shall hault 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 Al-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 Husain 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)",

which has been related earlier in context of his sermon delivered in the presence of his companions and that of Al-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 fol­lowers (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, 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 intented 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


Notes:

[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 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" (Surah al Fath: 10). Qaseteen or the deviators, referred to by Imam Ali to the group who fought against him at Siffeen, derived from the Qur'anic verse "And as for the deviators (Qasetoon), they shall be a fuel for the hell" (Surah al Jinn: 15). Mareqeen or those who missed the religion, referred to by Imam Ali to the


195 end of Imam Ali 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 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! Allah has graced us through you that we may be cut to pieces in front of you and on the day of Qiyamah your Grandfa­ther 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 Husain 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 Wed­nesday or Thursday entered Karbala on the second of Moharram 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 affirma­tive. He said,

"This is the place of grief and trials and this is the place of the resting of our Camels, our haulting place, station of our martyrdom and where our blood shall be spilled."

Then they dismounted there, and Al-Hurr accompanied with a thousand men too alighted facing him. Then he wrote to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad saying that Husain had encamped at Karbala. group of Kharijites who fought against him at Naharwan, derived from a Prophetic Tradition.


196
Ubaydullah bin Ziyad's letter to Imam Husain
"Now then O Husain! I have been informed that you have haulted at Karbala. Yazeed has written to me not to recline my head on the bed and not be sati­ated until I send you to Allah, or you submit yourself to me and Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah. Greetings."

When his letter reached Imam Husain, 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 Husain. 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 Husain entered therein, and it was the day of third of Moharram (thus it proves that he was prepared for it from the very beginning).

Shaikh Mufeed, Ibne 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. Ibne 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 Husain reached here, Ubaydullah called Umar bin Sa'ad and said, "Go and confront Husain and after accom­plishing 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 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 adviced 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


197 Husain, 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 Husain 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 Husain? should I kill him, then I will wind up in the hell from which there is no escape, while the governor­ship 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 Husain 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 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 en­camped opposite Imam Husain.

The author says that what Imam Ali had predicted came out to be true. Sibt ibne Jawzi in his Tazkirah relates that the eminence of Imam Ali 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 haulted at Ninawa.

(Irshad) When Umar bin Sa'ad reached Karbala, he called Urwah bin Qays Ahmasi and said, "Go to Husain 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 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


198 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 Husain, but I shall not let you go to him for you are a wicked man." Then they started abusing one another until Kaseer returned to Umar bin Sa'ad and informed him.

Umar called for Qurrah bin Qays Hanzali and said, "Woe be to you! Go to Husain 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"?

Habeeb bin Muzhaahir replied, "Yes, he is from the Hanzala 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 Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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 favour you." Qurrah replied, "I shall return back and convey Imam's message to Umar and think over it." He returned 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 Husain 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, "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 Husain that he and his companions should take the pledge of allegiance to Yazeed. 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."

Mohammad bin Abi Talib says, that Umar bin Sa'ad did not convey this


199 propo­sal of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad to Imam Husain, for he knew that the Imam would never pledge his allegiance to Yazeed. 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 Yazeed, 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 Yazeed too respects the slaves of Allah and makes them rich with wealth and honours them. He has increased your rights by a hundred times and has commanded me to increase it further and prepare you to fight his enemy Husain. Then listen to him and obey his orders." Saying this he alighted the pulpit and distributed abundant gifts among people and despatched them to assist Umar bin Sa'ad against Husain.

(Manaqib) Ubaydullah started despatching troops to Karbala until twenty thousand horsemen (Malhoof) gathered with Umar bin Sa'ad till the sixth of Moharram. (Tasleeyatul Majalis) Then Ubaydullah sent someone to Shabas bin Raba'ee saying, "Come to me so that I may despatch you to fight Husain." 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' [1]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 (Husain) and thus assist Umar bin Sa'ad." Shabas replied that he would surely do so (Manaqib) and he despatched him with an army of one thousand horse-men.

(Irshad, Tabari) Then Ubaydullah wrote to Umar bin Sa'ad: "Now then! Prevent Husain 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 Husain (i.e. 200 the seventh of Moharram)


(Tabari) Ubaydullah bin Haseen Azdi, who was registered (in the army) of the clan of Bajila, called out in a loud voice (Irshad): "O Husain! 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 Husain 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 vomitted 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 Husain in Karbala

It is written in Bihaar al-Anwaar, that Ubaydullah bin Ziyad kept despatching 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 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 Moharram.

Habeeb bin Muzhaahir came to Imam Husain and told him, “O son of the Prophet of Allah! 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 Habeeb, in the darkness of the night, disguised himself and went towards them. They recognized him and inquired from him as to what he desired. Habeeb 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 honour in this world as well as the Hereafter. I swear by Allah!
Whoever among you is martyred in the way of Allah alongwith the grandson of the Prophet of Allah, then he will be in the lofty station among the friends of Mohammad.” 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 Husain.

At that moment, a man from among them went and apprised Umar bin Sa’ad about the situation and he sent Ibne Azraq with four hundred horsemen


202 towards Bani Asad. When they (Bani Asad) were coming towards the army of Imam Husain, the horsemen of Umar bin Sa’ad stopped them on the bank of the river Euphrates. A quarell started between them which turned into a fierce battle. Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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 realised that they were incapable of resisting them, they returned to their tribe. They left their place that very night fearing Umar bin Sa’ad. Habeeb returned to Imam 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 Husain and his companions, and intense thirst troubled them. Imam lifted up an arrow and went behind the tent of the ladies, and measur­ing 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 Husain digs wells and drinks from therein alongwith his companions? Then when this letter reach­es 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.

Mohammad bin Talha and Ali bin Isa Irbili relate, that when thirst intensi­fied, a man from among Imam’s companions, named Yazeed bin Haseen Hamadani, who was a devout man, came to Imam Husain 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 Yazeed 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”? Yazeed replied, “If you had been a Muslim, as you say, then you would not have come to kill the progeny of the 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 recognise 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 diffi­cult task and I left for it at that very moment. By Allah! I cannot un­derstand, and


203 am stopped at a dangerous turn, which I do not hold dear. Should I leave the rulership 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 Husain and his companions increased, he called for his brother Abbas bin Ali 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 stan­dard. Amr bin Hajjaj Zubaydi saw him and asked as to who he 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 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 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 Husain sent Amr bin Qartah Ansari to Umar bin Sa’ad saying, “Come to meet me tonight between the two armies.” Umar came with 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 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 Yazeed 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.”


204
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). Husain 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 any other normal Muslim. Or that he would go to Yazeed and offer him his hand and the dis­agreement 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 propo­sal 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 Ibne Aseer relate from Uqba bin Sam’an that he says that: I accompanied Imam Husain 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 Husain had agreed to go to Syria and place his hand in the hand of Yazeed, 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 Moharram

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 you agree to his demands when he (Imam Husain) 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 alongwith 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 Husain and his compan­ions that they may submit to my orders without any conditions or stipula­tions. Then if they agree to it, he should despatch them alive to me, and if they disgree, 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 (Husain's) head and despatch it over to me." Then he wrote to Umar bin Sa'ad, "Now then! I had not sent you to Husain 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 Husain and his companions submit to my command, des­patch them over to me without battle. And if he disagrees, attack him and kill him. Then seperate 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 oppresser (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


206 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 Husain) 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 Hurayth bin Hasirah relates from Abdullah bin Shareek Amiri, that when Shimr had got the letter written, he arose alongwith Abdullah bin Abi Mahl, who was an uncle of Ummul Baneen, daughter of Hizam bin Khalid, and the wife of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali bin Abi Talib. Ummul Baneen had four sons from Imam Ali, 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 alongwith Husain, 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 docu­ment 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! Husain 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 shall not have this honour 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 Husain on Thursday the night of the ninth of Moharram with his army.


207
Proposal of security to Abbas bin Ali
Shimr came and stood facing the companions of Imam Husain 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 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 Husain 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 Husain.

(Kamil) It is related from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq that,

"Tasoo'ah (ninth) of Moharram is the day, when Imam Husain and his companions were besieged at Karbala by the army of Syria from all sides and of­floaded 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 Husain had no helpers or aides in Iraq. May my father be ransom upon the oppressed traveller."

When Umar bin Sa'ad ordered his troops to mount, they obeyed and advanced until they neared the tents of Imam Husain. (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 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 in a dream and he told me that tomorrow I shall be united with them."

Hearing this Hazrat Zaynab started beating her face and wailing. Imam Husain 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 came to Imam Husain and said, "O Master! These troops have come towards us." Imam arose and said, (Irshad, Tabari)


208
"O Abbas! May my life be your ranson! O dear brother! Mount and go to them and ask as to what has happened, what they intend and why have they come towards us."

Hazrat Abbas, accompanied by twenty sol­diers including Zuhayr bin Qayn and Habeeb bin Muzhaahir, 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 speedily galloped towards Imam and conveyed to him their message, while his companions stood there talking with the troops.

Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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 Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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, his family, his household and the virtuous people of his town, who stand up for the Midnight Prayers and remember Allah abun­dantly." Urwah bin Qays relied, "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 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 infact 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 realised 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, he returned 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 re­pent, for Allah knows that I befriend Prayers, reading the Qur'an, supplicating abdundantly and praying for forgiveness."

Thus Hazrat Abbas went towards them and when he returned to the Imam, a messenger of Umar bin Sa'ad was alongwith him. The messenger stopped from


209 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.

# Relating to the events of the night of Ashoora (the tenth of Moharram)

(Irshad) Imam Husain gathered his companions at night. Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen 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 compan­ions 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, favourable, 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 re­sponsibility 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 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 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."


211
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 along­side 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 fulfilment of your 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 ho­noured 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 obedi­ence. 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, infact 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 discourses: "O my Master! Even if the throne of my greatness reaches the empyrean, I shall remain your serv­ant 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 favourably with respect to Imam Husain Then Imam Husain returned 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."

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos relates, that it was said to Mohammad bin Bashar Hazra­mee 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 Husain heard his words and said,


212
"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 seperate 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 Mohammad bin Bashar.

Husayn bin Hamadan Hazeeni has related through his chain of authorities from Abu Hamza Sumali, while Sayyed Bahrani has related without quoting his chain of authorities from him, that he says that I heard from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen 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 responsibil­ity 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 abadoned 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 to Allah, that He has bestowed grace upon us to assist you, and has offered distinction to us to get martyred alongwith you. Then do we not like that we should be alongwith you in your elevated station (in Paradise) O son of the Prophet of Allah"? Imam replied, "May Allah reward you favour­ably" then he prayed for them. When it dawned all of them were martyred.

Then Qasim bin Hasan 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 re­plied, "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 alongwith me after having fallen prey to a severity, and my (infant) son Abdullah (Ali Asghar) shall be martyred too."


213
Hearing this Qasim asked, "O dear uncle! Then will the enemies reach the womenfolk so as to kill the suck­ling child Abdullah"? Husain 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 forebear and leave the ac­countability 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.

Qutbuddin Rawandi relates from Abu Hamza Sumali that Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen said that I was alongwith my father (Imam Husain) on the night preceding his martyrdom. Then he addressed his companions thus,

"Consider this night to be an armour 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 alongwith 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 Sadooq from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, 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 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."


214
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 says that on the night preceding the martyrdom of my father, I was awake while my aunt Hazrat Zaynab was attending to me. My father was alone in his tent, while Jaun, the re­tainer 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 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


Notes:

[1] The above narration cannot be relied upon due to some basic reasons: (1) There are numerous traditions which confirm that Imam Husain 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 Moharram. (2) In the above report Imam Husain 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 command­ed 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 avail­able in the tents of Imam Husain, then despatching Hazrat Abbas to fetch water on the day of Ashura and his subsequent martyrdom seems illogical, while Imam Husain taking his infant babe Ali Asghar 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 Husain, 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 Husain - Allamah Gulam Hasnain Kantoori). (5) In the above report of Shaikh Sadooq, 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 Mohammad 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 Husain since the seventh of Moharram. Allah knows best.


215 befell me but I bore it silently and realised that a calamity had befallen us. My aunt Zaynab 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 Fatemah, my father Ali and my brother Hasan 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 forebearence."

His eyes became full of tears and then he said,

"If a sandgrouse (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 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."

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 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 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 hum­ming 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 Husain, 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:


216
"The deliverer of the Holy Qur'an, and the 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) Abstinant from the world,

You always viewed it with the sight of the one who has to leave it soon."

Abu Amr Ahmed bin Mohammad Qurtubi Marwani narrates in his book Iqdul Fareed, that people inquired from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen 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 Husain 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, alongwith the group of his companions. He addressed me: O my dear son! You are a Martyr of the Progeny of Mohammad. The dwellers of the heavens and the heaven­ly 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 al-Aasim, who in turn relates from Zahhak bin Abdullah Mashriqi, who says that on the night of the tenth (of Moharram), Imam Husain and all his companions spent the entire night in prayers, repentence, supplications and lamenting. He says that a contingent of guards passed by us when Imam Husain was reciting the following verse of the Qur'an:

"Let not those who disbelieve think that our giving them respite is good for theirselves, We only give respite to them that they may increase in sins, and for them is a disgrace­ful chastisement. It is not for Allah to leave the believers in the state in which you are, until He has distinguished the


217 wicked from the fair ones."[1]

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 recognised that man and then asked Burayr bin Khuzayr whether he recognised 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 yours? 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 bene­fit 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 and our guard that night was Azrah bin Qays Ahmasi, who was the com­mander of the horsemen.

Sayyed ibne Tawoos says that on that night twenty-two men from the ranks of Umar bin Sa'ad joined the companions of Imam Husain.

It is related in Iqdul Fareed regarding Imam Husain'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 op­tions, and you disagree." Saying this they left his rank and came over to the Imam and fought alongwith him until all of them were martyred.

# Relating to the events of the day of Ashooraa, the array of the two armies and Imam Husain’s remonstration amidst the people of Kufa

Imam Husain 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 Ithbaat al-Wasiyyah.

(Malhoof) Then Imam called for the Prophet’s horse named Murtajaz and mounted it and prepared his companions for battle and positioned them­selves.

(Irshad) There were thirty two horsemen and forty foot-soldiers alongwith him.

It is related from Imam Mohammad al Baqir that there were forty five horsemen and a hundred foot-soldiers with him. Besides there are others reports regarding it.

It is related in Ithbaat al-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 was questioned regarding its interpretation, he said that from among them (the thousand) 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 com­panions of Imam al Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), while the remaining sixty one were martyred alongwith the Imam Husain (in Karbala).”

(Irshad) Imam Husain designated Zuhayr bin Qayn in charge of the right wing and Habeeb bin Muzhaahir in charge of the left wing, and handed over the standard of the army to his brother Abbas. They positioned


219 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 al-Aash’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, Al-Hurr bin Yazeed Riyahi over Tameem and Hamadan. All of them escorted Umar in the martyrdom of Imam Husain until the end except Al-Hurr, who went over to the Imam and attained martyrdom alongwith him. Umar also designated Amr bin Hajjaj Zubaydi in charge of the right wing, Shimr bin Ziljawshan in charge of the left wing, 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 alongwith my master, when the army prepared themselves for battle and turned towards Imam Husain. 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). 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 killed by their swords.” Then when Imam completed applying, we went and applied the Noorah. Then Imam Husain 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 that when the army proceed­ed towards Imam Husain 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 Husain surrounding his tents.

(Tabari) Azdi says that Abdullah bin al-Aasim 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 a horse and well-equipped with ammuni­tion, advanced towards us and without uttering a word inspected the tents. Then he retreated back and called out, “O Husain! You have hastened to­wards 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 Husain possessed a horse named Lahiq, which he had given to his son Ali (Akbar) to ride. When the enfantry 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 fulfil 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 jus­tice, 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 unjustly with me, then ‘Muster therefore your designs and (gather) your accomplises, then let not your designs be dubious, then execute on me and give no respite (to me)’. [1] And‘Verily my Protector is Allah Who sent down the Book (Qur’an) and He guards the virtuous ones’. [2]

When his sisters heard his words, they started weeping and wailing, along­with his daughters. Imam sent his brother Abbas bin Ali alongwith his son Ali (Akbar) to console and quiten 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, Angels and the other Prophets. He spoke with such eloquence that no one had ever done so before him nor after him. Then he said,

Imam Husain’s sermon on the day of Ashoora
“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 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 realised 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 Khu­dri, 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 Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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? 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 al-Aash’as! O Yazeed bin Hurayth! Have you not written let­ters 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 al-Aash’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)’ [1] and I take refuge with my Lord and yours, from every arrog­ant, who does not believe in the day of reckoning.”

Then the Imam dismount­ed 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 tribes­man named Kaseer bin Abdullah Sha’abi, who was present in Karbala, that when we laid seige upon Imam Husain, 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 follow­ers of the same Religion. Until the swords have not seperated us, we are of the same creed, thus advicing 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 tried us by means of the progeny of Prophet Mohammad so that He may be aware as to what you and we do. We now invite you to assist him (Imam Husain) 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 the intellectuals among you viz. Hujr bin Adi and his compan­ions, 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 alongwith him or to des­patch him alongwith his companions to the commander Ubaydullah in peace.”

Then Zuhayr said, “O servants of Allah! The son of Fatemah 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 Yazeed. By my life! Yazeed 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 mas­ter.” Zuhayr said, “Are you frightening me by death? By Allah! Dying with the Imam is more preferable in my eyes 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 Mohammad 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 Husain) says that by my life O Zuhayr! Return back. Verily you have adviced and admonished like the believer of the people of Fira’un had adviced and admonished his community.”

Speech of Burayr bin Khuzayr
It is stated in Bihaar al-Anwaar that Mohammad 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 Mohammad is present amongst you. They are his Progeny, Family, Daughters and the House­hold (Ahlulbayt). 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 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 relied, “Praise be to Allah, Who has made me fair-sighted among you. O Allah! I disassociate myself near You from their affairs. O Allah! Instil 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. Be­guiled is the one who falls prey to the deceit of 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 accom­plish 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 Mohammad, 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 Husain!

What is this that you speak, explain to us so that me may under­stand.” Imam replied,

“The essence of my speech is that I exhort you to fear Allah and do not 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 and my grandmother is Khadija, the wife of your Prophet. You may have heard my grandfather say, that ‘Hasan and Husain are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise.”

It is stated in Bihaar al-Anwaar, that in Manaqib it is related through chain of authorites, that Abdullah bin Mohammad 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 Husain 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 armymen and ordered them to remain firm upon their places and get hold of Imam Husain. Then they surrounded Imam from all sides, he came out and went near them and signalled 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 dio­beys me shall face perdition. All of you are disobeying me and not paying heed to my words, this is because 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 Sayyed ibne 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 Husain’s address to the people of Kufa
Sayyed ibne Tawoos relates that Imam Husain mounted his Camel (while some are of the opinion that it was a horse) and signalled 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 with great eloquence. Then he said,

“O people! May you be ruined and afflicted. You enthusiatically invited us to assist you, and we has­tened 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 alongwith 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, opin­ions 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 cus­tom, 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 of the illegitimte father (Ubaydullah bin Ziyad) has stationed me between unsheathing the swords or then bear humil­iation, and far be it that we accept humiliation. Verily Allah, His Proph­et, and the Sacred Laps which have nursed us, the modest and those who abhorr disgrace, disagree to it that we bow down to the ignoble men, and they exhort us to exhault being killed manly 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 Ibne 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 honourably killed under the sword over humiliation is Abu Abdullah Husain bin Ali bin Abi Talib. Immunity was offered to him and his companions, but he did not accept disgrace” (then he quotes the previous sermon of Imam). He (Ibne 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


227 favour of Mohammad bin Hameed Ta’i fit well for Imam Husain: 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 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 ap­peared when it turned into a green silk brocade dress.”

Sibt ibne Jawzee says, that my grandfather has quoted in Tabsirah, that Imam Husain went towards Kufa for he saw the Divine laws of Islam being broken, hence he intented 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 humiliat­ing for them and honourable death is not unlawful, they refused to taste the savour 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 Ibne Muljim.”

Here we quote some couplets composed in praise of Ahlulbayt by Sayyed Hayder in lamentation of Imam Husain: “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 except the Almighty, he refused but to live a life of honour and to clean the battlefield so that he may be cast upon it and lie down, he solely fought alongwith 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 Husain 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, who had got it from my grandfather,‘Muster therefore your designs and (gather) your accomplises, then let not your designs be dubious, then execute on me and give no respite (to me).’ [1] ‘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’. [1] O Allah! Hold back the rains of the heavens from them, and let them be entangled in the drought (similar as the time) of Prophet Yusuf, 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 con­clusion (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 Husain 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 worshippers (Magians) when they worshipped the sun and the moon instead of Him. And now the wrath of Allah shall befall this comunity, 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 relates, that I have heard from my father Imam Mohammad al Baqir saying, that when Imam Husain 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 Husain, 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, Sayyed 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 Husain and asked permission to fight, but he did not permit them and prefered Martyrdom with honour over the life of humiliation of this world. Salutations be upon him.

# Praise of the battle of the companions of Imam Husain and their Martyrdom (May Allah be pleased with them)

Abul Hasan Sa’eed bin Hibatullah, renowned as Qutbuddin Rawandi, relates through his chain of authorities from Imam Mohammad al-Baqir, that before his martyrdom, Imam Husain told his companions that his grandfather the Holy Prophet had told him,

“O my dear son! You shall be killed at Iraq, and it is a place where the Prophets, their suc­cessors and Apostles have met one another and it is called Amoora. You shall be martyred at that place alongwith 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.

Abu Hamza Sumali, relates from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen 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 compan­ions unanimously said, “By Allah O our Master! O Aba Abdillah! We shall never betray you, so that people may say that we had abadoned 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 to Allah, that He has bestowed grace upon us to assist you, and has offered distinction to us to get martyred alongwith you. Then do we not endear that we should be alongwith you in your elevated station (in Paradise) O son of the Prophet of Allah”? Imam replied,

“May Allah reward you favourably”

then he prayed for them. When it dawned, all of them were martyred.

Shaikh Sadooq 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 Mohammad 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 passed by us, we asked him as to was he the one referred to (regard­ing it in their books), and he replied in the negative, and then when Imam Husain 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 that, “Please relate to us the state and the self sacrifice of the companions of Imam Husain.” 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 their places in Paradise.”

This has been referred to in Ziyarate 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 Mohammad at Taqi, who relates from his Blessed Ancestors reaching Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen, who says that: When the matter of Imam Husain turned severe, his fellow-travellers saw him in a different state, unlike others. For as much as the severity increased, the colour of their faces became pale and they would shiver, while their hearts would be frightful. But Imam Husain, and some of his distin­guished companions were cheerful, at peace and tranquilled. They were telling one another, “Do you not see, they do not fear death the least.”

Imam Husain 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, who relates from the Holy Prophet that he said, that this world is a prison for the believers and Paradise for the disbelievers, while death is a bridge for them (believers) to enter Para­dise 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.” [1]

Similar was the case with the army of Umar bin Sa’ad. Then the repeated speeches of our Master Imam Husain and his companions, councelling them, completing their proofs (to councel them) and eliminating their error, but they were not benefitted.

Al-Hurr bin Yazeed joins Imam Husain
When Al-Hurr saw that the people have resolved to kill Imam Husain, 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 Al-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 cuting off the hands.” Al-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.” Al-Hurr then left him and stood alone far away from others, while his fellow-traveller, named Qurrah bin Qays, was alongwith him. Al-Hurr said, “O Qurrah! Have you fed your horse today”? He replied in the negative. Al-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 Al-Hurr moved away from there. Qurrah says that, “By Allah!
If only Al-Hurr had revealed to me what he intended, I too would have accompanied him to the presence of Imam Husain.” Then slowly Al-Hurr started moving closer to Imam Husain.

Muhajir bin Aws told him, “O son of Yazeed! What do you intend? Do you intend to lay siege”? Al-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 ques­tioned as to who is the most valorous among the Kufans, I would not hesi­tate to take your name. What is this state I presently see you in”? Al-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 Al-Hurr struck his horse (Malhoof) and turned to go towards Imam Husain

Al-Hurr had kept his hands on his head (like a prisoner) 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 Husain and his companions, he overturned his shield and saluted them. Then he went to Imam Husain 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 apologise to Allah regarding that what I have done, then do you think that my repentance would be accepted”? Imam Husain replied,

“May Allah accept your repentance! Thus alight from your horse.”

Al-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 Husain and said, “O Kufans! May your mothers be deprived of you! You invited the righteous slave of Allah, then when he came to you, you handed him over to the enemy, when you had intent­ed 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, alongwith his women-folk, his children and family, from the waters of Euphratus, 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 Mohammad 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 Al-Hurr came and stood in front of Imam Husain



It is quoted in Tazkirah of Sibt ibne Jawzi, that Imam Husain then called out to Shabas bin Rab’ee, Hajjar bin Abjar, Qays bin al-Aash’as and Yazeed bin Al-Harth and said,

“Did you not write letters to me”?

They replied, “We do not know what you say.” Al-Hurr bin Yazeed, who was their leader, said, “Yes by Allah! We had written to you and we are the ones who 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 Husain. Imam said,

“Welcome! You are at liberty in this world as well as the Hereafter.”

(Ibne Nima) It is related that Al-Hurr told Imam Husain 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 Al-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 Husain, and I had not yet intended assist­ing 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.

Mohammad bin Abu Talib says that there was none among the companions of Imam Husain, who was not wounded by it. It is said that after the rain of arrows, only a few companions of Imam survived, while fifty companions attained martyrdom.

(Tabari) Azdi says that Abu Janab, from the clan of Bani Kalb, related to me 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 Umme Wahab, the daughter of Abd. He saw an army parading in Nukhaylah preparing for the battle against Imam Husain, the grandson of the Prophet of Allah. 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


235 have decided is right. May your Allah guide you towards righteousness in all your matters, go and take me too alongwith you.” He then withdrew and reached Imam Husain 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 Habeeb bin Muzhaahir and Burayr (bin Khuzayr) stood up to reply, but Imam Husain signalled them to sit down. Then 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 recognise you. Zuhayr bin Qayn, Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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 stricking him with his sword killed him. When he was engaged in stricking 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 Umme Wahab! I am answerable to you in respect of the sword and spear of a man who believes in Allah.”

His wife Umme 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 Mohammad.” 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 alongwith you.” Imam Husain 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.


236
(Irshad, Tabari, Kamil) Then Amr bin Hajjaj, with his army, attacked the right wing of the companions of Imam Husain. 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 Husain 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 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 run­ning 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 alongwith the army, who had advanced towards Imam Husain. I requested to be in the forefront so as to get the head of Imam and thus earn honour in the pres­ence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. When we reached him, a person from amongst us named Ibne Hawzah advanced further and said, “Is Husain amongst you”? But Imam did not answer him. When he repeated it thrice, Imam said,

“Yes, here is Husain, what do you desire”?

He said, “O Husain! 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 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).”


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Hearing this Ibne 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 seperated, 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 alongwith you in Bani Lawzan, you told 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 Amr Azdi advanced to assist him, when I said, “This is Burayr bin Khuzayr, the recitor 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


238 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 fa­voured 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, his wife, and his sister, Nawar binte Jabir told him, “You have sided with the opponents of the son of Fatemah, and have killed the chief of the Qur’an Recitors? 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 informed regarding the morning of Imam Husain, 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 honour, then they bore
pa­tiently 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 favoured 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 Husain, and he was saying: “The batallion of Ansar knows that I am a pro­tector 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 Husain.”

Here Imam Husain 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.” (as related in Section 15 of this book).

Sayyed ibne 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


239 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 salu­tations to the Prophet of Allah 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 Husain! O liar and the son of a liar”! (Allah’s refuge) “You have misguid­ed my brother and deceived him until 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 at­tacked him with a spear and threw him upon the ground, his companions came to his resque 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 Al-Hurr bin Yazeed went and united with Imam Husain, a man from Bani Tameem, named Yazeed bin Sufyan said, “By Allah! If my sight falls upon Al-Hurr, I shall kill him with my spear.” When the two armies were attacking and killing one another, Al-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 Al-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 of the police force of Ibne Ziyad, who had despatched 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 Al-Hurr bin Yazeed, whom you desire.” He then advanced towards Al-Hurr and said, “O Al-Hurr bin Yazeed! Do you desire combat”? Al-Hurr replied in the affirmative and he


240 came towards him. Haseen said that, “By Allah! It is as if his life was in the hands of Al-Hurr, who instantly killed him.”

Hisham bin Mohammad relates from Abu Makhnaf, who says that Yahya bin Hani bin Urwah told me, that on the tenth (of Moharram), 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 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 Husain 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 Husain 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 Husain, alongwith 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 Husain to attain martyrdom. Then Amr bin Hajjaj and his companions returned.

(Manaqib) It should be noted that Muslim bin Awsaja was the agent of Muslim bin Aqeel in Kufa. He was given the charge to collect the funds, buy ammunitions and accept allegiance (on behalf of Imam Husain).

Muslim fought valiantly in the battle of Karbala, while reciting the follow­ing Rajaz: “If you inquire about 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).”


241
He fought abundantly with the enemies and forebore 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 Husain 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 fulfil­ment), and they have changed not in the least” [1]

Then Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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 tid­ings of Paradise.” Then Muslim replied in a soft voice, “May your Allah give you glad tidings of fairness too.” Habeeb 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 fulfil the rights of your relatives and your co-religionists.” Muslim replied, “I recommend this Master for you”, he said pointing towards Imam Husain, “then you should ransom your life over him.” Habeeb 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 seperating from your ownselves for the sake of others. Then you are rejoic­ing because you have killed Muslim bin Awsaja? By Him in whom I believe! I have seen him (Muslim) in the battlefield with honour 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 murderors of Muslim bin Awsaja were Muslim bin Abdullah Zababi and Abdul Rahman bin Abi Khash­kar 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 killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him) and he was the second Martyr among the companions of Imam.


242
Then the companions of Imam fought valiantly with the Kufan army. Their horse­men, being thirty-two, attacked the Kufan army from all sides and splitted 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 Leapords 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 splitted 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 alongwith these little group of men? Despatch the foot-soldiers and the archers towards them.” Then Umar bin Sa’ad turned towards Shabas bin Raba’ee and said, “Will you attack Husain”? 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 Husain. 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 and after him with his son (Imam Hasan) against the children of Abu Sufyan for five years. Then we pounced upon his son Husain, 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 adultress. Disgrace, and what a disgrace”!

Then Umar bin Sa’ad called for Haseen bin Tameem and despatched him with the foot soldiers and five hundred archers. They proceeded further until they reached Imam Husain 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 Al-Hurr bin Yazeed. I shot an arrow which peirced it’s belly, it gave a cry and rolled up itself (on the ground). Suddenly Al-Hurr


243 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 Al-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 fol­lowed your example, resulting in the collaboration of you all with them in their murder, then all of you are equal partners in their 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 Husain) on the day of Qiyamah after having murdered Husain, 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 and surround them. Three four persons from among the companions of Imam Husain 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 dig­ging or plundering them. Imam Husain said,

“Let them burn the tents, for if they do so, the fire will act as a prevention against them.”

It happened as said, and a group of them fought with them from one side.

(Tabari) The wife of (Abdullah bin) Umayr Kalbi ran out into the battle­field and sat at the head of her husband (who was already martyred, as has been


244 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 splitted 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 Husain and stricking it with his lance said, “Bring me fire, so that I may burn it alongwith what it contains.” Hearing this, the womenfolk started shrieking and came out of the tents in panic. Then Imam Husain 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 alongwith 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 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 at­tacked 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 Habeeb bin Muzhaahir
(Tabari) When Abu Samamah Amr bin Abdullah Saedi saw his companions being killed one after the other, he turned towards Imam Husain 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 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,


245 “You have reminded the (time of) Prayers, may Allah join you with the worshippers and the reci­tors, 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.” Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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 Habeeb bin Muzhaahir came to meet his challenge. Habeeb dealt a blow on the front of his head, which sank in and Habeeb threw him down (from his horse). Then his companions came to his rescue and took him away. Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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 Habeeb was saying: “I am Habeeb and my father is Muzhaahir, who is a horseman of the battlefield when it is fierce, you are well-equipped and large in quantity, but we are more obedient, forebearing (than you), our proofs are exalted while truth apparent, and (we are) more pious and peni­tent than you.”

Habeeb bin Muzhaahir 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 murderor 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 along­with 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 Habeeb).” The man refused to do so until his people made him agree. Then he gave the head of Habeeb to Haseen, who hung it in the neck of his horse and started taking the rounds in the ranks, and then returned it back.

The Tamimi man placed the head of Habeeb on his horse and carried it to the palace of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. The son of Habeeb named Qasim, who was


246 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 murderor of his father so as to get him un­awares 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, when he was taking a nap in the afternoon, and striking him with his sword killed him.

Azdi says that when Habeeb bin Muzhaahir was killed, Imam Husain 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 Habeeb! You were a man of distinction, that you completed reciting the entire Qur’an in one (single) night.”

Martyrdom of Al-Hurr bin Yazeed
The narrator says that Al-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 Al-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 Ibne Mu’taz says about him, “I possess a sword which radiates death, then it is not unsheathed, except that it starts spilling the blood.”

Al-Hurr, alongwith 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 foot soldiers attacked Al-Hurr from all sides and killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him)


247 Ubaydullah bin Amr Badi, who was from the clan of Bani Kinda, says that, “Do not forget Sa’eed bin Abdullah nor Al-Hurr, who alongwith Zuhayr aided at the need of the hour.”

Fattal Naishapuri, in his Rawzatul Wa’ezeen, while quoting the Martyrdom of Al-Hurr bin Yazeed says, that when Imam Husain came to the head of Al-Hurr, blood was flowing from him. He said,

“Well done O Al-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 Al-Hurr is the Al-Hurr of Bani Riyah, and the best Al-Hurr during the exchange of spears, the best Al-Hurr who was generous with regard to his life when Husain called out in the morning.”

Shaikh Sadooq too relates similarly from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq.

Shaikh Abu Ali in Muntahal Maqal says that Al-Hurr bin Yazeed bin Najiyah bin Sa’eed is from (the clan of) Bani Yarboo’.

Sayyed 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 Husain in Karbala. He heard some people vilifying Al-Hurr and hence came to the head of his grave and ordered it to be exhumed. People witnessed that Al-Hurr was sleeping in his grave freshly drenched in his blood, and a ker­chief was tied on his forehead. Shah Isma’il tried to unfast the kerchief from his forehead, which according to the historical reports was tied by Imam Husain. 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
ker­chief. Thus the fine status of Al-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 Honourable Traditionist Shaikh Mohammad bin Hasan Al-Hurr Ameli, the author of Wasaelush Shi’ah, was from the progeny of Al-Hurr bin Yazeed ar Riyahi, as has been quoted by Shaikh Ahmed 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 [trouble] in Imam Husain’s lead.


248
(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 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.

Ibne Nima says that some say that Imam Husain and his companions recited the Prayers individually with signs.

Tabari, Ibne Aseer and others state that after finishing the Zuhr Prayers, they attacked fiercely and neared Imam Husain. Then Sa’eed stood armouring 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 alongwith you in the ranks of the martyrs. And may Allah provide us your friendship in the exalted position of the magnificent ones.

We say: Reflect upon these words which prove the exalted status possesed 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.

Ibne Nima too has related the martyrdom of the above referred Sa’eed in the words of Tabari and Ibne 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 Husain 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 Husain with my sword, for he is


249 one of the two grandsons of the Prophet who is a virtuous and chaste Proge­ny, 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 shoulder of Imam Husain 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 Murtaza Ali, and a well-equipped young man with two wings, Ja’far your uncle, and Hamza the alive martyred Lion of Allah.”

(Maqtal of Mohammad 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 Husain 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.”

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 Husain and Ali, I shall be 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 de­sire.” Hearing


250 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 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 Husain perceived their loss and realised that they themselves were incapable of defending the Imam and his rela­tives, they hastened to lay their lives in the presence of Imam Husain. 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 Hurayth and Malik bin Abd, who were cousins and foster brothers, came closer to Imam Husain 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.” Imam replied,

“O sons of my brother! May Allah reward you fairly for this conscience and sym­pathy.”

(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).


251
Martyrdom of Hanzalah bin al-Aas’ad Shabami
(Tabari, Kamil) Then Hanzalah bin al-Aas’ad Shabami came and stood in front of Imam Husain (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 saviour from (the wrath of) Allah, and whomsoever Allah allows to stray, for him shall not be any guide. [1]



O people! Do not kill Husain, 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 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 forebore 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 Bless­ings be upon them).


252
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, until I am martyred." Abis replied, "I had desired the same regarding you. Then proceed further to­wards the Imam so that he may include you among his companions as the other preceeding 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 reach­es Shakir bin Rabi'ah bin Malik. Abis himself was from the above clan, while Shawzib was his retainer, meaning that Shawzib was staying alongwith 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 (Hu­sain) 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 Shi'ahism.

(Tabari) Then Abis bin Abi Shabeeb told Imam Husain 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 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 recognised 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


253 other armour except that of chastity."

And a Persian Poet has said, "He removed his armour 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 armour or helmet, to embrace death nakedly, similar to a bride."

Then he attacked the enemies, (the narrator says that) it 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, knealt down in front of Imam Husain and shot a hundred arrows to­wards 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 Husain 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 Yazeed and my father is Muhajir, I am more valorous than a Lion of the thicket, and I strike the rebels expertly with the spear, O Lord! I am a helper of Husain, and am the one to disassociate and seperate from the son of Sa'ad, and my right hand possesses a clear-cut and destructive sword."

Yazeed bin Muhajir was one of those who had come alongwith Umar bin Sa'ad from Kufa to fight against Imam Husain, 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 Husain
As regards Umar bin Khalid Saydawi, Jabir bin Hurayth 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


254 surrounded them while seperating them from their companions. Seeing this Abbas bin Ali hastened towards them and rescued them from their clunches. 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).

Martyrdom of Suwayd bin Amr bin Abi Muta'
Azdi says that Zuhayr bin Abdul Rahman Khas'ami narrated to me that the last person (among the companions) to remain with Imam Husain was Suwayd bin Amr bin Abi Muta'. He fought with the enemies, until he was totally wounded and fell unconscious upon the ground among the martyrs. When he regained consciouness, he heard that Imam Husain was mar­tyred and he arose in fright. They had taken away his sword, but he had a dagger with him and he lifted it up. He fought with them for sometime until he was martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him). His murder­ors were Urwah bin Bata' Tughlabi and Zayd bin Raqqad, while he was the last martyr (in the battle of Karbala).

Sayyed ibne Tawoos, while praising him says, that he was a nobleman and recited Prayers abundantly. Then he fought like a ferocious lion and re­mained firm until he fell down (unconscious) among the martyrs.

I, (the author) say that there is difference of opinion in the narration of the Shi'ah and Sunni historians, traditionists and the authors of Maqtal, regarding the sequence of the martyrdom of the companions of Imam Husain, their total number, and their Rajaz. Some of them have discussed the former ones in the end and the latter ones in the beginning. Some have mentioned their names and Rajaz only, while still others have mentioned regarding the martyrdom of some and left some.

Till here I have relied upon the reports of the ancient reliable histor­ians, thus a group of the martyrs have been left out, whose martyrdom have yet to be discussed. Henceforth I discuss their martyrdom on the sequence given by Shaikh Mohammad bin Ali bin Shahr Ashob, as quoted in his book Manaqib.

According to this sequence, first Al-Hurr entered the battlefield followed by Burayr bin Khuzayr, while their martyrdoms have already been discussed. Then Wahab bin Abdullah bin Habbab Kalbi came out into the battlefield. His mother too was accompanying him on that day, who told him, "Arise O son! And defend the grandson of the Prophet of Allah." Wahab replied, "Verily I shall not act miserly." Thus he came out into the battlefield while saying: "If you do not know me, I am from Bani Kalb, very soon you will see me and my sword, and will behold my attack and influence in bat­tle, I will


255 seek my revenge after the revenge of my companions, and I will ward off grief and affliction before my grief, to fight me in the battle­field is not a joke."

He attacked the Kufan army and killed a group among them one after the other. Then he returned to his mother and wife and stood facing them and said, "O mother! Are you pleased now"? She replied, "I shall not be pleased until you attain martyrdom in the presence of Imam Husain." Then his wife said, "I request you in the name of Allah not to bereave me." Hearing this his mother said, "O dear son! Do not accept what she says, go and fight in the way of the grandson of the Prophet, so that he may inter­cede for you on the day of Qiyamah." Wahab returned saying: "I swear to you O Umme Wahab, to strike them with spears and sword, similar to the swordsmanship of a youth who believes in the Almighty, so as to give a taste of the bitter battle to this nation, I am valorous and a youth possessing a clear-cut sword, I am not fearful during battle, Allah, the Wise, is sufficient for me."

Then he lay siege until he had killed nineteen horsemen and twelve foot-soldiers. Both his hands were severed, seeing this his mother lifted a peg of the tent and ran towards him saying, "May my parents be your ransom! Strive in the way of the Household of the Prophet of Allah." Wahab proceed­ed further so as to return her back to the tents, when she caught hold of his shirt and said, "I shall not return back until I am killed alongwith you." When Imam Husain saw this he said,

"May Allah reward you favourably due to the right of my family! Return back to the ladies, may Allah have mercy upon you."

Hearing this the woman returned and Wahab fought until he was martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

The wife of Wahab came and sat at his head and started wiping the blood from the face of her husband. When Shimr saw her, he commanded his retainer to strike her with his club. He did so and she was the first woman to attain martyrdom in the ranks of Imam Husain (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon her).

It is stated in Rawzatul Wa'ezeen and Amali of Shakh Sadooq, that formerly Wahab bin Wahab and his mother were christians, and they had accepted Islam at the hands of Imam Husain. They accompanied the Imam to Karbala, and on the day of Ashooraa Wahab mounted his horse, while a peg of the tent was in his hands. He fought until he had killed seven or eight men among the enemies. Then he was arrested and taken to Umar bin Sa'ad, who ordered him to be beheaded.

Allamah Majlisi says, that he saw in a narration that Wahab was formerly a Christian, then he alongwith his mother accepted Islam at the hands of Imam


256 Husain. When he entered the battlefield, he put to sword twenty-four footsoldiers and twelve horsemen. Then he was arrested and brought to Umar bin Sa'ad who told him, "What a marvelous valour you posess." Then he ordered him to be beheaded. He was beheaded and his head was thrown towards the tents of Imam Husain. His mother lifted his head up and kissed it, then she threw it towards the army of Umar bin Sa'ad, which hit a man and killed him. Then she lifted up a peg of the tents and killed two others until Imam Husain saw her and said,

"O mother of Wahab! Return back. You and your son will be alongwith the Prophet of Allah, while Jehad is lifted off from the women."

Hearing this she returned saying, "O Lord! Do not disappoint me." Imam told her,

"May your Lord not disappoint you, O mother of Wahab"!

Then Amr bin Khalid Azdi Saydawi came out into the battlefield and told Imam Husain, "O Aba Abdillah! I desire to be united with your companions, and I dislike to see you lonely and martyred." Imam replied,

"Go forth, and very soon we too shall join you."

He advanced further saying: "O self! Proceed towards the Beneficent Lord, with glad tidings of spirit­uality and sweet basil, today you shall receive favour for the virtues which you had performed, which is written down upon the Tablet near the Re­warder Lord, do not fear nor be frightful, for every living thing will face destruction, while patience has a more part in your peace, O group of Azd from Bani Qahtan." Then he fought and was martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

It is narrated in Manaqib that then his son Khalid followed him saying: "Have patience upon the death of Bani Qahtan, so as to acquire pleasure of the Beneficent Lord of Grandeur, Glory and Demonstration, and of Eminence, Longevity and Benevolence, O dear father! You have reached Paradise in the palace of the best of pearls." He advanced further and fought until he too was martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).


257
After him Sa'ad bin Hanzalah Tamimi, who was from the noblemen in the army of Imam Husain, stepped into the battlefield saying: "Have patience upon the swords and spears, have patience upon it to enter Paradise, and reach the Hoor al Ein of delicasy, (like) the one who wishes victory and success, and it is not only doubt or guess, O self! Strive for tranquilli­ty and try to acquire righteousness."

He lay siege and attacked severely and was ultimately martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Then Umayr bin Abdullah Mazhaji came out reciting the following Rajaz: "The Bani Sa'ad and Mazhaj know, that during battle I am a ferocious Lion, I strike my sword upon the head of a well-equipped man, and throw the warrior upon the ground, and make him a morsel for the Wolf and a lame Hyena." He continued fighting until Muslim Zababi and Abdullah Bajali killed him. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Muslim bin Awsaja followed him, whose martyrdom has already been discussed.

Then Abdul Rahman Yaznee stepped into the battlefield saying: "I am the son of Abdullah from the progeny of Yazn, I am on the Religion of Husain and Hasan, I strike you with the sword of a Yemeni youth, through which I desire the Audience of the Giver of Refuge." And then attained martyrdom (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

After him Yahya bin Saleem Mazani came out reciting the following Rajaz: "I will strike the army with a decisive sword, a swift sword which hastens towards the enemies, I am not inefficient nor frightful, and nor do I fear the approaching death." And he too met with the same fate (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Qurrah bin Abi Qurrah Ghifari followed him reciting the following Rajaz: "The entire progeny of Ghifar rightly knows, as also the Bani Khandaf after the progeny of Nizar, that undoubtedly I am a Lion in the heat of the battle, and I pound and strike at the group of the adulterors with the sword, in defence of the Progeny of the Righteous." He put to sword sixty-eight men, and was killed (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Then Malik bin Anas Kahili stepped into the battlefield saying, "The child­ren of Ali are adherents of Allah, while the children of Umayyah are adher­ents of shaitan." Then he killed fourteen men, while some say that he killed eighteen and was martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

I (the author) strongly perceive, that Malik bin Anas Kahili, referred to above, is none other than Anas bin Hurayth Kahili, the companion (of Prophet Mohammad [s.a.w.s.]). Ibne Aseer Jazari in Asadul Ghabah says that Anas bin Malik was one of the natives of Kufa. Ash'as bin Saleem relates from his father, who says that the Holy Prophet once said,

"This son of mine (referring to Imam Husain) would be killed at a place in Iraq, then whoever remains at that moment should assist him."

Thus he was martyred alongwith Imam Husain.

Shaikh Ibne Nima in his Museerul Ehzan says that then Anas bin Hurayth Kahili came into the battlefield saying: "Our clan of Kahil alongwith Dawdan knows, as also Khandaf and Qays Aylan, that my nation is in trouble, O


258 nation! Turn into a ferocious Lion, and welcome the nation with a swift sword, the Progeny of Ali are the followers of the Beneficent (Lord), while the progeny of Harb, the followers of shaitan."

I (the author) say that he is referred to as Kahili because of his ancestor Kahil. In the related Ziyarate Nahiyah, it is stated thus: "Peace be upon Anas bin al Kahili as Asadi."

Then Amr bin Muta' Jo'fi stepped out saying: "Today the striking of the sword is a pleasure for us, for the sake of Husain the violent attack, by this means we desire success and refuge against the fire of hell, when there will be no expectation of refuge." And he was killed (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

He was followed by Jaun bin Malik, the freed retainer of Abu Zarr Ghifari. (Malhoof) He (Jaun) was a black retainer. Imam Husain told him,

"I give you permission to leave, for you were in our midst in our times of happiness, then do not imprison yourself in our way."

Jaun replied, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! I have been feeding at your place during the days of happiness (and security), then how can I desert you in hardship? By Allah! The smell of my sweat is dirty, my lineage low, while my colour is dark. Then permit me Paradise, so that my smell may turn into a pleasant fragrance, my lineage noble and my face may be illuminated. By Allah! No, I shall not desert you until this black blood of mine mixes with your pure blood." Then he came out into the battlefield saying: "How do the polytheists find the striking of a black sword, in defence of the children of Mohammad? I will defend them with my words and my hands, while I desire Paradise on the day of Qiyamah through this." Then he was martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

(Malhoof) He (Jaun) killed twenty-five men and was martyred. Imam Husain came and stood near his head and said,

"O Allah! Illuminate his face, fragrant his smell, include him among the devout ones and make him known near Your Mohammad."

Imam Mohammad al Baqir relates that when people came to the plain of Karbala to bury the martyrs, they found the corpse of Jaun after ten days from which fragrance of Musk was emanating.

Then Anees bin Ma'qal Asbahi came out reciting: "I am Anees the son of Ma'qal, and my right hand possesses a clear-cut sword, which I raise upon the heads in the heat of the battle, in defence of Husain the honourable, endowed with distinction, the son of the Prophet of Allah, who is the best of all Prophets." He killed above twenty men and attained martyrdom (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).


259
He was followed by Yazeed bin Muhajir (Abul Sha'sa Kindi), whose martyrdom we have already discussed.

Then Hajjaj bin Masrooq Jo'fi, the Muezzin (Prayer caller) of Imam Husain, stepped into the battlefield saying: "Proceed forward O Husain, who are a guide and a guided one! Today you shall meet your Grandfather the Prophet, and your Father Ali, the possesor of munificence, whom we recognise through the Revelation." He put to sword twenty-five men and was killed (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Then Sa'eed bin Abdullah Hanafi, Habeeb bin Muzhaahir Asadi, Zuhayr bin Qayn Bajali and Nafe' bin Hilal Jamali attained martyrdom (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon them). (Their martyrdom have already been discussed).

Janadah bin Hurayth Ansari followed them while reciting: "I am Janad and am the son of Hurayth, I am neither fearful nor impotent, until my heirs inherit from me, today my body will lay upon the earth." And then he was martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Then his son Amr bin Janadah came out saying: "Strangle the neck of the son of Hind, and throw towards them this year the horsemen of Muhajereen and Ansar, who had dyed their spears in the heat of the battle against the polytheists during the days of Prophet Mohammad, and today they will be dyed with the blood of the adulterors, today they will be dyed with the blood of the base men, who have forsaken the Qur'an in defence of evil, they have come to avenge the blood of (the battle of) Badr, for which they have brough clear-cut swords and spears, I swear by my Lord, I will keep striking the mischivous people with my swift and clear-cut sword, it is rightly incumbent upon Azdi that daily he should meet the enemy, and throw him down and attack while proceeding further." Then he fought and was killed (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Therafter a youth, whose father had already been killed, came out into the battlefield. His mother told him, "O dear son! Step out and fight in the presence of the grandson of the Prophet of Allah." When the youth stepped out, Imam saw him and said,

"The father of this youth has been killed, perhaps his mother would not like him to come out into the battle."

The youth replied, "Rather my mother has ordered me to do so." Then he stepped into the battlefield reciting the following: "My Master is Husain and what a Best Master, who is the delight of the heart of the conveyor of good deeds and a warner Prophet, Ali is his father and Fatemah his mother, do you know anyone who is his co-equal? His countenance is like


260 a shining star, and his forehead like a full moon bright."

When he was martyred (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him), his head was thrown towards the tents of Imam Husain. His mother lifted up his head and said, "Well done my dear son! O contentment of my heart! O coolness of my eyes"! Saying this she threw away his head towards a man who was killed by it. Then she lifted a peg of the tent and attacked them while saying: "I am a feeble and old maid of my master, whose (my) house is empty and who has turned frail and weak, but I will strike at you vio­lently, in defence of the children of the Noble Fatemah." She killed two men by it, seeing this Imam called her back and prayed for her.

I (the author) strongly perceive that the youth was none other than the son of Muslim bin Awsaja Asadi. For the report as stated in Rawzatul Ehbab and Rawzatush Shohada, in context of the martyrdom of the son of Muslim bin Awsaja after the martyrdom of his father, is quite similar to this. (Allah knows best).

Then a Turkish retainer of Imam Husain, who was a memoriser (Hafiz) of the Qur'an, stepped out while reciting the following Rajaz: "The ocean will set on fire due to my striking with the sword and spear, and the atmostphere will become full of my shooting arrows, when the sword comes into my right hand, the heart of the envious bursts."

He killed numerous men, and some say that he killed seventy men and then fell down from his horse. Imam Husain came to him and wept and placed his cheek upon that of his retainer. He opened his eyes and saw the face of Imam and smiled and left for the heavenly abode (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

He was followed by Malik bin Dawdan, who came out saying: "This stroke towards you is from Malik who is a ferocious Lion, the stroke of the one who defends the liberal and honourable people, and who desires reward from Allah, the Possesor of favour." And then attained martyrdom (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Then Abu Samamah Saedi followed him while saying: "Condolence for the Progeny of Mustafa and his daughters, due to the seige by the enemies of the son of Mohammad, the best of humans, condolence for Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet and for her husband, who is a treasure of knowledge after the Prophet, condolence for the dwellers of the East and the West, and wail for the army of Husain, the good doer, then who is there to reach my message to the Prophet and his daughter, that your son is fallen in trouble." Then he fell a martyr. (May Allah's Mercy and Bless­ings be upon him).


261
He was followed by Ibraheem bin Haseen Asadi, who was saying: "I will strike at your joints and calves with the sword, so that this nation spills my blood, and Abu Ishaq may attain martyrdom, by the nation I mean the mischivous sons of adulteress women." Then he was killed (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Then Amr bin Qartah followed, whose martyrdom we have already mentioned.

He was followed by Ahmed bin Mohammad Hashmi, who was reciting: "Today I shall test my ancestry and my Religion, through my clear-cut sword which is in my right hand, and I shall defend my Religion in battle with it." And was ultimately killed (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

It is quoted in Manaqib, that the group of companions of Imam Husain who fell martyr in the first raid were:

(1) Na'eem bin Ajalan, (2) Imran bin Ka'ab bin Hurayth Ashja'ee, (3) Hanzalah bin Amr Shaybani, (4) Qasit bin Zuhayr, (5) Kinanah bin Ateeq, (6) Amr bin Mashee'ah, (7) Zarghamah bin Malik, (8) Amir bin Muslim, (9) Sayf bin Malik Namiri, (10) Abdul Rahman Arhabi, (11) Mujme' A'ezi, (12) Habbab bin Hurayth, (13) Amr Janda'ee, (14) Jallas bin Amr Rasebee, (15) Sawar bin Abi Umayr Fahmi, (16) Ammar bin Abi Salamah Walani, (17) Mas'ood bin Hajjaj, (18) Abdullah bin Urwa Ghifari, (19) Zuhayr bin Basheer Khas'ami, (20) Ammar bin Hissan, (21) Abdullah bin Umayr, (22) Muslim bin Kaseer, (23) Zuhayr bin Saleem, (24) & (25) Abdullah and Ubaydullah sons of Zayd Basari, (26) Umroh, the retainer of Imam Husain, (27) & (28) two freed retainers of Imam Ali, (29) Zahir Amr, the Retainer of Ibne Humaq. (May Allah's Mercy and Bless­ings be upon them).

In my (the author's) opinion, the name of the (above referred) last person is quoted wrongly, while the correct one is Zahir, the Retainer of Amr bin Humaq. Thus in the Ziyarate Nahiyah, referring to the martyrs, and the related Ziyarate Rajabiyah (as quoted in Misbahuz Zaer), it is quoted: "Peace be upon Zahir, the Retainer of Amr bin Humaq Khuza'i." Thus it is correct that the one referred to is the same.

The proficient Erudite Qazi Mo'man Misri says that Amr bin Humaq was among the Emigrant companions (Muhajereen) of the Holy Prophet and the Tabe'een for whom Paradise was proclaimed by the Prophet, and who remained (faithful) with Imam Ali. Amr remained alive after the death of Imam Ali. Once when Mu'awiyah pursued him, he fled away to an island, alongwith him was another companion of Imam Ali named Zahir. Both of them dismounted at a valley and a snake bit Amr at mid­night. When it dawned, a tumour appeared and Amr told Zahir, "Move away from me, for I have heard my friend the Holy Prophet saying that the genies and


262 men will be involved in my murder, and very soon I will be killed." They were talking when suddenly they saw the necks of horses, who were in pursuit of Amr. Amr told Zahir, "O Zahir! Hide yourself, and then when they have killed me and taken away my head and left my body, you may bury me." Zahir said, "No I shall not do so, but I will fight them with my arrows and when they are exhausted, I too will be killed alongwith you." Amr replied, "Do what I tell you to do. Allah will give you success in that." Thus Zahir hid himself and the people came and killed him. Then they beheaded Amr and took his head alongwith them, this being the first head in Islam, which was raised on a lance. When they returned, Zahir came out of his hiding and buried Amr, after that he remained alive until he was martyred alongwith Imam Husain in Karbala.

Thus it is proved through this narration that Zahir was from among the distinguished companions of Imam Ali. He was equal in rank to Amr bin Humaq Khuza'i, the companion of the Prophet of Allah and the disciple of Imam Ali. He was a virtuous slave (of Allah), whom excessive worship had made old, body feeble and his colour pale. He had the good fortune of burying Amr, his felicity was favoured until he made assisting Imam Husain his sustenance, and attained martyrdom.

And among the progeny of Zahir is Abu Ja'far Zahir bin Mohammad bin Sinan, who was from among the companions of Imam Moosa al Kazim, Imam Ali ar Reza and Imam Mohammad al Jawad.

Furthermore it should be noted that the historians have quoted the names of some persons, who were present on the tenth of Moharram to assist Imam Husain, but they saved themselves and fled away.

(1) A retainer of Abdul Rahman bin Abd Rabbah Ansari. And as has been stated earlier that he said that, "When I saw the companions of Imam Husain falling down I fled away (in fright) leaving them behind."

(2) Marqa' bin Tamamah Asadi. Tabari and Ibne Aseer say that he had spread his quiver of arrows upon the ground while kneeling down, and was fighting until a group of people from his relatives came to him and offered him protection and told him to return back to them. He returned with them, and Umar bin Sa'ad took him to the presence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad and related to him regarding him. Ubaydullah banished him to Zarah. Firozabadi says that Zarah is a reed-bed and the name of an area in Misr and Tarabuloos, and is also a (name of the) mountain in


263 Bahrayn, which has a water spring.

(3) Uqbah bin Sam'an. Tabari and Ibne Aseer say that Umar bin Sa'ad arrest­ed him and he was a servant of Rabab, the wife of Imam Husain and daughter of Imru al Qays Kalbi and mother of Sakinah. When Umar inquired from him as to what position he held, he replied that he was a retainer and did not have authority, thus Umar released him.

(4) Zahhak bin Abdullah Mashriqi. We deem appropriate to relate about him. Loot bin Yahya Azdi says, that Abdullah bin al-Aasim Hamadani has related to him that Zahhak bin Abdullah Mashriqi told him that: I alongwith Malik bin Nazr Arhabi came to the presence of Imam Husain. We saluted him and sat near him. Imam replied our salutations, then after welcoming us in­quired as to why we came there. We replied, "We have come here to offer salutations to you and pray regarding your well-being, besides renewing our sight of you. Besides we have come to inform you that the people of Kufa have united to fight you, thus you may take your decision." Imam replied, "Allah is sufficient and the best Judge for me." We related to him the vice of the people, then we made a farewell salute and prayed for his well-being, while asking his permission to leave. Imam said, "Why do you not assist me"? Malik bin Nazr replied that, "I am under debt and have child­ren",
while I said that, "I am indebted too even while having no children, then if you promise to excuse me at the time when my defending you would not be beneficial to you, I shall remain with you." Imam replied that,

"In that case you are free to do so",

Thus I remained behind with him.

Thus Zahhak bin Abdullah remained alongwith Imam Husain till the day of Ashooraa, and he has related reports from him regarding the day and night of Ashooraa. He further says that: When I saw that all the compan­ions of the Imam have been martyred, while the enemies had laid their hands upon him and his family, and no one, except Suwayd bin Amr Khas'ami and Basheer bin Amr Hazramee was there. I came upto him and said, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! Do you remember what pact was made between us, and I had promised that until the fighters remain with you I shall fight along­with them, if not I shall be free. And you had agreed to it." Imam replied,

"You have spoken the truth, but then how will you save yourself? Then if you can do so, you are at liberty."

At the time when the horses of the companions were being wounded, while arrows were being shot, I secretly hid my horse in one of the tents of the companions, and I defended on foot. Then I killed two persons in front of


264 Imam and severed the hand of another. That day Imam told me several times,

"Do not severe the hands of anyone, may Allah not amputate your hands! May Allah reward you due to the Proge­ny of your Prophet."

Then when he gave me the permission, I went and brought my horse from the tent and sat on it. Then I spurned it until it stood on its feet and I rushed from the midst of the army. They gave me the way until I galloped away, while fifteen horsemen started pursuing me, until I reached the village of Shafiyah near the bank of Euphratus. They came near me and when I turned around, Kaseer bin Abdullah Sha'abi, Ayyub bin Mushreh Haywani and Qays bin Abdullah Saedi recognised me. They said, "This is Zahhak bin Abdullah Mashriqi, our cousin. We request you in the name of Allah to lift your hands off him." Hearing this three men from among the Bani Tameem sided with them and others too followed suit, thus Allah saved me.

Abdullah bin Abbas rightly said, while being reprimanded for not siding with Imam Husain (in Karbala), "Not a single person from among the companions (to be martyred in Karbala) could be deleted nor added. We knew them by their names even before meeting them."

Mohammad bin Hanafiyah said, "Their [the companions of Imam Husain (in Karbala)] names alongwith the names of their fathers was written with us. May my parents be their ransom, I wish I would have been alongwith them, I too would have reached the great achievement."

The noble and trustworthy Shaikh Mohammad bin Hasan Saffar Qummi, who died in Qum in the year 290 A.H., relates in his book Basaerud Darajat from Huzayfa Ghifari, that when Imam Hasan entered into a peace treaty with Mu'awiyah and returned to Madina, I was alongwith him. A Camel laden with load was alongwith him everytime and Imam never let it go away from his sight. One day I inquired of him, "May I be your ransom O Aba Mohammad! What is this load which is never seperated from you"? Imam replied,

"O Huzayfa! Do you not know what it contains"?

I replied in the negative. Imam Hasan replied,

"This is a register."

I asked him as to what register was it. He replied,

"It is a register containing the names of our Shi'ah."

I asked, "Please show me my name in it." Imam told me to come the next morning. I went in the morning accompanied by my nephew, who knew to read, while I did not know to do so. Imam asked me as to why I had come early in the morning? I replied that I had come to see that what he had promised me. Imam Hasan asked,


265 "Who is this youth alongwith you"?

I said that he was my nephew and knew how to read, while I did not know. He signalled us to sit down. Imam ordered that the centre register be brought. The register was brought and when my nephew opened it to see, the letters therein shone. Then while reading, he suddenly said, "O uncle! Here is my name." I said, "May your mother mourn you! Read my name." After scrutiny he showed me my name and we were overjoyed, and this youth was martyred alongwith Imam Husain in Karbala.

Receding to the account of the condition of the companions of Imam Husain
The books of martyrdom state, that the companions of Imam Husain started coming to him one after the other and saying, "Peace be upon you O son of the Prophet of Allah"! Imam would reply to their salutations and would say,

"Very soon we too shall follow you."

Then he recited the follow­ing verse of the Qur'an;

"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 fulfilment), and they have changed not in the least." [1]

"The cup of death rotates above them, and thay have closed their eyes against the world, similar to an inebriate, their bodies have reached death upon the earth in his love, and they souls have ascended in the curtains upon the high heavens, then they have not occupied a place except near their friend, but they have not ascended due to anxiety."

Sayyed ibne Tawoos says that the companions of Imam Husain competed with one another to sacrifice themselves for him. They were such as has been said regarding them: "They are group who are called to defend at times of anxiety, and some of the soldiers are occupied in striking with the spears and some to gather the valorous, they have worn their hearts upon their armours, as if they preceded one another in sacrificing their lives."

Shaikh Ibne Nima says regarding their valour, self-sacrifice and their defence (of the son of the Prophet of Allah): "When they lift up their wheatish coloured lances and resolve firmly, then the Lions of the thicket flee away in fright, to the name of the mill-stone of the ferocious battle are warrior weapons, when they lay seige their adversaries are in a loss, when they dig their legs in the battlefield, then their promised place is the day of Qiyamah."

Ibne Abil Hadeed in his Sharhe Nahjul Balagha says, that a person who was among the army of Umar bin Sa'ad in Karbala was asked, "Woe be to you! You have murdered the progeny of the Prophet of Allah"? To which he replied, "Put stones in between your teeth (keep quite)! If you had seen (that day) what we saw, you too would have done what we did. Valorous persons equipped with swords, who were similar to the male Lions, attacked us. They would fling the valourous on the left and right and would fall upon death. They would not accept protection, nor be allured by wealth. There was nothing for them except acquiring dominion or death. If we had held back our hands from them even for a short time, they would have annihilated our entire army. What would we have done at that moment"?

Shaikh Abu Amr Kashshi says that Habeeb was one of those seventy men, who had assisted Imam Husain. They were forwarding their chests in front of the lances and their faces (in front) of the edge of the swords. They were offered protection and abundant wealth, but they refused to accept the same saying, "We do not have any excuse to offer the Holy Prophet that we remained alive while Imam Husain was killed, until we all are killed."

I (the Author) say that, "The companions of our Master Imam Husain hold a great right upon all the Muslims. It is appropriate that here we quote a short couplet from their praises thus fulfilling an insignificant part of their rights, for they were similar to what has been said by their eulogisers. [Here the author quotes two couplets, which I forego].

Combat of the member’s of Imam Husain’s Household (Ahlulbayt) and their Martyrdom (May Allah be pleased with them)
Martyrdom of Abul Hasan Ali bin Husain al Akbar
When the companions of Imam Husain were martyred and none remained with him except his family consisting of the children of Imam Ali, Ja’far bin Abi Talib, Aqeel bin Abi Talib, and Imam Hasan, they gathered and bade farewell to one another and resolved to fight. They were similar to what has been said regarding them, “They are a group, who, when they step into the heat of the battle, you mistaken them to be sun while their faces moon, they never refrain from being compassionate at any cost whether the world deals fairly with them or oppresses them, then when a pleader calls out for help at times of trouble, they put forward themselves and are prepared to part with their lives”.

Others say, “The ones with illuminated countenance whose lineage is noble, (they are) dignified men belonging to the highest rank, when the guest arrive suddenly upon them, their dogs do not bark at them, nor do they question regarding the ensuing darkness”.

And Ka’ab bin Malik says, “They are a group from the Bani Hashim on whose foundation stands a mighty wall, and it is such an authority that cannot be transferred, they are a group due to whom Allah is merciful towards His creation, and by means of whose grandfather (Imam Ali) the Prophet was rendered assistance, ones with illuminated countenance, whom when one beholds, shall find generosity flowing from their hands when the prevaricate world seeks excuses from it”.

The eminent Shaikh Ali bin Isa Irbili in Kashful Ghummah relates from the book Itratut Taherah from Awam bin Hawshab, that he said, it is related to me


268 that the Prophet of Allah once glanced at a group of the Quraishite youth, whose faces were illuminated similar to the swords, until grief became visible upon his face. It was told to him, “O Prophet of Allah! What has happened to you?” He replied, “We are a family for whom Allah has preferred the hereafter above this world. I just recalled as to how my family will have to face slaughter and expulsion at the hands of my nation”.

Here the author quotes a sizeable eulogy of Sayyed Haydar Hilli, which we omit.

(Irshad) Ali Akbar, whose mother was Layla, the daughter of Abi Murrah bin Urwah bin Mas’ood Saqafi, stepped into the battlefield.

Regarding Urwah bin Mas’ood, the maternal (great) grandfather of Ali Akbar
Urwah bin Mas’ood was one of the four noblemen of the Islamic world and one of the two chiefs who has been quoted by the Qur’an, among the infidels of Quraysh, as saying that,

“Why was not this Qur’an sent down to a man in the two cities, (who is) great?”

He is the one who was sent by the Quraysh to enter into a peace treaty at Hudaybiyah between them and the Prophet, when until that time he was yet an infidel. In the ninth year of Migration (Hijrah), when the Prophet returned from the battle of Taef, he accepted Islam and asked permission to return to his hometown to invite the people towards Islam. He returned and invited them towards Islam, and when he was reciting the Azan for the Prayers, one of his tribesmen shot an arrow at him and he died. When the Prophet of Allah received the news of his martyrdom, he said,

“The similitude of Urwah is that of the believer of Yasin, who invited his tribe towards worship of Allah and they killed him”. [1]

Notes:

[1] When the people of the city disbelieved and rejected the message from Hazrat Isa (a.s), a man from the outskirts of the city, i.e. Habib-an-Najjar (Habib, the carpenter), who is popularly known as 'Mo'mine Ale Yasin', came running and exhorted his people to believe in the message of the 'Selfless Ones' (the Messengers). For his words refer verses 20 to 32 of Surah-al-Yasin. The Roman name of the man is Theofelus i.e. Habibullah. There is another tradition that Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.) said that, "There are three persons who responded to the call of their Prophets without hesitation and they never bowed to any one besides Allah even for the twinkling of an eye, viz. Habib-an-Najjar, the believer of Ale Yasin; Izekiel, the believer from the people of Fir'aun, and Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s), who is superior among all of them.


And it is quoted similarly in Sharhe Shamaele Mohammadiyah in interpretation of the saying of the Prophet that,

“If one beholds Isa bin Maryam, he will find him to resemble the most to Urwah bin Mas’ood”.

Jazari relates from Ibne Abbas in Asadul Ghabah, that Prophet Mohammad said,

“There are four Chiefs in Islam, Bushr bin Bilal Abadi, Adi bin Hatim, Suraqah bin Malik Madalji, and Urwah bin Mas’ood Saqafi”.

(Malhoof) Ali bin Husain was the most handsome and elegant among all men. He then asked permission from his father for battle. Imam gave him permission and then looked at him with dejection, while tears flowed from his eyes and he wept.

(Tasliyatul Majalis) It is related that he lifted his beard towards the heavens and said,

“O Allah! Be a witness upon these men, that the youth who resembles your Prophet the most in character and speech is proceeding towards them. Whenever we desired beholding the face of your Prophet, we would look at him. O Allah! Withhold away the bounties of the earth from them and cause dissention among them and scatter them. Disparage their policy and do not make them earn the pleasure of their chiefs, for they invited us so as to assist us, then they leapt upon us and fought us”.

Then he called for Umar bin Sa’ad saying,

“What has happened to you? May Allah terminate your progeny! And may He turn your act inauspicious! And may He dominate someone upon you, who would behead you in your bed as you have ripped our wombs and did not consider the sanctity of the Prophet of Allah with regard to me”.

Then he raised a cry and recited the following verse of the Qur’an,

“Verily Allah did choose Adam and Nooh and the descendants of Ibraheem and the descendants of Imran above all the worlds”. [1]

Ali bin Husain laid siege upon the army while saying,

“I am Ali bin Husain bin Ali, by the House of Allah! We possess superiority while bearing relation with the Prophet than Shabas (bin Rab’ee) and Shimr, the base ones, I shall strike at you with the sword until it bends, the sword of a Hashimite Alawite youth, I shall keep defending my father, and by Allah! The son of the illegitimate one shall not have command upon us”.

He attacked the enemies repeatedly and put numerous among them to sword.

(Tasliyatul Majalis) He killed such a large number that the army started bewailing. It is also related that although being thirsty, he killed one hundred and twenty men. It is related in Manaqib, that he put to sword seventy men and returned to his father after receiving numerous wounds.

(Tasliyatul Majalis, Malhoof) He said, “O father! Thirst is killing me while the load of iron (ammunitions) has bereft me of my strength. Is there water available so that I may regain strength and pounce upon the enemies?”

(Malhoof) Hearing this Imam Husain wept and said,

“O Aide! O dear son! Fight for a while, and very soon you shall behold your grandfather Mohammad. You shall drink from his flowing cup and shall never ever be thirsty”.

(Tasliyatul Majalis) Imam Husain told him,

“O my dear son! Remove your tongue out”,

saying this, the Imam placed his tongue in his mouth and suckled it. Then he placed his ring in Ali’s mouth and said,

“Return back to the battlefield, and I hope that before the night comes forth, your grandfather shall hand you a cup with overflowing drink, consuming which you shall never ever feel thirsty”.

Ali Akbar returned towards the battlefield and said, “The realities for the battle have become apparent and after that it’s evidences too, by the Lord of the heavens! We shall not part with your group until the swords enter the sheaths”. Then he continued fighting until he killed two hundred men.

(Irshad) The army of Kufa refrained themselves from killing him. The sight of Murrah bin Munqiz Abadi Laysi fell upon him and he said, “The sins of Arabs be upon my neck, if he passes by me doing what he does, and I do not aggrieve his mother due to him”.[1]

At the time when he was busy attacking the army, Murrah bin Munqiz faced him and hurled a lance at him while throwing him upon the ground. Seeing this, the army surrounded him from all sides and cut him to pieces with their swords. “If the Indian swords have devoured their flesh, while the flesh of the honourable men has always been its prey”. [2]


Notes:

[1] In Rawzatus Safa it is stated that he attacked the army twelve times.

[2] In certain books of martyrdom it is stated that Murrah bin Munqiz struck his sword upon the crown of his head and the army too struck at him with their swords. Ali put his hands around the neck of his horse who took him in the midst of the enemy. They cut him into pieces with their swords. When his end drew


271
It is stated in Manaqib that Murrah bin Munqiz Abadi suddenly pierced his lance into Ali Akbar’s back and others attacked him with their swords. Abul Faraj says that he attacked continuously until an arrow pierced his throat and punctured it. He was drenched in blood and called out, “O dear father! Peace be upon you! Here is my grandfather the Prophet of Allah calling me to hasten”. Then he raised a cry and died. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Sayyed ibne Tawoos says that then Imam Husain came besides Ali Akbar and placed his cheek upon that of his. (Tabari, Tasliyatul Majalis) Hamid bin Muslim relates, that on the tenth day (of Moharram) I heard with my own ears Imam Husain saying,


“O my dear son! May Allah kill the one who killed you. What measure of audacity have they acquired against Allah, the Beneficent, and in violating the sanctity of the Prophet?”

(Irshad) Tears started flowing abundantly from Imam Husain’s eyes and he said, “Woe be upon this world after you”. It is stated in Rawzatus Safa that Imam Husain wept profusely besides him such that none had ever heard him doing so before. [1]


Here the author quotes a lengthy elegy by Abi Tamam, which we forgo – translator.

It is stated in the salutations of Ali Akbar related by Imam Ja’far as Sadiq that,

“May my parents be ransom upon the beheaded one, the one killed guiltlessly! May my parents be ransom upon the blood that reached the Friend of Allah in the heavens! May my parents be ransom upon you who hastened towards the battlefield in the presence of his father, who sacrificed you in the way of Allah! Then he wept upon you and his heart scorched for you. He hurled your blood towards the heavens, not a drop of which returned, and his cry for you would not be diminished”.

(Tabari, Maqatilat Talibiyyin, Malhoof) Shaikh Mufeed says that Sayyedah Zainab, the sister of Imam Husain hastened, and cried out, “Woe my brother! Woe my nephew!” She came and threw herself upon the corpse of near he called out, "O dear father! Here is my grandfather the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.), who serves me an overflowing cup. Then hasten! Hasten! For he holds a cup in his hand for you too, then you too may partake of it.

[1] Allamah Turayhi relates, that when Ali bin Husain fell a martyr upon the desert of Karbala, Imam Husain went besides him wearing a shirt, cloak, and a turban whose two ends were on the either side of his head (upon his shoulders). Imam said, "Now O my dear son! You have found relief from imprisonment and the anxieties of this world, and very soon I too shall join you".


272 Ali Akbar. Imam Husain lifted her head and brought her back to the tents. Then he called out to the youth saying, “Take your brother”. (Tabari, Maqatilat Talibiyyin) They brought him from the spot of his martyrdom and placed him in front of the tent facing which he had fought.

There is difference of opinion in the statements of Scholars regarding the first martyr among the Ahlulbayt. Some opine that the first martyr was Ali Akbar, while others say that it was Abdullah bin Muslim bin Aqeel. And we, in concordance with the statements of Tabari, Jazari (Ibne Aseer), Isfahani (Abul Faraj), Daynoori, Shaikh Mufeed, Sayyed ibne Tawoos and others, consider Ali Akbar to be the first martyr (among the Ahlulbayt), while the salutations containing the names of the martyrs bear testimony to this, whose wordings are: “Peace be upon you O the first martyr from among the progeny of the best of Friends (of Allah)”.

And whatever Shaikh Najmuddin ibne Nima says that, “Quite a few persons were alive among the Ahlulbayt when Ali Akbar went to the battlefield”, is weak, and what he intended might be similar to the above, but the trend of his speech does not confirm it.

There is also difference of opinion regarding the age of Ali Akbar. Mohammad Ibne Shahre Ashob and Mohammad bin Abi Talib opine that he was eighteen years old, while Shaikh Mufeed says that he was nineteen years old. Therefore according to this, he was younger than Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen. And some even say that he was twenty-five years old or less, and was thus older than Imam Zainul Abedeen, while this is accurate and more renowned.

The Eminent among Jurists, Mohammad bin Idris Hilli says at the conclusion of the book Hajj in context of the Salutations of Abu Abdullah Imam Husain that, “Then salutations of his son Ali Akbar should be pronounced, whose mother was Layla, the daughter of Abi Murrah bin Urwah Saqafi. He was the first martyr on the day of the tenth (of Moharram) from the family of Hazrat Abu Talib. He was born during the caliphate of Usman and has narrated traditions from his Grandfather Imam Ali, while poets, like Abi Ubaydah and Khalaf al Ahmar, have composed couplets in his praise”.

Shaikh Mufeed in his Irshad, says that the one martyred in Karbala was Ali Asghar (the younger), whose mother was from the clan of Bani Saqif, while Ali Akbar (the elder) is Imam Zainul Abedeen, whose mother was Shahzanan, the daughter of Khusro Parwiz or was a slave girl. [1]


Notes:

[1] Allamah Majlisi says that Mohammad bin Abi Talib and Abul Faraj say, that his mother was Layla, the daughter of Abi Murrah bin Urwah bin Mas'ood Saqafi and on the tenth (of Moharram) he was eighteen years of age. Thus it seems that Abul Faraj also considers his age to be of eighteen years, but Abul Faraj in his Maqatilat Talibiyyin does not state so but says something contrary to it. For he considers Ali Akbar to have been born during the caliphate of Usman bin Affan, and this is more sane than his earlier quote.


273
Abul Faraj relates from Mughirah, that once Mu’awiyah asked, “Who is more worthy of the caliphate?” It was said unto him, “You”. He replied, “No, the most worthy amongst men for this position is Ali bin Husain bin Ali who combines in himself the valour of Bani Hashim, the munificence of Bani Umayyah [1] and the honour of (Bani) Saqif”.

It should be borne in mind that according to some narratives and Salutations he had a son and a family. The Trustworthy Authority of Islam Shaikh Kulaini relates from Ali bin Ibraheem Qummi, from his father, from Ahmed bin Mohammad bin Abi Nasr Bazanti, who says that I inquired from Imam Ali ar Reza that,“If a man marries a woman and also marries her father’s slave-girl?” Imam replied, “There is no harm in it”. I said, “It has reached me from your father that Imam Ali bin Husain (Zainul Abedeen ) married the daughter of (Imam) Hasan bin Ali and his slave-girl. And one of my friends have asked me to inquire from you regarding it”. Imam replied,

“It is not so. Verily Imam Ali bin Husain (Zainul Abedeen) married the daughter of Imam Hasan bin Ali and the slave-girl of Ali bin Husain (al Akbar), who was martyred in Karbala”.

Hamiri too quotes similarly with his reliable chain of narrators.

In the lengthy salutations quoted by (Abu Hamza) Sumali from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq in context of the salutation of Ali bin Husain, the martyr of Karbala, it is stated: “Allah’s greetings upon you, and your progeny, and your household, and your fore-fathers, and your sons”.

And regarding whether his mother was present is Karbala or no; we have seen no reports confirming it. And Allah is the Best Knower.

Martyrdom of Abdullah bin Muslim bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib
(Tasliyatul Majalis) The first one among the Ahlulbayt to step into the battlefield was Abdullah bin Muslim bin Aqeel. He was reciting the following Rajaz: “Today I shall meet Muslim my father, and I shall meet the youth who sacrificed their entirety for the Religion of the Prophet, they are a group who do not know to lie, but they were fair and of noble descent from Hashim, the masters of the noblemen”.



Notes:




[1] Ali Akbar was not directly related to the Bani Umayyah family; rather his mother Layla was the daughter of Maymunah, the daughter of Abu Sufyan (Ref. Al Husain wa Batlat Karbala by Allamah Shaikh Mohammad Jawad Mughni'ah). Here Mu'awiyah slyly tries to associate his lofty character with that of his own family (Bani Umayyah), while in reality Ali Akbar had inherited the outstanding merits and excellent character of the Bani Hashim.


274
He attacked thrice and slew ninety-eight men, and in the end, Amr bin Sabeeh Saydawi and Asad bin Malik killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Abul Faraj says that his mother was Ruqayyah, the daughter of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib. Shaikh Mufeed and Tabari say, that a man from the army of Umar, named Amr bin Sabeeh, shot an arrow at Abdullah while he placed his hand on the forehead to save himself. The arrow pierced his hand and nailed it to his forehead and he could not separate it. Another man pierced a lance into his chest and killed him. (May Allah sanctify his spirit).

Ibne Aseer in his Kamil says that Mukhtar (bin Abu Ubaydah) called for Zayd bin Riqqad Hababi. He came and said, “I nailed the hand of a youth to his forehead from among them with an arrow, and the youth was Abdullah bin Muslim bin Aqeel. When I shot an arrow at him, he said: O Allah! These men deem us to be lowly and wretched. O Allah! Kill them, as they have killed us. I shot another arrow at him and when I went to his side, he had died. Then I pulled out the arrow from his heart, which had killed him. I also started moving the arrow up and down from his forehead, but its handle came out while its point remained therein”. Hearing this, the men of Mukhtar hastened towards him, but he attacked them with his sword. Ibne Kamil said, “Do not kill him with lances and swords, rather kill him with your arrows and stones”. They shot arrows at him and he fell upon the ground and was burnt alive. (May Allah’s curse be upon him).

Martyrdom of Aun bin Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib
Tabari says that the army surrounded them from all sides. Abdullah bin Qatabah Ta’i Nab-hani attacked Aun bin Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib and killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

It is stated in Manaqib that he was reciting the following Rajaz: “If you do not know me I am the son of Ja’far, the truthful martyr who abides in the illuminated Paradise, flying with green coloured wings therein, and this is enough (proof) for eminence on the day of Qiyamah”. Then he killed three horsemen and eighteen foot-soldiers, and Abdullah bin Qatabah Ta’i killed him.

Abul Faraj (Isfahani) says that his mother was Sayyedah Zainab Aqeelah, the daughter of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib and Sayyedah Fatemah az Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet of Allah.

Sulayman bin Qibbah, in elegy for Aun says, “Weep upon Aun if you desire to weep, who was never prepared to forsake him (Imam) in distress, by my life!


275
‘The Near Ones’ had to face great difficulties, then weep upon a lengthy calamity”.

His mother Aqeelah (Zainab)[1]is the one from whom Ibne Abbas relates the narration of Fadak from her mother Fatemah and says: Our prudent lady (Aqeelah) Zainab, the daughter of Imam Ali, relates to us....... (etc.).



Notes:

[1] Sayyedah Zainab al Kubra (the elder Zainab), the elder daughter of Imam Ali and Sayyedah Fatemah az Zahra was born in Madinah during the life-time of the Noble Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.). She was thus brought up in the sacred laps of her grandfather, father and mother, alongwith her brothers and sister. Thus she was surrounded from all sides by infallibity, then why would not one expect such brilliance in her character? She combined in herself the eminence of her grandfather, valour of her father, piety of her mother and morals of her brothers. Soon after her birth, Jibra'eel descended with greetings upon the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.) and presented the name chosen by Allah for her, thus she was named Zainab, viz. embellishment of (her) father, rather she proved to be an embellishment for Islam in particular and the entire universe in general. Zainab al Kubra was married to her cousin Abdullah, titled Bahrus Sakha (the Ocean of
Munificence), the son of Ja'far at Tayyar, and bore him four sons viz. Aun, Mohammad, Ali and Abbas, and one daughter Umme Kulsum. She sacrificed her sons Aun and Mohammad in the way of Allah at Karbala and seldom wept upon them. After the martyrdom of Imam Husain she assumed the role of preserving the name of Imam Husain and his mission that was to secure the permanence of Islam and unveil the ugly face of hypocrisy and despotism. She faced the worst ordeals of life with unwavering forbearance and unparalleled prowess, which would even falter the feet of the most valorous of men. While her eloquent sermons at Kufa and Syria shook the very foundations of the throne of Bani Umayyah, and people listened to her words dumbfounded and in awe. She spoke such prudently that people presumed Imam Ali had risen, she thus dealt a final blow to the wall of despotism. Apart from this, she was the one who was responsible for preserving the continuity of the Progeny of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.), since it is narrated (at several places in this book too) that at times she saved the life of Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen and was prepared to sacrifice her ownself in his stead. Her sublime qualities can be established by numerous titles bestowed upon her viz. Aqeelat Bani Hashim, the intellectual among the Hashimites; Aqeelat Quraysh, the intellectual among the Quraysh; Shareekatul Husain, the associate of Husain; Al Alematul Ghairul Mu'allimah, an intellectual without having being trained; Al Faheematul Ghairul Mufahhimah, a knowledgeable who needs none to make her understand; Saniye Zahra, the second Zahra; Ummul Masaeb, the mother of griefs; Sahibatul Musibatul Uzma, the bearer of the grand sorrow; etc. There is difference of opinion regarding the place of her burial, some opine that she died in Madinah and is buried there, while others say that she lies buried in Cairo. But the most accurate, which is unanimously accepted by the Shi'ah Scholars, is that she is buried in Damascus, Syria at a place now known as 'Zainabiyah'. The pilgrimage to her blessed grave is highly recommended and visiting it is a desire of every true believer and a seeker of truth. Numerous books have been authored depicting her meritorious life, for further readings refer to: Khasaise Zainabiyah by Sayyed Nuruddin Jazaeri, Zainab Ukhtal Husain by Mohammad Husain al Adeeb, Zainab al Kubra by Shaikh Ja'far Naqdi, Aqeelat Bani Hashim by Sayyed Ali Hashmi, Ma'a Batlat



It is better to be borne in mind that Abdullah bin Ja’far had two sons named Aun, who were given the title of Akbar (the elder) and Asghar (the younger). The mother of one of them was Zainab Aqeelah, and of the other Juma’ah, the daughter of Musayyab bin Najabah Fazari. There is difference regarding which of them was martyred alongwith Imam Husain in Karbala. But it is evident that the one martyred (in Karbala) was Aun al Akbar (the elder), the son of Sayyedah Zainab, while Aun al Asghar was killed in the incident of Hirrah by the men of Musrif bin Aqabah, the accursed, as opined by Abul Faraj Isfahani.

Martyrdom of Mohammad bin Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib
(Tabari) Amir bin Nah-shal Tamimi attacked Mohammad bin Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib and killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him.)

Abul Faraj (Isfahani) says that his mother was Khawsa, [1] the daughter of Hafsah from the clan of Bani Bakr bin Wael.

Sulayman bin Qibbah, in elegy for him says: “When the one whose name was similar to that of the Prophet fell in their midst, they raised their sharp-edged and clear-cut swords upon his head, then if you desire to weep O my eyes, then weep generously with tears similar to a tempest”.

It is related in Manaqib, that he proceeded towards the battlefield saying, “I complain to Allah regarding the enemies, a nation who are blind and who spread devastation, who have changed the characteristics of the Qur’an, the firm revelation, and its rationality, they have sided in disbelief with the despots”. Then he put to sword ten men and Amir bin Nah-shal Tamimi killed him.

Abul Faraj says that following him, his brother Ubaydullah bin Abdullah bin Ja’far was martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). It is quoted in Manaqib, that Bishr bin Huwaytar Qanasi killed him.

Karbala by Shaikh Mohammad Jawad Mughniyyah, Ibnatuz Zahra Batlatul Fida by Ali Ahmed Shalabi, Fi Rihabas Sayyedah Zainab by Sayyed Mohammad Bahrul Uloom, Batlat Karbala by Dr. Ayesha Bintush Shati Misri etc. May Allah's Eternal Blessings be upon her and her Noble Household.

[1] In certain books it is stated that his (Mohammad's) mother too was Sayyedah Zainab al Kubra, ref. Safinatul Bihar by Shaikh Abbas Qummi, Khasaise Zainabiyah by Sayyed Nuruddin Jazaeri, Zainab: Ukhtal Husain by Mohammad Husain al Adeeb, etc. And Allah is the Best Knower.


277
Martyrdom of Abdul Rahman bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib
Usman bin Khalid bin al-Aaseer Jahni and Bishr bin Sawt Hamadani Qanasi attacked Abdul Rahman bin Aqeel and killed him.

It is quoted in Manaqib, that he was reciting the following Rajaz: “My father was Aqeel thus know my position in the (Bani) Hashim, while the (Bani Hashim) are brothers of one another, and are considerably honest, masters of the Qur’an, this is Husain whose base is eminent, and he is the Master of the seniors as also the youth”.

He killed seventeen men. It is related from Madaeni, that Usman bin Khalid bin al-Aasheem and a Hamadanide man killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). It is also said that the mother of Mohammad bin Muslim bin Aqeel was a slave-girl and Usman bin Khalid Jahni killed him.

It is related in Tarikh of Tabari, that Mukhtar seized two men in Kufa who had participated in the murder of Abdul Rahman bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib and looted his clothes. He severed their necks and burnt them, Allah’s curse be upon them.

Martyrdom of Ja’far bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib
His mother was Ummus Saghar, the daughter of Amir, from the clan of Bani Kilab. While some say that his mother was Khawsa’, the daughter of Amr bin Amir Kilabi.

He stepped into the battlefield saying, “I am a youth of the valley, a wanderer, I am from the family of Hashim, the predominant, and verily we are the masters, this is Husain the most sanctified among all sacred”.

Abdullah bin Urwah Khas’ami shot an arrow at him and killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

It is stated in Manaqib, that he put to sword two men, while others say that he killed fifteen horsemen and Bishr bin Sawt Hamadani killed him.

Martyrdom of Abdullah al Akbar bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib
His mother was a slave-girl, while Abu Marham Azdi and Laqeet bin Ayas Jahni killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Abul Faraj Isfahani relates from Imam Mohammad al Baqir and Mohammad bin Abu Sa’eed [1] bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib al Ahwal (the squint-


Notes:

[1] Abu Sa'eed bin Aqeel is the same man who had humiliated Abdullah bin Zubayr in the assembly of Mu'awiyah. Ibne Abil Hadeed relates from Abu Usman that once Imam Hasan bin Ali went to meet Mu'awiyah, when Abdullah bin Zubayr was seated there. Mu'awiyah desired to sow the seeds of discord among the Quraysh, thus he asked the Imam, "Who was elder, Zubayr or Ali"? Imam Hasan replied, "They were near (in age) to one another while Ali was senior to Zubayr. And may Allah have mercy upon Ali". Abdullah bin Zubayr said, "May Allah have mercy upon Zubayr". Abu Sa'eed bin Aqeel, who was present there, said, "O Abdullah! Why do you get excited when someone sends mercy upon his father"? He replied, "I too send mercy upon my father". Abu Sa'eed said, "Your father was neither equal nor similar to him". He said, "Why did he not have a measure in it? Both of them were from the Quraysh and both of them claimed caliphate, while neither of them succeeded". Abu Sa'eed replied, "Withdraw this from your mind. Ali occupied a place among the Quraysh with relation to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) as you know, and when he claimed caliphate they obeyed him, while he was a Chieftain. While Zubayr aspired towards the cause whose commander was a woman, and when the battle of Jamal intensified he retreated back. And before the right would be distinguished from falsehood, he escaped. A crippled man beheaded him and plundered his clothes. While Ali, similar to the time of his cousin (the Prophet), proceeded further. May Allah have mercy upon Ali". Ibne Zubayr said, "O Abu Sa'eed! If you had uttered similar words to someone else, you would have known". Abu Sa'eed replied, "For whose sake (referring to Mu'awiyah) you defile him (Ali) is himself reluctant with you". Mu'awiyah interrupted their speech and they became silent. Ayesha was informed about their speech, and one day when Abu Sa'eed passed by her house, she called him in a loud voice saying, "O Abu Sa'eed! You have uttered such and such words with my brother"? Abu Sa'eed turned around but could not see anyone, and said, "Shaitan looks at you while you do not see him". Ayesha laughed and said, "Bravo to your father! What a sharp tongue you possess"!


278 eyed), that his mother was a slave-girl and Laqeet bin Yasir Jahni seized him and killed him according to the narrative of Madaeni who relates from Abu Makhnaf, from Sulayman bin Rashid, from Hameed bin Muslim.

Mohammad bin Ali bin Hamza says that after him, Ja’far bin Mohammad bin Aqeel was martyred. While it is also related from some that he was killed in the incident of Hirrah. But Abul Faraj Isfahani says that I have not found the name of the son of Mohammad bin Aqeel named Ja’far in the genealogical books.

It is also related from Mohammad bin Ali bin Hamza, from Aqeel bin Abdullah bin Aqeel bin Mohammad bin Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Aqeel bin Abi Talib, that Ali bin Aqeel, whose mother was a slave-girl, was also martyred on the tenth (of Moharram in Karbala). The persons among the progeny of Abu Talib who were martyred on the tenth day (of Moharram) were twenty two excluding those regarding whom there is difference of opinion.

Ibne Qutaybah states in Ma’arif, that the children of Aqeel, who accompanied Imam Husain bin Ali, were nine men, of whom Muslim bin Aqeel was the most valorous.

279
Martyrdom of Qasim bin Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib
His mother was a slave-girl. (Tasleeyatul Majalis) When Imam Husain saw that Qasim prepared to step into the battlefield, he embraced him and they wept until both of them became unconscious. Then Qasim asked permission to go, but Imam refused to grant him the same. He continuously kissed the hands and feet of Imam Husain until he gave him the permission. Qasim left for the battlefield while tears were flowing from his eyes and he was saying, "If you do not know me I am the son of Hasan, the grandson of the Prophet, the chosen one, the confidante, this is Husain similar to the one captivated by the mortgager, in the midst of the people who may be deprived of rain water". He fought fiercely and inspite of being of tender age he put to sword thirty-five men.

It is quoted in Manaqib, that he was reciting the following Rajaz: "Verily I am Qasim from the progeny of Ali, by the Lord of the House! We possess superiority while being related to the Prophet than Shimr (bin) Ziljawshan and the son of an illegitimate one".

It is stated in the Amali of Shaikh Sadooq that after him, referring to Ali bin Husain (al Akbar), Qasim bin Hasan stepped into the battlefield saying, "Do not be uneasy O my self for everyone shall perish, for today you shall meet the dwellers of Paradise". He killed three men and they threw him from his horse upon the ground. Fattal Naishapuri too quotes similarly.

But Abul Faraj, Shaikh Mufeed and Tabari relate from Abu Makhnaf, who relates from Sulayman bin Abi Rashid, from Hameed bin Muslim, who says that a youth, similar to 'the first Splinter of the New Moon', stepped into the battlefield. He held a sword in his hand and wore a cloak and shirt. He wore shoes in his feet, the strap of one of which was broken, and if I do not forget it was the left one. Umar bin Sa'ad bin Nufayl Azdi said, "I desire to attack him". I said, "Glory be to Allah! Why so? This army which has surrounded him from all sides will surely kill him". He said, "By Allah! I shall attack him". He attacked him and before he could turn his face towards him, he dealt a blow upon his head with his sword and slit it. The child fell down on his face upon the ground and called out, "Alas! O dear uncle! Come to my aid". Imam Husain leapt into the battlefield like a wild falcon and attacked like a furious Lion. He attacked Umar with his sword and
he put his hand against it, which got severed from the elbow and hung attached to it. (Irshad) Then he yelled aloud, which was heard by the entire army, and Imam Husain lifted his hands off him. Then the Kufan army laid siege to rescue Umar.

(Tasleeyatul Majalis) When the army attacked, the chest of their horses hit him (Umar) and they started taking rounds until they trampled him and he


280 died. [1] When the sand rested, I saw Husain standing at the head of Qasim, who was stretching his feet upon the ground. Imam Husain said,

"Far be the nation who have killed you, while their enemy on the day of Qiyamah shall be your grandfather (the Prophet)".

Then he said, "By Allah! It is hard upon your uncle that he could not come to your aid when you called him, or he answered but it could not benefit you". (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

(Malhoof) Imam said,

"By Allah! Here he has numerous murderers while his aides are quite less".

Then he pressed him to his chest and took him in a state that his legs were drawing upon the ground. (Tabari) Imam Husain pressed his chest to that of Qasim. I said to myself, "What does he intend doing to him?" Then he brought him and placed him near his son Ali bin Husain (al Akbar) and other martyrs of his family. I asked, "Who is this child?" And I was told, "He is Qasim bin Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib". [2]

It is related that Imam Husain said,

"O Lord! Reduce their quantity, kill each one of them, abandon every one of them, and never forgive them. Forbear O dear cousins! Forbear! O my household! After today you shall never ever see humiliation".

Here the author quotes an elegy by Sayyed Haider in praise of Hazrat Qasim, which we forgo.

In a lengthy salutation quoted by Sayyed Murtaza Alamul Huda (the Standard of Guidance) it is stated that: "Peace be upon Qasim, the son of Hasan, the son of Ali, and Mercy of Allah and His Blessings! Peace be upon you O the son of the beloved of Allah! Peace be you O son of the sweet basil of the Prophet of Allah! Peace be upon you O whose desires were left unfulfilled by the world! The one who could not cure his heart through the enemies of Allah until death hastened towards him and his desire died felicitations to you O beloved of the Prophet of Allah's beloved! How felicitous is your striving, and how eminent is your honour, and how splendid is your place of return".


Notes:

[1] In certain books it is stated that Qasim himself was trampled upon by the horses' hooves in his life-time, and Allah is the Best Knower.

[2] It is related in Madinatul Ma'ajiz, that Qasim returned from the battlefield to his uncle Imam Husain and said, "O dear uncle! Thirst! Quench my thirst with water". Imam enjoined him with forbearance and then gave him his ring to place it in his mouth. Qasim says that when I kept the ring into my mouth I found it similar to a spring of water. My thirst was quenched and I returned to the battlefield.


281
Martyrdom of Abdullah bin Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib
It is stated in Bihaar al-Anwaar, that before the martyrdom of Qasim, Abdullah bin Hasan, regarding whom we have discussed earlier, entered the battlefield. But the more accurate one is that he went to the battlefield after Qasim, saying, "If you do not know me I am the son of Haydar, I am a Male Lion of the thicket, and am a wild wind upon the enemies".

He put to sword twelve men and Hani bin Sabeet Hazrami killed him (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him), who's face then turned black.

Abul Faraj relates from Imam Mohammad al Baqir, that Hurmalah bin Kahil Asadi killed him, and his martyrdom shall be discussed later in the context of the martyrdom of Imam Husain.

Martyrdom of Abu Bakr bin Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib
His mother was a slave-girl, the mother of Qasim. Abul Faraj quotes from Madaeni, who, through his chain of transmitters, quotes from Abu Makhnaf, from Sulayman bin Rashid that Abdullah bin Uqbah Ghanawi killed him.

In the narration of Umayr and Ibne Shimr, it is related from Imam Mohammad al Baqir that Uqbah Ghanawi killed him.

Sulayman bin Qibbah in his elegies remembers him thus, "A drop of our blood is upon the neck of the progeny of Ghani, while the (responsibility of the) other blood is remembered upon (Bani) Asad which cannot be computed".

Abul Faraj considers his martyrdom to have occurred before that of Qasim. But Tabari, Ibne Aseer, Shaikh Mufeed and others relate his martyrdom after (that of Qasim). And Allah is the Best Knower.

Martyrdom of the sons of the Commander of the faithful Ali
(Irshad) When Hazrat Abbas witnessed the martyrdom of the better part of his family, he summoned his real-brothers viz. Abdullah, Ja'far and Usman. Then he said, "O sons of my mother! You do not have children, go to the battlefield before me and sacrifice your lives, so that I may witness your sincerity in relation to Allah and His Prophet.[1]


Notes:

[1] Abu Hanifa Dinawari says that when Abbas bin Ali saw this, he told his (real) brothers Abdullah, Ja'far and Usman bin Ali, whose mother was Ummul Baneen Ameriyyah, from the progeny of Waheed, that, "May my life be your ransom! Proceed further and lay down your lives for your Master". All of them went and started shielding Imam Husain with their faces and necks. Hani bin Sawb (or Sabeet) Hazrami attacked Abdullah bin Ali and killed him, and then he attacked his brother Ja'far and killed him too. Yazid bin Asbahi shot an arrow at Usman bin Ali and killed him. Then he proceeded further and beheaded him. He brought the head to Umar bin Sa'ad and asked for a gift. Umar replied, "Go and ask for a gift from your commander Ubaydullah. The gift is with him". Only Abbas bin Ali remained, he fought alongside Imam Husain and defended him. He accompanied him everywhere until he too was martyred.


282
Martyrdom of Abdullah bin Ali bin Abi Talib
Abdullah entered the battlefield and fought fiercely and exchanged swords with Hani bin Sabeet Hazrami and ultimately Hani killed him. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

The following Rajaz is quoted in Manaqib: "I am the son of an aide and an excellent one, Ali the executor of excellent deeds, the sword of the Prophet of Allah, the avenger, from which (sword) might would manifest daily".

Abul Faraj considers him to be twenty-five years of age.

Martyrdom of Ja'far bin Ali bin Abi Talib
He fought bravely, and according to Manaqib was saying, "Verily I am Ja'far the possessor of excellence, the son of Ali the bestower, the successor to the Prophet a senior and master, I am in proportionate to my (paternal) uncle Ja'far as also my maternal uncle, I defend Husain the possessor of generosity and grace".

Hani bin Sabeet attacked him and killed him. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Abul Faraj quotes Imam Mohammad al Baqir saying, "Khawli Asbahi killed him".

Ibne Shahr Ashob says that Khawli Asbahi shot an arrow that pierced his temple or his eye.

Martyrdom of Usman bin Ali bin Abi Talib
He entered the battlefield reciting the following Rajaz: "Verily I am Usman the possessor of glory, my master is Ali the executor of virtuous deeds, this is Husain the master of fairness, the master of the young and old".

He was twenty-one years old; he went and stood at the place of his brothers (who preceded him).

Abul Faraj and others say that Khawli bin Yazeed shot an arrow at him that threw him down.

It is related in Manaqib, that an arrow pierced his flank and he fell off his horse. A man from (the clan of) Bani Aban bin Darim killed him and took away his head. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him). It is related from Imam Ali that he said, "I have named him after my (believer) brother Usman bin Maz'oon".


283
Martyrdom of Mohammad al Asghar bin Ali bin Abi Talib
His mother was a slave-girl. (Tabari, Abul Faraj) A man from (the clan of) Bani Aban bin Darim killed him and took away his head. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Martyrdom of Abu Bakr bin Ali bin Abi Talib
His name is not known (his Kuniyah is Abu Bakr) while his mother was Layla, the daughter of Mas'ood bin Khalid.

(Tabari) A Hamadani man killed him. Madaeni relates that his corpse was found near a stream while his murderer was not known.

It is stated in Manaqib, that Abu Bakr bin Ali stepped into the battlefield reciting the following Rajaz: "My Master Ali is the possessor of numerous excellences, from the progeny of Hashim the gracious, the beneficent, the pre-eminent, this is Husain the son of the Messenger Prophet, we defend him with our sharpened swords, may my life be your ransom O honourable brother".

He fought until Zahr (or Zajr) bin Badar Jo'fi or Uqbah Ghanawi killed him. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

It is stated in Manaqib, that then his brother Umar came into the battlefield reciting the following Rajaz: "Leave O the enemies of Allah, leave Umar, leave the Lion so that he may strike at you with his sword and he shall not flee, O Zajr! O Zajr! And take your revenge from me". Then he killed Zajr, the murderer of his brother and entered the battlefield.

We say, that it is known among the historians and biographers that Umar was not present at Karbala alongwith his brother Imam Husain. The author of Umdatut Talib, in conclusion of his speech, says that Umar separated himself from his brother Imam Husain and did not accompany him to Kufa. While the narration stating that he was present is Karbala is incorrect. Umar died at the age of 77 or 75 years in Tas'a.

Abul Faraj says that Mohammad bin Ali bin Hamza says that on the day of Ashura, Ibraheem bin Ali was also martyred in Karbala, and his mother was a slave-girl. But others have not quoted him and I have not found anyone by the name of Ibraheem bin Ali in the biographical books.

Sayyed ibne Tawoos says that the author of Masabeeh says that Hasan bin Hasan al Musannah fought alongwith his uncle on the day of Ashura and put to sword seventeen men. He was inflicted with eighteen wounds and fell down from his Horse. His maternal uncle, Asma bin Kharejah, took him to Kufa and treated him until he recovered, then he despatched him to Madinah.

It is quoted in Bihaar al-Anwaar from Maqtal of Khwarizmi, that on the day of Ashura, a child came out of the tent of Imam Husain wearing earrings in


284 both his ears. He was frightened and was looking towards the left and right while his earrings were shaking. Hani bin Sabeet attacked him and killed him. Shahrbanu [82] looked at him dumbfounded and did not utter a word.

Abu Ja'far Tabari relates from Hisham Kalbi that Abul Huzayl relates from a man named Sakuni who says that during the days of Khalid bin Ubaydullah, I saw Hani bin Sabeet Hazrami, who had turned old, saying in the gathering of the people (of the tribe of) Hazram that, "I was there in Karbala on the day of the martyrdom of Husain and was riding a horse alongwith other nine men. The horses were parading and galloping here and there. Suddenly a small child from among the family of Husain, wearing a shirt and trouser, came out of the tent. He held a peg of a tent in his hand; he was frightful and was looking towards the left and right. It is as if I see the two beads of earrings in his ears shaking, when he was turning his head. And it is as if I see that a horseman galloped towards him and on reaching him bent down and cut him into two pieces with his sword". Hisham says that Sakuni said, that the murderer of the child was Hani bin Sabeet himself, and he
concealed his name in fear of reproach. "My eyes have not witnessed such children, whose grief would turn the hearts of men to be roasted on fire".

Relating to the Martyrdom of our Master Abbas bin Ali bin Abi Talib
Shaikh Mufeed in his Irshad and Shaikh Tabarsi in his A'alamul Wara say, that the army attacked Imam Husain and also scattered his troops while their thirst intensified. Imam, accompanied with his brother Abbas, galloped towards the Euphrates. The army of Umar bin Sa'ad blocked their way, while a man from Bani Darim called out to them, "Woe be to you! Block their way towards the Euphrates so that they may not reach it". Imam Husain said, "O Allah! Let him be thirsty". He was infuriated and shot an arrow towards Imam that pierced his chin. Imam pulled out the arrow and placed his palm below it that became full of blood. Then he said,

"O Allah! I complain to You regarding how they treat the son of the daughter of Your Prophet",

Then they returned thirsty. But the army surrounded Hazrat Abbas and separated him from Imam Husain. Abbas fought lonely until he was martyred. Zayd bin Warqa' Hanafi and Hakeem bin Tufayl Ta'i jointly killed him after inflicting several wounds upon him and he did not have the strength to move. Sayyed ibne Tawoos too relates somewhat similarly.

Hasan bin Ali Tabarsi relates, that the arrow of the accursed (from Bani


Notes:

[1] This Shahrbanu is not the mother of Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen, who had died during childbirth, as will be quoted in the end of this book.


285 Darim) pierced the forehead of Imam Husain and Abbas removed it. But the previous narration is more renowned.

Tabari relates from Hisham, who relates from his father Mohammad bin Saeb, from Qasim bin al-Aasbagh bin Nabatah, who says that someone who was present (in Karbala) during the martyrdom of Imam Husain told me that, when the army of Husain was routed, he mounted his horse and went towards the Euphrates. A man from Bani Aban bin Darim said, "Woe be to you! Station yourself between him and the Euphrates so that his Shi'ah may not join him". He galloped his horse and the army too followed him and blocked his access to the Euphrates. Imam Husain said, "O Allah! Make him thirsty". The Abani shot an arrow that pierced the chin of Imam. Imam pulled out the arrow and placed his palm below it, which became full of blood, and he said,

"O Allah! I complain to You regarding how they treat the son of the daughter of Your Prophet".

By Allah! Not much time passed, when I saw thirst overwhelming him while he (the Abani man) was never satiated.

Qasim bin al-Aasbagh further says that I was alongwith the one who was fanning him (the Abani man) while a sweet drink, a jar of milk and jug of water was kept. He was saying, "Woe be to you! Thirst is killing me". A jar of water or a cup, which was quenching the thirst of his family, was handed over to him. He drank and vomited it, then slept for some time. Then again he started saying, "Woe be to you! Give me water, thirst is killing me". By Allah! A sight similar to this was not seen before, while his stomach cracked like that of a Camel.

We (the author) say that from the narration of Ibne Nima it proves that the name of the person was Zar'ah bin Aban bin Darim.

It is related from Qasim bin al-Aasbagh bin Nabatah, who relates from a person who had seen Imam Husain (in Karbala) who had positioned himself upon a high moat close to the bank so as to reach the Euphrates, while Abbas was alongwith him. Suddenly the letter of Ubaydullah addressed to Umar bin Sa'ad arrived, which said that, "Block the water supply to Husain and his companions, and let them not taste a drop from it". Umar bin Sa'ad despatched Amr bin Hajjaj alongwith five hundred men to the waterfront. Abdullah bin Haseen Azdi called out, "O Husain! Do you see this water flowing similar to the heavens? By Allah! You shall not get a drop from it until you, alongwith your companions, perish of thirst". Zar'ah bin Aban bin Darim said, "Position yourselves between him and the Euphrates". Then he shot an arrow towards Imam that pierced his chin, and he said, "O Allah! Let him die of thirst and never forgive him". A drink was brought for the Imam


286, but he could not drink due to the constant flow of blood. He threw the blood towards the heavens and said, "Likewise towards the heavens".

And it is related from Shaikh Abdus Samad, from Abul Faraj, from Abdul Rahman bin Jawzi, that after this the Abani man (Zar'ah) was inflicted with the (disease of) scorching of the stomach and cold back, and was yelling. Thereafter the above narration of Tabari is quoted until the end.

The author of Umdatut Talib, in context of the children of Abbas, says that his Kuniyah (agnomen) was Abul Fazl and title Saqqa (the water carrier). He was bestowed this title because he went to seek water for his brother on the day of Ashura, but before he could reach it to him, he was martyred. His grave is situated near the bank of the river (Euphratus) on the spot of his martyrdom. He was the standard-bearer of Imam Husain on that day.

Abu Nasr Bukhari relates from Mufazzal bin Umar, that Imam Ja'far as Sadiq said,

"Our uncle Abbas was prudent and possessed a firm faith. He fought alongwith Abu Abdullah (Imam Husain) and underwent trials until he was martyred. While (the responsibility of) his blood lies with the Bani Hanifah, and he was thirty-four years when he was killed. His mother, as also that of his brothers Usman, Ja'far and Abdullah, was Ummul Baneen, the daughter of Hizam bin Khalid bin Rabi'ah."

Then he goes on to say, that it is related that the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali inquired from his brother Aqeel, who was a genealogist and knew the Arabian families well, to find a woman from a valorous Arab family, so that he could marry her and she in turn would bear him a valorous son. Aqeel replied, "Then marry Ummul Baneen Kilabiyyah, for there is none among the Arabs who is more valorous than her fathers", thus he married her. Then on the day of the tenth of Moharram (Ashura), Shimr bin Ziljawshan Kilabi came and called for Abbas and his brothers saying, "Where are my nephews?" They did not reply to him. Imam Husain told his brothers,

"Answer him, although he is a lewd person, for he is from among your uncles (of the same tribe)".

They asked him, "What do you desire?" Shimr replied, "Come to me, for you all are under protection, do not kill yourselves alongwith your brother". Hearing this they denounced him in harsh words and said, "May you be ugly and may that be ugly too what you have brought (the document of security). Should we desert our Master and Chief and enter your security?" He (Abbas) alongwith his three brothers was martyred on that day.

Shaikh Sadooq relates from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen that

"May Allah's Mercy be upon Abbas! He self-sacrificed fairly and underwent


287 trials. He offered his life for his brother until both his arms were severed. And Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, compensated him with two wings and he flies in Paradise alongwith the Angels as He had presented to Ja'far bin Abi Talib. While Abbas possesses such a position near Allah, may He be Hallowed and Exalted, that on the day of Qiyamah all the martyrs will be envious of it".

Abul Faraj (Isfahani) says that Abbas bin Ali bin Abi Talib's agnomen was Abul Fazl, while his mother was Ummul Baneen, whose eldest son he was. And he was the last among his real brothers to be martyred, for he had sons, while his other brothers had none. He sent them to the battlefield before himself until all of them were martyred and their inheritance passed on to him.[1]Then he himself stepped into the battlefield and fell a martyr. Ubaydullah (the son of Abbas) inherited from all of them and his uncle Umar bin Ali disputed with him in this regard. Then he settled with him by giving him the wealth that he agreed upon.

Jarmi bin Abul A'la relates from Zubayr, who relates from his uncle, that the progeny of Abbas referred to him as Saqqa and bestowed him with the agnomen of Abul Qirbah (Lit. father of the water-skin, for he strived hard to get water for Imam Husain and his family). But I have never seen any of his sons nor have I heard anything like this from them.

A eulogizer praises Abbas thus: "The youth is more worthy to be wept upon whose death made Husain weep in Karbala, he was his brother and the son of his father Ali, Abul Fazl who was smeared in blood and assisted his brother, he himself remained thirsty and strived to get water for him".

Kumayt (Asadi) says regarding him: "Abul Fazl whose remembrance is pleasant and a cure for the illness of the soul, who fought against the illegitimate men, while they fought against him who was the most honourable among those who consumed the rain-water".

Abbas possessed a pleasant countenance, he was handsome and of immense height. When he would mount upon a sturdy horse, his feet would touch the ground. He was called 'Qamare Bani Hashim' (the Moon of the Bani Hashim). He was the standard-bearer of Imam Husain on the day of


Notes:

[1] From the above report of Abul Faraj it appears that Hazrat Abbas sent his brothers before him so that he (or his son) might inherit from them (Allah's refuge). This seems quite fictitious, for if he had desired the wealth of this world he would have accepted the invitation of Shimr, who had offered him protection and Ubaydullah in turn would have bestowed lavish gifts upon him. But his sincerity and devotion towards serving his Imam is indisputable, while his faith and virtue unparalleled. Thus this report of Abul Faraj is nothing but the outcome of prejudice and his (Abul Faraj's) pervert opinion.


288 Ashura.

It is related from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq that he said that, "Imam Husain arrayed his troops and handed over his standard to Abbas".

Imam Mohammad al Baqir says that Zayd bin Waqad Jahmi (or bin Warqa' Hanafi) and Hakeem bin Tufayl Tai' killed Abbas.

It is related from Mu'awiyah bin Ammar, who relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that he said that, "Ummul Baneen, the mother of the four martyred brothers would go to (the cemetery of) Baqi' and would lament with heart-rending and grief-stricken words upon her sons. People would gather and listen to her (sorrowful words). One day Marwan (bin Hakam) came and heard her lamenting and started weeping (inspite of being ruthless himself).

Ibne Shahr Ashob in his Manaqib says that Abbas, the Saqqa' (the water Carrier), the Moon of the Hashimites, the Standard-Bearer of Husain, and the greatest of his real brothers went in pursuit of water. They attacked him and he too lay siege and said, "I do not fear death even when it calls out to me, or until I do not fight the tested fighters and fall upon the ground, my life is ransom upon the one who is the life of Mustafa, verily I am Abbas the one who fetches water, while I do not fear on the day of battle".

He scattered the forces, while Zayd bin Warqa' Jahni, who was lying in ambush for him behind a tree, severed his right hand alongwith the help of Hakeem bin Tufayl Sumbosi. Then he took the sword in his left hand while reciting the following Rajaz: "By Allah! Although you have severed my right hand, I shall keep defending my Religion as also my positively Truthful Imam, who is the son of the Chaste and Trustworthy Prophet".

He fought until he was exhausted and Hakeem bin Tufayl Ta'i hid behind a tree and dealt a blow upon his left hand and severed it. Abbas said, "O self do not fear the infidels, may you receive the glad tidings of the Mercy of the Omnipotent, alongwith the Prophet the Master of the empowered, they have severed my left hand with injustice, O Lord burn them with the fire (of hell)".

The accursed killed him with his iron mace. When Imam Husain saw him upon the ground near the bank of Euphratus, he wept and said, "You have done injustice through your actions O accursed nation, and have opposed the words of Prophet Mohammad, did not the Best Prophet bequeath to you regarding us, are we not of the progeny of the Righteous Prophet, is not Zahra from among you my mother, is not Ahmed the best among the creations, curse befell you and you were humiliated on account of what you did, and very soon you will face the scorching fire (of hell)".

We say that if one desires to realise the state of Imam Husain on the death of his brother, family members and other companions, should ponder


289 upon the words of Imam Ali and his condition upon the death of his eminent companions and friends (in the battle of Siffeen) like Ammar bin Yasir, Malik Ashtar, Mohammad bin Abu Bakr, Abul Haysam bin Teehan, Khuzaymah bin Sabit and others. It is related that on a Friday preceding his martyrdom, Imam Ali made a speech in which he remembered them and said, "Where are my brothers who were upon the thoroughfare and where have they passed who were truth loving men? Where is Ammar? Where is Ibnat Teehan? Where is Zush Shahadatayn (Khuzaymah bin Sabit)? Where are others similar to them who had pledged among themselves to die and their heads were despatched to the presence of wicked men?" Then he held his blessed beard in his hand and wept bitterly, then said, "Alas upon the brothers who recited the Qur'an and remained steadfast. Those who recognised their obligation and fulfilled them, they enlivened the customs and trampled the innovations.
They were invited to strive and they hastened towards it".

It is related, that when Ammar bin Yasir was martyred in Siffeen alongwith a group of the companions of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali, and when night came, Imam Ali wandered among the martyrs. When he saw Ammar fallen upon the ground, he lifted his head and placed it upon his thigh and wept, then said, "O death! Till when shall you be away from me, when you have not spared for me any friend of (my) friend, I find you discerning towards those whom I love, as if you proceed towards them with evidences".

In the complete poetical work (of Imam Ali), the first couplet is as follows: "O death which shall not leave me, relieve me for you have taken away all my friends".

It is related in Bihaar al-Anwaar, that when Hazrat Abbas found himself alone, he came to Imam Husain and said, "Do you permit me?" Imam wept bitterly and said, "O dear brother! You are my standard-bearer, then if you go away my army will get scattered". Abbas replied, "My heart is getting narrow and I am satiated from life. And I desire to avenge the blood of my brothers from these hypocrites". Imam Husain said, "Then bring water for these children". Abbas proceeded and counseled the army and warned them, but it did not prove fruitful. Then he returned to the Imam and informed him. He heard the children wailing "O thirst", he took a water-skin and mounted his horse and went towards the Euphratus. Four thousand men, who were guarding the Euphratus, surrounded him from all sides and shot arrows at him. He attacked them and killed eighty men until he had ripped them, then he entered the river. He tried to drink water, [1] when suddenly he remembered the thirst of Imam and his Household. He then threw away the water and filled the water-skin. He placed the water-skin upon his right shoulder and turned towards the tents. They blocked his way and surrounded him from all sides. He fought with them until Nawfal severed his right hand with his sword. Then he placed the water-skin upon his left shoulder. Nawful then severed his left hand from the wrist and he held the water-skin by his teeth. Then an arrow pierced the water skin and water flowed from it. Another arrow pierced his heart and he fell off from the horse and called out, "O Master! Find me". When Imam came to his head, he saw him smeared in sand and blood and wept.


Notes:

[1] The above incident cannot be relied upon for the simple reason being that such covetousness can never be expected from a person of Hazrat Abbas's caliber, who was far more exalted than can be perceived by the ordinary intelligence. Thus to say that Abbas intended drinking water, in reality tarnishes his eminent personality and falsifies his devotion towards his Imam, that it was only after he remembered the thirst of Imam Husain and his household, did he throw away the water. Probably, what Abbas, the 'Virtuous Slave of Allah', intended, while filling his palm with water, was to announce to the enemies that the water, which they had held back from them, was very easy for them to conquer, and he did this perhaps to instill fear in their hearts. It was very easy for them to vanquish the enemies and crush their suppression, but they had readily submitted to the Will and Command of Allah, thus he threw away the water without partaking a drop of it. Most significantly, it could also be described as a declaration of Imam Husain's everlasting triumph against evil and despotism at Karbala.


Regarding his martyrdom, Turayhi says that a man attacked him and struck at the crown of his head with an iron club that split up and he fell down upon the ground and called out, "O Aba Abdillah! My salutations be upon you!"

Ibne Nima says regarding Hakeem bin Tufayl that he stole the dress of Abbas off his body and shot an arrow at him.

It is stated in Bihaar al-Anwaar that it is said, that when Abbas was martyred, Imam Husain said,

"Now my back has bent, and my maneuver has lessened".

Here the author quotes two couplets in praise of Hazrat Abbas, one by Abu Ja'far bin Ameer Alhaj Husainee, and the other by Shaikh Ibne Nima, which we forgo.

I (the author), say that while discussing the aid rendered by Hazrat Abul Fazl (Abbas) to Imam Husain reminds me of the aid rendered by his (Abbas)'s father, the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali to his cousin, the Prophet of Allah. Therefore, I shall quote it as an embellishment for this book.

Jahiz in the book Usmaniyah quotes from Ibne Abil Hadeed that Abu Bakr was in great severity in Makkah before migration, while Ali bin Abi Talib was in safety. Neither was he sought after nor did he seek. Abu Ja'far Iskafi, while refuting this, says that we have related a reliable tradition with chain of authorities that when Imam Ali accepted Islam, he was adolescent and sane. And he expelled the Qurayshite polytheists with his tongue and heart and was a burden for them. While he was the one who was confined in the valley (alongwith the Prophet during boycott) and not Abu Bakr. He was the one, who in the dark and straightened circumstances of the boycott, was a confidante of the Prophet of Allah and drank the bitter cup of persecutions at the hands of Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl and others, and burnt in the fire of confinement. He bore the difficulties alongside his Prophet and carried the burden of great hardships upon his shoulders while facing dangerous tasks. He was the one, who at night, would steal out in fear [1] from the valley and would go concealing to the noblemen of Quraysh, like Mut'em bin Adi and others, in compliance at the orders of Abu Talib, and would also carry the load of foodstuffs with a thousand fears and shivers upon his back for the Bani Hashim. And if the enemies like Abu Jahl would see him, they would have shed his blood. Verily Ali was the one who did thus during the days of boycott, or was it Abu Bakr?

Imam Ali, in his renowned sermon, explains his state at that time and says,

"They pledged together that they would not deal with us not enter into a wedlock. They kindled the fire of battle upon us and they drew us, the entire Bani Hashim, into a mountain of severity. Those who were believers among us desired reward (in lieu of assisting us) and the disbelievers were assisting their family. All the tribes of Quraysh gathered together to oppose them and withheld their sustenance from them. And they waited for them every morning and evening to succumb to hunger while there was no way for any redress or improvement. Their determination parted away and their desires died away".

Abu Ja'far Iskafi says, that there is no doubt that Abu Usman Jahiz has succumbed under the influence of falsehood and has traversed the road of error and treachery. Ultimately he became perplexed and understood nothing


Notes:

[1] Abu Ja'far Iskafi, in his above narration, has misinterpreted that, "Ali would steal out in fear from the valley .........". These words do not confirm to the invincible character of Imam Ali, whose invincible prowess is evident in Islamic history, quoted by both Shi'ah and Non-Shi'ah sources. In fact he often said, "By Allah! I do not fear whether I hasten towards death or death hastens towards me", these being the words of a dauntless warrior, being 'Approved' (Murtaza) by Allah. Verily the friends of Allah, no fear shall be upon them, nor do they grieve. (Surah al Yunus: 62).


292 until he said that what he said. And he assumed that Imam Ali did not face miseries and hardships before Migration, and that only after Migration, from the day of (the battle of) Badr, was he engulfed in severity and trials. He has very well forgotten the days of the boycott in the valley as to how Imam Ali faced severity while Abu Bakr was in comfort and tranquility. And he (Abu Bakr) could sit alongwith anyone whom he pleased and eat whatever he desired, while he was independent and contented. But Imam Ali was in the whirlpool of imprisonment and bore hunger and thirst. Every morning and evening he faced the risk of being killed, for it was he, who at the invitation of the noblemen and the wisemen of Quraysh, would go to acquire the food for them, until he would take care of the Prophet of Allah and the rest of Bani Hashim in the straightened circumstances of the imprisonment in the mountain. And it was very much
possible that the enemies of the Prophet of Allah would unsparingly make him a prey of their swords. And he could become a victim of Waleed bin Mugheerah, Utbah bin Rabi'ah and other Pharaohs and tyrants of Quraysh. He himself remained hungry and gave his own food to the Prophet of Allah, while he himself remained thirsty and gave away his share of water to the Prophet of Allah. It is he who nursed the Prophet during his illness and was his aide during his loneliness. While Abu Bakr was discharged from all these difficulties and he did not face their pain and hardships, infact he was unaware of their state, rather roughly. Dealing with them or marriages among them was banned for three years. They were imprisoned in the valley and could not step out and look after their affairs. Then how could (Abu Usman) Jahiz overlook this merit and neglect this privilege that was unparalleled.

"This being one of his numerous excellences, from which you can analyze other (excellences)".

Here the author quotes some couplets of Shaikh Azari.

I (the author), say, that Abu Ja'far Iskafi has truly said that Imam Ali nursed the Prophet during his illness. As Ibne Abil Hadeed relates from Salman Farsi that, I went to the presence of the Prophet on the morning preceding the day of his death. He said,

"Do not ask me as to how I passed the last night in pain and sleeplessness with Ali".

I asked, "O Prophet of Allah! Do permit that tonight I may bear the sleeplessness with you in place of Ali". The Prophet replied,

"No, rather he is more worthy than you for this task".

May my parents be your ransom O Ali!

Here the author quotes a couplet and another that of Safiyuddin Hilli.


293
Description of the valour of Hazrat Abbas
It should be noted that valour is a spiritual attribute and can be perceived by the intelligence and not through observation. It cannot be understood by itself but can be comprehended by beholding its influences. If one desires to know whether Zaid is a valorous man, then one should see him at the time when he is surrounded from all sides by the valorous, while death has shortened his time and he has fallen in the heat of the battle. Then if he turns restless, is frightful and trembles, and he flees and finds relief, and takes upon himself the disgrace of baseness and wears the armour of disgrace of flight facing the tail of the sword, then know, that he is far away from valour. But if he attacks forthwith and considers the voice of the (striking of the) sword to be that of a pleasant flute, and he hastens into the ranks of the combat as if he proceeds amidst pleasures, and enters the waves of dread with a relaxed heart and considers the embracing of the
swords to be a felicity and striking with the points of lances to be a profitable good-tidings. "He acclaims the lances with his neck as if it is an aloes wood of a sweet basil, while the sound of the (striking of the) sword near him is similar to the singing voice of women who sing for him". Then know that it is he who holds the reins of valour in his hands, and he wears valour that is the favourite of Allah. Then know as to what we have said regarding the combat of the companions of Imam Husain and that of his family, as we have quoted, then one would conclude that all of them possessed the highest status of valour and the lofty position of vigor except that Abbas b. Ali had the abundant share amongst them and a lofty and excessive position while all of them were the pickers of his harvest. He possessed a steadfast faith, profound foresight, and holds such a position near Allah that all the martyrs will envy him on the day of Qiyamah. And
why would not this be, when his father was none other than the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali.

Mas'oodi relates in Murujuz Zahab regarding the battle of Jamal, that the enemies attacked the right and left rank of Imam Ali and pushed them back. One of the sons of Aqeel came to Imam Ali while he had laid his head upon the cover of the saddle and was dozing off. He said, "O dear uncle! Do you see where our right and left ranks are, while you sleep?" Imam replied,

"O nephew! Remain silent! Your uncle has a destined day (of death) that cannot be avoided. By Allah! Your uncle does not fear whether he hastens towards death or death hastens towards him".

Then he commanded his son Mohammad bin Hanafiyah, who was his standard-bearer in the battle, to attack the Basran army. Mohammad showed slackness for he was facing a group of archers, he waited for them to exhaust their arrows. Imam Ali approached him and asked, "Why did you not


294 attack?" He replied, "There was no other way except proceeding while facing the arrows and lances, then I waited for them to exhaust their arrows so that I may then attack them". Imam replied,

"Then proceed in the midst of the arrows, for death is your armour".

Hearing this Mohammad attacked and was left in the midst of the points of the lances and the shooting arrows. Imam Ali came to him, and striking at him with the hilt of his sword, said, "The vein of your mother has desisted you". Then he took away the standard from him and attacked, while others attacked alongwith him, and the Basran army seemed similar to ashes that were blown away by the wind.

The above-referred Mohammad bin Hanafiyah is the son of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali. Thus Zuhri says that he was the most wise and valorous among men. While Jahiz says regarding him, that all unanimously agree that he was unparalleled and a true man in his age. He excelled all in perfection and excellence, while his valour is proved from that which the historians have quoted regarding the battle of Siffeen. And it is enough (proof) that he was the standard-bearer of Imam Ali. And inspite of this he showed slackness towards the archers (in the above incident) so that they would exhaust their arrows, but may my parents be ransom upon Abbas, the standard-bearer of his brother Imam Husain, the commander of his army, who advanced into the ranks of four thousand men employed to watch upon the Euphrates. And he stood firm like a mountain facing their archers he did not tremble nor did he fear, rather he said, "I do not fear
death even if it comes upon me".

As is related earlier that he (Hazrat Abbas) rescued some of the companions of Imam Husain when they were surrounded from all sides by the enemies. Then know that he acted as a shield for his brother Imam Husain. May my parents be your ransom O Abal Fazl!

Here the author quotes some couplets regarding the valour of Hazrat Abbas.[1]


Notes:

[1] Hazrat Abbas, the son of Imam Ali through his marriage with Ummul Baneen Fatemah al Kilabiyah was born on 4th Sha'ban 26 A.H. Since early childhood he was devoted to his respected father Imam Ali and elder brothers Imam Hasan and Imam Husain. He looked upon Imamayn Hasanayn as his masters rather than his elder brothers and considered himself as their wretched slave, as instructed by his mother, and was ever prepared to sacrifice his entirety for them. He, as well as his real brothers, thus accompanied Imam Husain to Karbala and remained attached to him until their martyrdom. Abbas could easily have accepted the proposal of security brought to him by Shimr, the accursed, and could thus have saved himself and lead a lavish life thereafter, but he refused to succumb to treachery and hypocrisy, and rather preferred to be martyred while striving in the path of Islam and the truth. He is often looked upon as only a
valorous and dauntless fighter, while the other prominent aspect of his life is often neglected which demonstrates his excellent conduct, unfaltering faith, absolute submission (to Allah and His Hujjat), unwavering forbearance, abiding piety, intense virtue, unparalleled wisdom, while in reality he combined in himself all the qualities of a perfect 'Slave of Allah'. His outstanding status can be validated from the traditions of Aimmah in his praise. He has been bestowed with numerous titles, which again portray his eminence, viz. Afzalush Shuhada, the Most Excellent among the Martyrs; Bab-al-Hawaej, the Door of (the fulfillment of) desires; Abdus Saleh, the Virtuous Slave (of Allah); Qamare Bani Hashim, the Moon of the Hashimites; Abul Qirbah, the father of the water skin; Al Saqqa, the water fetcher, Sahibe Liwa'il Husain, the Standard-bearer of Husain etc., while his Kuniyah (agnomen) is Abul Qasim and Abul Fazl. He married Lubabah, the
daughter of Ubaydullah bin Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib. The names of his children are quoted as Ubaydullah, Fazl, Hasan, Qasim, and a daughter, while it is related that two of his sons, viz. Fazl and Qasim were martyred in Karbala. Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, in his salutations, remembers Abbas in the following words: Peace be upon you O the Virtuous Slave (of Allah), who served Allah and his Prophet (s.a.w.s.), and the Commander of the faithful, and Hasan and Husain, may Allah's blessings be upon them all and His benedictions. Peace be upon you and Allah's Mercy and His blessings, and his forgiveness, and His Paradise upon your (blessed) spirit and (sacred) body. I bear witness, as also Allah, that you tread a path similar to the people of Badr and those striving in the way of Allah, as also the devout ones who struggle against His enemies, who strive to assist His friends, and defend His beloved ones. Thus may Allah reward you,
(with) an excellent reward, abundant reward, prudent reward, a reward similar to (the one bestowed by Him upon) those who fulfilled their allegiance to Him, and accepted His call, and served those Authorised by Him". Numerous books, dealing with his life and merits, have been authored by the Shi'ah scholars, for further study refer to: Al Abbas by Sayyed Abdul Razaq al Muqarram, A'alamun Nas fi Fazaelil Abbas by Sayyed Sa'eed Behbahani, Al Batalul Alqama by Shaikh Abdul Wahid al Muzaffar, Khasaesul Abbasiyah by Shaikh Mohammad Ibraheem Karbasi, Maqtalul Abbas by Sayyed Mahdi Tabatabai Yazdi, Tareekhe Zindaganiye Qamare Bani Hashim by Husain Imadzadeh etc. Thus he lived a fruitful life and died a felicitous death. Hazrat Abbas lies buried in a Magnificent Mausoleum at Karbala, Iraq, facing the Mausoleum of Imam Husain, perhaps yet shielding his Master. His Mausoleum is an asylum for those seeking fulfillment of their desires from Allah on his behalf, and a refuge for every destitute, oppressed and downtrodden. May our lives be your ransom O Abbas!

# Relating to the Martyrdom of Our Master Abu Abdullah Husain, and furthermore the Martyrdom of a suckling child and Abdullah bin Hasan

This is the section that causes the tears to flow, grills the heart, and scorches the liver of the believers! Complaint (against this tyranny) is to Allah and aid is requested from Him (alone)!

In some books of Martyrdom it is related that when Imam Husain saw that seventy-two persons among his friends and relatives had fallen down, he turned toward the tents of his family and called out, "O Sakinah! O Fatemah! O Umme Kulsum! My salutations be upon you all!" Hearing this Sakinah said, "O dear father! Have you resolved to die?" Imam replied, "How could the one, who is bereaved by his friends and helpers, not resolve to die?" Sakinah said, "O dear father! Then return us back to the sanctuary of our grandfather". Imam replied, "Alas! If a sand-grouse (a type of a bird) is released at night, it will sleep in peace". Hearing this, the women of his family started lamenting and Imam Husain consoled them.

It is related in the same book that Imam Husain then turned towards Umme Kulsum and said,

"I enjoin you towards goodness in matter of yourself. I am proceeding towards the battlefield in the midst of these enemies".

Hearing this Sakinah started lamenting while Imam loved her extremely. He pressed her to his chest and wiped her tears and said,

"Know O my dear Sakinah! Very soon you will have to weep after me when death will have surrounded me, then do not aggrieve me now with your tears until the spirit remains in my body. Then when I am killed, you are more worthy of weeping upon me, O the best of women!"

It is related from Imam Mohammad al Baqir, that when Imam Husain


297 resolved to be martyred, he called for his eldest daughter Fatemah. He then handed over to her a sealed envelope and an open testament. Imam Ali bin Husain (Zainul Abedeen) was ill at that moment, Fatemah later handed over the letter to Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen and from him it came down to us.

It is related in Ithbaat al-Wasiyyah of Mas'oodi, that Imam Husain called for Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen in his state of illness, and then handed over to him 'the Exalted Name' (of Allah) and the legacy of the Prophets. He told him that he had handed over the (esoteric) wisdom, texts, books and weapons to Ummu-Salamah and had advised her to hand over those things to him.

It is related in the same book that Khadijah, the daughter of Imam Jawad and sister of Imam Hadi says that Imam Husain apparently bequeathed to his sister Sayyedah Zainab, and during the days of (the Imamate of) Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen, the Knowledge of Ale Mohammad spread through her medium so as to conceal Imam Zainul Abedeen (from the enemies) and to safeguard his life.

Qutbuddin Rawandi in his Da'wat relates from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen, that on the tenth of Moharram, my father pressed me to his heart while blood was flowing through him, and he said, "O dear son! Memorize the supplication which Sayyedah Fatemah received from the Prophet of Allah, who in turn received from Jibra'eel and which was handed down to me, for it is beneficial for fulfillment of all desires, in important matters, anxieties, harsh circumstances and vital tasks. The supplication is as follows:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
بِحَقِّ يٰس وَ الْقُرْآنِ الْحَكِيْمِ وَ بِحَقِّ طٰهٰ وَ الْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيْمِ يَا مَنْ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى حَوَائِجِ السَّائِلِيْنَ يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِيْ الضَّمِيْرِ يَا مُنَفِّسًا عَنِ الْمَكرُوْبِيْنَ يَا مُفَرِّجًا عَنِ الْمَغْمُوْمِيْنَ يَا رَاحِمَ الشَّيْخِ الْكَبِيْرِ يَا مَنْ لاَ يَحْتَاجُ اِلَي التَّفْسِيْرِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHEEM
BEHAQQE YASEEN WAL QUR'ANIL HAKEEME, WA BEHAQQE TAHA WAL QUR'ANIL 'AZEEME, YA MAN YAQDERO 'ALA HAWA'EJIS SA'ELEENA, YA MAN YA'ALAMO MA FIZ ZAMEERE, YA MUNAFFESAN 'ANIL MAKRUBEENA, YA MUFARREJAN 'ANIL MAGMUMEENA, YA RAHEMASH SHAIKHIL KABEERE, YA RAZEQAT TIFLIS SAGEERE, YA MAN LA YAHTAJO ILAT TAFSEERE, SALLE 'ALA MOHAMMADIW WA ALE MOHAMMAD.

We (the Author) say, that another supplication of Imam Husain is quoted on the morning of the tenth, while a third one narrated from him on the same


298 day and which has been quoted by Shaikhut Taifa (Toosi) in the supplications of the third of Sha'ban wherein he says: Then recite the supplication of Imam Husain on the day of Kausar (referred to the tenth of Moharram).

It is related by Kaf'ami that the last supplication of Imam Husain on the day of Ashura is…(until the end)

It is related in Biharal Anwar, after quoting the martyrdom of an infant child who had come out of the tent, that Imam Husain turned towards the right and did not find anyone. He then turned towards the left and saw none, Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen, who did not even have the strength to lift up a sword (due to ailment), came out. Umme Kulsum followed him calling out, "O dear son, return back". He replied, "O dear Aunt! Leave me so that I may strive for the son of the Prophet of Allah". Imam Husain saw him and said, "O Umme Kulsum! Stop him, lest the world may turn vacant of the descendants of Mohammad".

Martyrdom of the suckling child (Abdullah, Ali al Asghar)
His mother was Rabab, the daughter of Imru al Qays bin Adi, and her mother was Hind al Hanood. Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says that when Imam Husain saw the corpses of his youth and friends, he resolved to be martyred, and called out,

"Is there anyone who could defend the family of the Prophet of Allah? Is there any monotheist who would fear Allah in respect of us? Is there any aide who could come to assist us for the sake of Allah? Is there anyone who could rush to our aid in lieu of reward from Allah?"

The voice of lamenting of the ladies arose and Imam came to the door of the tent and called for Zainab saying, "Give me my infant child so that I may bid him farewell". Then he took him in his arms and bent to kiss his lips. Hurmala bin Kahil Asadi shot at arrow at the child, which pierced his neck and severed his head. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him and may Allah's curse be upon his murderer) A Poet says regarding this, "And the one who bent to kiss his child, but the arrow preceded him in kissing his neck". Then he called out to Sayyedah Zainab to take him back. He filled his palm with the child's blood and threw it towards the heavens saying, "Every hardship is easy upon me when Allah is the Beholder".

Shaikh Mufeed says regarding the suckling child that Imam Husain sat in front of the tent while Abdullah, who was an infant, was brought to him. A man from the Bani Asad killed him by shooting an arrow at him.

Azdi says that Aqabah bin Basheer Asadi relates from Imam Mohammad al Baqir that he told me, "O Bani Asad! We hold a liability of blood among you". I asked, "O Aba Ja'far! What sin do I share in it? And which is that


299 blood?" Imam replied,

"A child was brought to Imam Husain, who held him in his lap, one person from among you, the Bani Asad, shot an arrow at him and severed his head. Imam gathered his blood and when both of his palms became full of the blood, he sprinkled it upon the earth and said, 'Almighty Allah! If You have withheld assistance from the heavens, then bestow upon us that which is better, and take our revenge from these evil-doers'."

Sibt Ibne Jawzee relates in his Tazkirah from Hisham bin Mohammad Kalbi, that when Imam Husain saw them persistent on killing him, he brought the Qur'an and opening it placed it upon his head, and called out,

"The Qur'an and my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah, are the judge between yourselves and me. O people! How do you consider the shedding of my blood to be lawful? Am I not the grandson of your Prophet? Has not the tradition of my grandfather reached you regarding me and my brother that we are the Masters of the youth of Paradise? Then ask Jabir (bin Abdullah Ansari), Zaid bin Arqam and Abu Sa'eed Khudri. Is not Ja'far at Tayyar my uncle?"

Shimr replied, "You shall shortly hasten towards 'the raging fire' (of hell) (Allah's refuge)". Imam said,

"Allah is great! My grandfather the Prophet of Allah informed me, that he saw a dog filling his throat with the blood of his Ahlulbayt, and I perceive that it is none other than you".

Shimr replied, "I shall worship Allah by the tongue only, if I understand what you speak". Imam Husain turned his face and saw his infant weeping due to thirst. He took him in his lap and said, "O people! If you do not pity me, atleast pity this young one". A man shot an arrow at the child and severed his neck. Imam wept and said, "O Allah! Be a judge between us and those who invited us, having promised assistance, and in return killed us". A voice came from the heavens calling out to him, "Leave him O Husain! For he has a maid awaiting to nurse him in Paradise". Then Haseen bin Tameem shot an arrow at his lips and blood flowed from it. Imam wept and then said, "O Allah! I complain to You regarding how they have faired with me, my brothers, my sons and my family".

Ibne Nima says that then he lifted up the child and placed him among the martyrs of his family.

Mohammad bin Talha quotes in his Matalibus Su'ool from the book Futooh, that Imam Husain had an infant child. An arrow was shot at him that killed him, and then Imam dug a grave with his sword for him and reciting Prayers upon him, buried him. Then he quotes an elegy.

It is stated in Ehtijaj, that when Imam Husain was left alone and none


300 remained with him except his son Ali Zainul Abedeen and a suckling child named Abdullah. He lifted up the child to bid farewell, when an arrow came and pierced the neck killing him. Imam dismounted from his horse and dug a grave with the sheath of his sword, then he buried the child under the sand drenched in his blood, he then leapt from his place, arose and recited elegies. The writers of Martyrdom, as well as the author of Ehtijaj say, that then Imam mounted his horse and went for the battle while saying:

"The nation has disbelieved and have turned their face away from the reward of the Lord of the worlds; the nation killed Ali and his son Hasan, the excellent, the son of esteemed parents; they were filled with hatred and rancor and called upon people and gathered to fight Husain; Woe be to the ignoble nation that assembled groups to fight the people of the 'Two Sacred Sanctuaries'; thus they left while inviting others towards obedience of the apostates; opposing Allah to shed my blood, for the sake of Ubaydullah from the progeny of the polytheists; and the son of Sa'ad has killed me aggressively with the help of an army similar to torrential rains; and all this was not in restitution of any crime committed before me, except that my pride are the two stars, Ali who was the best after the Prophet, and the Prophet who was the son of Quraishite parents; my father is the best among men and I am the son of the two best ones, the silver which has emerged from
gold, I am the silver the son of the two golden ones; then is the grandfather of anyone among men similar to my grandfather, or their father similar to my father; then I am the son of the two best ones, my mother is Fatemah az Zahra and my father is the one who fractured the back of the polytheists in (the battles of) Badr and Hunain, and who worshipped the Lord since childhood when the Quraysh worshipped the two idols and worshipped the Lat and Uzza together; and my father is the one who offered prayers while facing the two Qiblahs, then my father is the sun and my mother a moon, while I am a star, the son of the two moons; and he (Ali) displayed such wonders on the day of Uhad, that warded off envy, by splitting the two armies, as also in the (battle of) Ahzab and Fathe Makkah in which death was the word of the day for both the armies, and all this was performed in the way of Allah; but how has the debased nation dealt with the two children, the
progeny of the righteous Prophet Mustafa and of Ali, similar to red roses, on the day of striking of the two armies".

Then he stood facing the army with his sword unsheathed, renouncing life and heart resolved to die. And he was saying,

"I am the son of Ali the chaste from the progeny of Hashim, and this grace is enough for me whenever I pride, my grandfather is the Prophet of Allah the most eminent among all, we are the lanterns of Allah among the creatures, and my mother is Fatemah Zahra, the daughter of Ahmed


301,and my uncle Ja'far is known as the possessor of two wings, and among us is the Book of Allah and has been revealed in truth, and in us lies lawfulness and the revelation proclaimed with goodness, and we are the trusts of Allah among all men, while we declare this in secret and in the open that we possess authority upon the spring (of Kausar) and we shall feed our followers with the cup of the Prophet, which cannot be denied, and our followers are the eminent among followers, while the one who bears animosity towards us shall be doomed on the day of Qiyamah".

Mohammad bin Abu Talib says that Abu Ali Salami relates in his history, that this elegy is composed by Imam Husain himself and there is no other elegy similar to it.

"Although this world is considered to be pleasant, the reward of Allah is magnificent and meritorious; and if the body is created for death, then martyrdom in the way of Allah is the best for man; and if sustenance is distributed and assured, then man should not strive hard to seek it; and if the gathering of this wealth will result in leaving behind, then why should man be avaricious".

Then he called the army for combat and whoever came close to him, he would be killed instantly until he piled up the corpses. Then he attacked the right wing of the army and said,

"Death is better than perpetration for humiliation, while humiliation is better than entering the fire of hell".

Then he attacked the left wing of the army and said,

"I am Husain the son of Ali, I have sworn not to run away from the enemy, and defend the household of my father, until I die on the Religion of the Prophet".

It has been related by some narrators that, "By Allah! I have not seen a more valorous man similar to him, who is broken by the death of his son, household and friends. The warriors initiated the attack upon him and he responded to their attack similarly. And he scattered them, similar to a wolf that enters the ranks of the sheep, and routed them and scattered them. He attacked the well-equipped army of thirty thousand and they scattered like locusts in front of him. Then he returned to his place and said,



"There is no Might and no Power except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great".

It is related in Ithbaat al-Wasiyyah, that he killed one thousand and eight hundred warriors with his own hands.

It is quoted in Bihaar al-Anwaar, that it is related by Ibne Shahr Ashob and Mohammad bin Abi Talib that he attacked continuously until he had killed one thousand nine hundred and fifty men, excluding the wounded ones. Umar


302 bin Sa'ad called out to his army, "Woe be to you! Do you know with whom you fight? He is the son of a pot-bellied one. (Here he desires ridiculing Imam Ali, Allah's refuge). He is the son of the assassin of the Arabs. Attack him from all sides". Four thousand archers surrounded him and blocked his way to the tents.

Mohammad bin Abi Talib, Ibne Shahr Ashob and Sayyed Ibne Tawoos say, that Imam Husain then said,

"Woe be to you O followers of the family of Abu Sufyan! Then if you are irreligious men and do not fear the day of Qiyamah, atleast be noblemen and come to your senses if you be from the progeny of Arabs".

Shimr said, "O son of Fatemah! What do you mean?" Imam replied,

"I say that we should fight with one another, while the ladies have not erred. Lift your hands off plundering my household until I am alive".

Shimr said, "Verily right is with you". Then he called out, "Return from the tents and make him your target while he is a merciful match". Then the entire army turned towards him and Imam Husain asked for water. And whenever he tried to go towards the Euphratus, the army would attack him and turn him away from the river.

Ibne Shahr Ashob says that Abu Makhnaf relates from Jaludi, that Imam Husain attacked A'awar Salami and Amr bin Hajjaj Zubaydi, who were deputed with four thousand men to guard the bank of the Euphratus. Then he entered his horse into the river and when the horse put his mouth into the water to drink it, Imam said,

"O my horse! You are thirsty as also myself, and until you do not drink I shall not quench my thirst". When the horse heard these words of the Imam, he lifted his head up and did not partake of the water as if he understood what the Imam said. Imam said, "I shall drink and you too drink". He extended his hand and filled his palm with water, when a person from the army called out, "O Aba Abdillah! You are pleasantly drinking water while your tents are being plundered?" Hearing this, the Imam threw away the water and lay siege while splitting the army and found his tents to be safe".

Allamah Majlisi in his Jilaul Uyoon says that then again he bade farewell to his household and enjoined them with forbearance, and promised them reward and recompense, then said,

"Wear your veils and prepare to face trials, and know that Allah is your protector and support and will deliver you from the evil of the enemies and will make excellent your conclusion. His wrath will engulf your enemies in different trials and He will bestow upon you distinct blessings and wonders in lieu of these trials. Do not complain and do not utter such things which would lessen your status".


303
It is stated in Bihaar al-Anwaar that Abul Faraj says that Imam Husain went towards the river and Shimr said, "You shall not go towards the river, rather you shall go towards the fire" (Allah's refuge). A man called out to him, "O Husain! Do you not see the Euphratus waving similar to the bellies of the fishes? By Allah! You shall not taste of it until you perish due to thirst". Imam said, "O Lord! Kill him due to thirst". The narrator says that the (same) man would say, "Give me water to drink". Water would be handed over to him and he would partake of it and vomit it. Then again, he would say, "Give me water to drink, for thirst kills me." This went on and on until he died. (May Allah's curse be upon him)

A man named Abu Hatoof shot an arrow at Imam Husain that pierced his forehead. He pulled it out and blood flowed upon his face and beard. Then he said,

"O Lord! Do You see what I have to face at the hands of these evil men? O Lord! Diminish their number and kill them until the last one. And do not leave anyone among them upon the earth, nor forgive them".

Then he attacked them similar to a ferocious Lion, and there was none who would reach him, except that he would split open his belly and kill him. They shot arrows at him from all sides and he took them upon his chest and neck and said,

"How badly have you treated the Progeny of Mohammad after him. After killing me you shall not fear killing any of the servants of Allah, and killing me would make their slaughter easy upon you. I desire from Allah that in exchange of this humiliation of yours he may bestow martyrdom upon me, and then seek my revenge upon you through means that you have never ever thought of".

Hearing this Haseen bin Malik Sakuni said, "O son of Fatemah! How shall Allah take your revenge from us?" Imam replied, "He shall engulf you in wars and shed your blood, then a fierce punishment shall befall you". Then he fought until he was inflicted with enormous wounds. Ibne Shahr Ashob and Sayyed ibne Tawoos numbers them to be seventy-two.

Ibne Shahr Ashob relates from Abu Makhnaf, who relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq that,

"The body of Imam Husain was inflicted with thirty three wounds of the lance and thirty four cuts of the sword".

Imam Mohammad al Baqir says that Imam Husain was inflicted with three hundred twenty plus wounds of lances, cuts of swords and injuries by arrows.


304
In another narration it is stated that the number of wounds were three hundred and sixty. While still in another three hundred and three wounds, and it is also said that the wounds numbered one thousand three hundred. The arrows were pierced in his armour similar to the thorns on the body of a porcupine. And it is also related that all the wounds of his body were upon his front side only.

It is related that (excessive) fighting had tired Imam Husain and he paused for sometime to rest. At that moment a stone was flung at his forehead and he lifted the front part of his dress to clean it (the blood), when a poisoned three-pronged arrow came towards him piercing his chest. In some narratives, it is stated that it pierced his heart and he said, "In the name of Allah! And by Allah! And upon the custom of the Prophet of Allah"! Then he lifted his head towards the heavens and said, "O Lord! You know that they have resolved to kill the one besides whom there is no other son of the Prophet upon this earth". Then he pulled the arrow from his back (or chest) and blood started flowing down similar to a groove. He filled his palms with it and threw it towards the heaven, and not a single drop of it fell back. The redness in the heavens was not seen before Imam Husain did so. Then he filled his other palm with it and wiped it on
his head and beard saying, "I desire to meet my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah, dyed with this blood of mine. And I will say: O Prophet of Allah! Such and such persons killed me".

Shaikh Mufeed, after quoting the mounting upon the horse of Imam Husain and going to the bank of the Euphratus and martyrdom of his brother Abbas says, that when Imam Husain returned from the Euphratus towards his tents, Shimr bin Ziljawshan, accompanied with a group of his accomplices, came to him and surrounded him from all sides. A man named Malik bin Bishr Kindi stepped ahead and started abusing Imam Husain and struck at his head with his sword. It cut the night-cap which he had worn and reached his head while blood started pouring forth filling the night-cap. Imam Husain said, "You shall never eat or drink again with this hand of yours' and you shall arise (on the day of Qiyamah) alongwith the oppressors". He removed the cap from his head and asked for a kerchief and tied his head with it. Then he wore another cap and fastened a turban upon it.

We (the Author) say, that Tabari too quotes similarly but says that he wore a burnoose instead of a nightcap, and further says that Imam Husain was exhausted when a man from Kinda (Malik bin Bishr) stepped forward and seized the burnooze from his head, which was made of fur. He brought the burnoose to his wife Umme Abdullah, the daughter of Al-Hurr and sister of Husain bin Al-Hurr Badi. When he tried to wash the blood from it, his wife perceived that it was of Imam Husain and she said, "You have brought the stolen cloth of the grandson of the Prophet of Allah into my


305 house? Get away with it from here". His friends say that he remained indigent until he died.

Tabari says that Abu Makhnaf relates, that Shimr gathered ten Kufan foot soldiers and proceeded towards the tents of the ladies of Imam Husain and stood between the Imam and his household. Imam Husain said, "Woe be to you! Then if you are irreligious men and do not fear the day of returning (Qiyamah), atleast be free-minded in the world of yours and be noblemen. Keep your scoundrels and stupid men away from my household". Shimr said, "O son of Fatemah! Verily right is with you". Then he proceeded towards Imam Husain with his group of lackeys which included Abul Junub Abdul Rahman Ju'fi, Qash'am bin Amr bin Yazeed Ju'fi, Saleh bin Wahab Yazbee, Sinan bin Anas Nakha'i and Khawli bin Yazeed Asbahi. Shimr incited them to kill Imam Husain. He told Abul Junub, who was well equipped with arms, "Proceed further", and he said, "Why don't you proceed further?" Shimr replied, "Do you back-answer me?" And he said, "Then do you order me?" They
started abusing one another, and Abul Junub, who was a valorous man, said, "By Allah! How I wish to thrust this spear into your eye". Shimr lifted his hands off him and said, "By Allah! I wish I could strike at you with the sword".

It is related that Shimr, accompanied by the foot soldiers, turned towards Imam Husain and he attacked them and scattered them. Then they surrounded him with severity when a child ran towards Imam Husain from the tents of the household. Imam called out to his sister Sayyedah Zainab saying, "Take care of him". The child did not pay heed and ran until he reached Imam and stood at his side. Shaikh Mufeed identifies him as being Abdullah bin (Imam) Hasan. The child said, "By Allah! I shall not part from my uncle".

(Tabari) Bahr bin Ka'ab struck at Imam Husain with his sword and the child said, "Woe be to you O son of ill-natured man! Do you intend killing my uncle?" The accursed struck at him with his sword, which the child took upon his hands, and cut it till the flesh, while it hung. The child cried, "O mother! Come to my aid". Imam took him in his fold and said, "O nephew! Forbear upon this trial and consider it to be blessing for you. You shall unite with your virtuous fathers the Prophet of Allah, (Imam) Ali bin Abi Talib, Hamza, Ja'far (at Tayyar) and (Imam) Hasan bin Ali". Then he lifted his hands for prayers and said, "O Lord! Hold back the rains of the heavens and the abundance of the earth from them. O Lord! Then if you give them some more life, then dispel them, and take Thou among them, then make the rulers to be ever displeased with them. For they invited us to render assistance and then rebelled against us and
killed us".


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(Malhoof) Sayyed ibne Tawoos says that Hurmalah shot an arrow at him (Abdullah bin Hasan) and killed him and he was in the arms of his uncle Imam Husain. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him)

Ibne Abd Rabbah in his Iqdul Fareed says that the sight of a Syrian man fell upon Abdullah bin Hasan bin Ali, who was handsome among men, and he said, "I desire to kill this youth". A man told him, "Woe be to you! Lift your hands off him". He did not pay any heed and struck at him with his sword and killed him. When the sword reached him, he cried out, "O uncle! Come to my aid". Imam replied, "Here I am! This is a voice of the one who possesses less companions and abundant murderers". Imam attacked his murderer while severing his hand and with another stroke killed him. I (the author) say, that Ibne Abd Rabbah has clearly committed error and has identified Abdullah bin Hasan instead of Qasim bin Hasan (whose martyrdom has already been discussed).

Tabari says that Imam Husain then attacked the foot soldiers and pushed them away from him.

Shaikh Mufeed says that the foot soldiers attacked the companions of Imam Husain from the left and right sides and killed them until three to four men remained with him.

Tabari and (Ibne Aseer) Jazari quote similarly and say, that when Imam Husain was left with three or four men, he called for a long fringed shirt that dazzled the eyes. It was of Yemeni origin and minutely stitched. He tore it from some sides so that it could not be removed off his body. One of his companions said, "I wish you wore breeches underneath your clothes". Imam replied, "It is a garment of disgrace, and wearing it is not befitting me". It is said that when he was killed, Bahr bin Ka'ab robbed the shirt away from his body leaving it bare.

Azdi says that Amr bin Shu'ayb relates from Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman, that both the hands of Bahr bin Ka'ab would ooze out pus in the winters and in the summers it would turn dry similar to wooden sticks.

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says that Imam Husain said, "Bring me a garment which I may wear below my dress so thatthey may not bare me". Breeches were brought for him, and he said, "This is the dress of the disgraceful ones". Then he called for a worn-out shirt, and tearing it, wore it below his dress. When he was martyred, it was removed off his body.

Shaikh Mufeed says that when only three men remained with Imam Husain, he turned towards the enemies while the three men defended him and warded off the army away from him until they were martyred and Imam was left alone. He was wounded upon the head and body, he then attacked them


307 from the left and right side and scattered them.

Hameed bin Muslim says that, "By Allah! I have not seen a shattered person more valorous than him whose sons, family and friends have been killed yet his heart being invincible. The foot-soldiers attacked him and he faced them similar to a wolf who attacks the sheep and scatters them to the right and left". When Shimr saw this, he called for the cavalry and stationed them behind the frontline of the foot soldiers. Then he commanded the archers to shoot their arrows at him. And such number of arrows pierced his body that it looked similar to a porcupine, then he lifted his hands off them and they came and stood facing him.

Zainab came to the door of the tents and called out to Umar bin Sa'ad, "Woe be to you O Umar (bin Sa'ad)! Abu Abdullah is being killed why you behold?" He did not reply and she said, "Woe be to you! Is there not a Muslim amongst you?" But again none replied.

Tabari says that Umar bin Sa'ad neared Imam Husain, and Zainab said, "O Umar bin Sa'ad! Abu Abdullah is being killed while you behold?" The narrator says that it is as if I see tears flowing upon his cheeks and beard while he turned his face away from Zainab.

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says that when Imam Husain was exhausted by numerous wounds and he looked similar to a Porcupine, Saleh bin Wahab Yaznee thrust a lance at his flank and he fell on his left cheek upon the ground from the Horse's back. Then he said, "In the name of Allah! And by Allah! And upon the Creed of the Prophet of Allah"! Then he stood up.

The narrator says that Sayyedah Zainab came out of the door of the tent calling out, "O my brother! O my Master! O my family! I wish the heavens would fall upon the earth and I wish the mountains would scatter upon the desert".

It is related that Shimr called out to his companions, "Why are you waiting for this man?" Then they attacked him from all sides.

Hameed bin Muslim says that Imam Husain had worn a fur cloak and a turban upon his head, while his hair was dyed with Wasmah. I heard him say, before he was martyred, when he was on foot but fought as if he was mounted, and defended himself from the arrows, while the cavalry were splitted from all sides and he attacked them with sword,

"You conspire together against me? By Allah! After me you shall not kill anyone else by whose murder Allah would have been more wrathful towards you. By Allah! I desire that Allah cherish me in lieu of this contempt of yours'. And He may take my revenge from you through means of which you are unaware. Beware! By Allah! If you kill me, Allah too shall kill you and shed your blood. Then He shall not lift His Hands off you until He doubles


308 the grievous punishment".

It is related that he remained alive for a lengthy period of time that day, and if the army had desired they would have killed him. But they considered one another for it, and each group desired that the other would kill him. Shimr called out in their midst, "What do you have to wait for? Kill this man, may your mothers mourn upon you". Thus they attacked him from all sides.

Shaikh Mufeed says that Zar'ah bin Shareek severed his left arm and struck at his shoulder with his sword and he fell down upon his face.

Tabari says that then they retreated back and he was in a very bad state and he would rise and fall. At this moment Sinan bin Anas bin Amr Nakha'i hit him with a lance and threw him upon the ground.

Shaikh Mufeed and Tabarsi say, that Khawli bin al-Aasbahi came forward hastily and alighted from his horse to severe his head, but he trembled. Shimr said, "May Allah break your hands! Why do you tremble?" Then he alighted from the horse and beheaded him.

Abul Abbas Ahmed bin Yusuf Damishqi Qirmani, who died in the year 1019 A.H., says in Akhbarul Dawl, that thirst became intense upon Imam Husain and they did not give him water to drink. A cup of water came to his hand and when he bent to drink it, Haseen bin Nameer shot an arrow at him, which pierced his chin, and the cup became full of blood. He then lifted his hands towards the heavens and said, "O Allah! Lessen their quantity, kill each one of them, and do not spare a single one from among them upon the earth". Then they attacked him from all sides and he flaunted upon them from the left and right side until Zar'ah bin Shareek struck at his left hand with the sword and entered another into his shoulder. Then Sinan bin Anas thrust a lance into his body throwing him down. Shimr then alighted from his horse and beheaded him and handed it over to Khawli Asbahi. Then they looted his clothes.[1]

I (the author), say, that it is related in the narrative by Sayyed Ibne Tawoos, Ibne Nima, Shaikh Sadooq, Tabari, (Ibne Aseer) Jazari, Ibne Abdul Birr, Mas'oodi and Abul Faraj, that Sinan (bin Anas), the accursed, beheaded him.

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says that Sinan came forward and said, "Although I know that he is the grandson of the Prophet of Allah and his parents are the best among humans, I shall behead him". Then he struck at his blessed neck with his sword and severed his sacred and honorable head.


Notes:

[1] Daynoori says that Imam Husain was thirsty and asked for a cup of water, and when he lifted it up unto his lips, Haseen bin Nameer shot an arrow at his mouth and he could not drink it. Then he kept the cup upon the ground.


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A poet says regarding it: "And what other disaster can be greater than that of Husain, when the hands of Sinan were killing him".

Abu Tahir Mohammad bin Hasan (or Husain) Barasi (or Narasi) says in Ma'alimud Deen, that Imam Ja'far as Sadiq said, that when Imam Husain's matter reached this stage, the Angels started lamenting in the Audience of Allah and said, "O Lord! This Husain is Your guest, he is the grandson of Your Prophet". Then Allah created an image of Imam al Qaem (a.t.f.s.) and said, "I shall seek revenge from them through his medium".

It is related, that Mukhtar arrested Sinan and severed each of his fingers one after the other. Then he cut off his hands and feet and flung him into a large vessel in which olive oil was boiling hot.

The narrator says that at the moment when they beheaded Imam Husain, a violent and dark hurricane erupted engulfing the entire horizon into darkness. Then a red storm blew and nothing could be seen, while the army presumed that the curse of Allah had descended. This continued for an hour and then ceased.

Hilal bin Nafe' says that I was standing alongwith the companions of Umar bin Sa'ad and someone called out, "O commander! Have glad tidings that Shimr has killed Husain". I then went to the spot of his martyrdom and stood at his side and he was dying. By Allah! I have never seen a better corpse drenched in blood than his, and a face more illuminated than his. While the light of his countenance and his formidable beauty made me forget his death. In this state he asked for water, and a man said to him, "By Allah! You shall not partake it until you enter 'the raging fire' (of hell)" (Allah's Refuge). I heard Imam say, "Woe be to you! I am not proceeding towards 'the raging fire', nor shall I taste 'the boiling water' therein. Rather I am going to the presence of my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah, and I shall be residing in his place of the truthful residue in the shelter of Allah, the Almighty. And I shall drink of the pure water, and then I
shall complain to him regarding what you did to me". Hearing this all of them became enraged, as if they had no mercy in their hearts, and in this very state, while he was speaking to them, they beheaded him. I was astonished at their ruthlessness, and said, "I shall never ever accompany you in any task from now on".

Kamaluddin Mohammad bin Talha says in his Matalibus Su'ool, that the head of the grandson and the beloved of the Prophet of Allah was severed with a sharp sword. Then they raised his head upon the lance as is done with the apostates, and they paraded it in the midst of the slaves of Allah in the cities. And they lead his family and children in a state of disrespect, and mounted them upon the shaft of the Camel without saddle or seat, inspite of knowing that they were the Progeny of the Prophet, while their love was


310 incumbent as specified by the Qur'an and the true faith. If the heavens and earth would have the power to speak, they would have bemoaned and lamented upon them. And if the disbelievers had been aware of it, they would have wept upon them and lamented. While if the obstinate ones of the age of ignorance would have been present, they too would have wept upon them and would have condoled one another upon their martyrdom. And if the oppressive tyrants had been present at the episode of his martyrdom, they would have assisted and aided him. Woe be upon this catastrophe which has afflicted the hearts of the God-fearing and remained as an inheritance for them! Woe be upon the calamity which has grieved the hearts of the believers and pained those who shall come in the future! Alas upon the Progeny of the Prophet, whose blood was shed, and upon the family of Mohammad whose swords had decelerated, and Alas upon the Alawites who were left deprived
of aide and their masters being killed! Alas upon the Hashimites, whose sanctity was violated, and shedding of whose blood was considered lawful!

It is related in Nawadir from Ali bin al-Aasbat, who relates from some of his companions, that Imam Mohammad al Baqir said, that on the tenth of Moharram, my father (Imam Zainul Abedeen) was very ill and was inside the tent. I saw my friends walking to and fro alongwith Imam Husain and bringing water for him. Once he attacked the right wing of the army and then the left wing, while once the central part. They killed him in a manner that the Prophet had prohibited them to slaughter an animal. They killed him with swords, lances, stones, sticks and batons. Then they trampled his body by the horse's hooves.

I (the author), say, that Imam Husain was martyred on Friday, the tenth of Moharram, sixty first year of the Migration (Hijrah) after the Prayer of Zuhr. He was fifty-seven years of age. In another narration it is related, that he was martyred on Saturday or Monday, but the more accurate one seems to be Friday.

Abul Faraj (Isfahani) says that what has been related by the Ammah (Non-Shi'ah) regarding the day of Monday is an error and is not supported by any narration. This is so because the first day of Moharram, the month in which the martyrdom occurred, according to the conclusion from all astronomical deductions by the procedure of Indian calculations, fell on Wednesday, hence the tenth cannot be on Monday (but on Friday). And this itself is an evidence for truth that confirms the narration.

Shaikh Mufeed, in context of the martyrdom of Imam Husain on the tenth of Moharram says that at the dawn of Friday, while some others say Saturday, Umar bin Sa'ad (mobilised his forces), and according to the


311 previous report it is evident that it was Friday. And in context of his entering Karbala, Shaikh Mufeed says that then he came forward, and that was on Thursday, the second of the month of Moharram, sixty first year of Migration (Hijrah).

It is narrated in the Tazkirah of Sibt Ibne Jawzee, that he (Imam Husain) was martyred on Friday, in between the Prayers of Zuhr and Asr, for he had recited the Salatul Khawf alongwith his companions, while some say that it was Saturday, which we have already discussed.

In the same book it is mentioned, that there are numerous reports regarding his murderer. Hisham bin Mohammad (Kalbi) says that it was Sinan bin Anas Nakha'i, the other one who is named is Haseen bin Nameer, who shot an arrow at him and came forward and beheaded him. Then he hung it in the neck of his horse so as to be endeared by (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad. The third name being that of Muhajir bin Aws Tamimi, the fourth one Kaseer bin Abdullah Sha'abi, the fifth Shimr bin Ziljawshan. We say that the sixth one who is named is Khawli bin Yazeed Asbahi. (Allah's curse be upon all the murderers of Imam Husain).

Mohammad bin Talha Shafe'i and Ali bin Isa Irbili Imami say, that Umar bin Sa'ad ordered his companions saying, "Come forward and behead him". Nasr bin Harshah Zababi came forward and repeatedly struck at the neck of Imam Husain. Umar bin Sa'ad was enraged and signaling to a man standing on his right side, said, "Woe be to you! Go forward and relieve Husain". Khawli bin Yazeed, May Allah enter him in the fire of hell eternally, came forward and beheaded him.

Daynoori says that Sinan bin Aws Nakha'i thrust a lance at him and threw him down, and then Khawli bin Yazeed Asbahi stepped forward to behead him. His hands trembled and his brother, Shabal bin Yazeed beheaded him and gave it to his brother Khawli.

Ibne Abd Rabbah says that Sinan bin Anas killed him and Khawli bin Yazeed Asbahi, who was from the clan of Hameer, ended his life by beheading him. He took his head to Ubaydullah and said, "Fill my stirrup with abundant wealth… (as will be quoted later).

It is related from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that when a stroke was dealt upon Imam Husain, he fell off his horse and they ran to behead him. A voice sounded from the heavens "O the nation which has become obstinate and turned astray after the passing away of their Prophet! May Allah not bestow upon you the grace of fasting and the (Eid of) Fitr". Then he said, "Therefore by Allah! They have not prospered nor shall they thrive until the seeker of revenge (Imam Mahdi) for Imam Husain rises".


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Ibne Qawlawayh Qummi relates from Halabi, who in turn relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that when Imam Husain was martyred, someone called out in the Kufan army. When he was reprimanded for it, he said, "Why should I not cry when I see the Prophet of Allah standing, at one time he looks at the earth and another time at your battle, and I fear lest he imprecate upon the dwellers of the earth and you would be damned". The Kufan army said, "He is insane", while the 'repentants' among them said, "By Allah! What have we done to ourselves? We killed the Master of the youth of Paradise for the sake of the son of Sumayyah". Then they revolted against Ubaydullah and their situation reached such as aught to be. The narrator says that I asked them, "May I be your ransom! Who was the caller?" They replied, "We presume it was Jibra'eel".

In the narration of Mashhadi it is related that Salmah went to the presence of Ummu-Salamah while she was weeping. He asked, "What makes you weep?" She replied, "I saw the Prophet of Allah in a dream and his head and beard were smeared with dust. I asked: O Prophet of Allah! What has happened to you that you are smeared in dust? He replied: Just now I have witnessed the murder of my Husain".

It is related in Sawaeqe Muhriqa of Ibne Hajar, that one of the signs that appeared on the day of the martyrdom of Imam Husain, was that the heaven turned dark so much so that the stars were visible during the daytime. And whichever stone was lifted up, fresh blood was found beneath it. And it is also said, that the heavens turned red due to his martyrdom and the sun pitch-black. The stars became visible during the daytime, while the men presumed that the (day of) resurrection had arrived. And on that day whichever stone was lifted up in Syria, fresh blood appeared beneath it.

# Relating To The Incidents After The Martyrdom

After Martyrdom

The narrator says that after the martyrdom of Imam Husain, they looted his clothes. His shirt was taken away by Ishaq bin Haywah Hazramee, who when he wore it, became inflicted with leprosy and his hair fell off.

It is related, that his shirt bore marks of a hundred and some arrows, lances, and strokes of swords.

Imam Ja'far as Sadiq says that there were thirty-three wounds of the lances and thirty-four cuts of swords upon the body of Imam Husain. His trousers were taken away by Bahr bin Ka'ab Tamimi and it is related that he became bed-ridden and his legs turned paralytic. His turban was snatched away by Akhnas bin Mursid Hazramee who wore it upon his head and turned blind. His sandals were nabbed away by Aswad bin Khalid, while his ring by Bajdul bin Saleem Kalbi who snatched it by severing his finger. (May Allah's curse be upon all of them). When Mukhtar arrested him (Bajdul), he severed his hands and legs; he wallowed in his blood until he died. Imam possessed a bathing-gown of fur that was looted by Qays bin al-Aash'as. His armour was taken by Umar bin Sa'ad, and when he was killed, Mukhtar presented it to his killer Abi Umroh. His sword was plundered by Jamee' bin Khalq Awdee, while it is also narrated that a Tamimite man named Aswad bin
Hanzalah or Falafis Munshali took it. While this swift sword was other than the exclusive Zulfiqar, which was among the trusts of Prophethood and Imamate, as also his unique ring, were in the safe custody of his family.

Shaikh Sadooq relates from Mohammad bin Muslim, that Imam Ja'far as Sadiq was questioned regarding the ring of Imam Husain as to who got it when it is said that his clothes were looted? Imam replied, "It is not so as is said. Imam Husain bequeathed to his son Ali (Zainul Abedeen) and handed over his signet to him, as also the chores of Imamate that were handed over by the Prophet of Allah to the Commander of the faithful Ali. Imam Ali handed it over to Imam Hasan, who in turn handed it over to Imam Husain, which later came to my father's


316 (Imam Mohammad al Baqir) possession and it came down to me. It is there with me and I put it on Fridays and Pray while wearing it". Mohammad bin Muslim says that on Friday I paid a visit to him and offered prayers with him. When he ended his prayers, he stretched his hand towards me and I saw the ring in his finger in which it was engraved: There is no other Deity but Allah, Ready to meet Allah. Then Imam said, "This is the signet of my grandfather Abu Abdullah Husain".

It is related in the Amali of Shaikh Sadooq and Rawzatul Wa'ezeen, that the horse of Imam Husain smeared his mane and forehead in his blood and started running and neighing. When the daughters of the Prophet heard his neighing they came out of the tents and saw the horse without his rider, thus they knew that Imam Husain was martyred.

Ibne Shahr Ashob in his Manaqib and Mohammad bin Abi Talib say, that the horse of Imam Husain fled from the folds of the army and dipped his forelocks in the blood. He rushed towards the tents of the women-folk and started neighing. Then he went behind the tents and started beating his head upon the ground until he died. When the ladies saw the horse devoid of its rider, they started wailing and Sayyedah Umme Kulsum beat her head with her hand and called out, "O Mohammad! O Grandfather! O Prophet! O Abul Qasim! O Ali! O Ja'far! O Hamza! O Hasan! This is Husain who has fallen down in the desert while his head is severed from the nape. His turban and cloak have been robbed off", saying this she became unconscious.

It is said in the renowned Ziyarate Nahiyah that:

"And your horse wandered away towards your tents, neighing and weeping, then when your women-folk beholded your horse devoid of it's rider and saw the saddle bent, they emerged from the tents, with disheveled hair, beating their faces, unveiled, and wailing, lamenting, in a dejected state after having being honoured, they ran towards the spot of your martyrdom, while Shimr (the accursed) was seated upon your chest, moving his sword (upon your neck) to slaughter you, while clasping your hair in his hand, he was slaughtering you with his Indian sword, you had turned motionless while your breathing was ceasing, (your were beheaded) and your head was raised upon the lance".[1]


Notes:

[1] It is related in Madinatul Ma'ajiz from the same Ibne Shahr Ashob, that Abu Makhnaf relates from Jaludi, that when Imam Husain fell down upon the earth, his horse defended him. He leapt upon the horse-riders and threw them upon the ground from the saddle. He crushed them with his feet and started circulating around until he killed forty men. Then he drenched himself with the blood of Imam Husain and rushed towards the tents. He started neighing aloud and struck his hooves upon the ground.

# Plundering of the belongings of Imam Husain and the wailing of the womenfolk of the Household (Ahlulbayt)

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos relates that a maid came out of the tents of Imam Husain and a man told her, "O maid of Allah! Your master has been killed". She says, I hastened to my lady and started lamenting, seeing this all the ladies arose and started wailing. It is said that then the army jointly proceeded further to plunder the tents of the Progeny of the Prophet and the light of Zahra's eyes, besides looting the veils off the ladies' shoulders. The daughters of the Prophet's family and his household started wailing together and wept upon the loss of their associates and friends.

Hameed bin Muslim says that when a woman from (the family of) Bakr bin Wael, who was accompanying her husband, who was alongwith Umar bin Sa'ad, saw that the army had advanced towards the women's tents while looting their veils, she pulled out a sword and turning towards the tents called out, "O family of Bakr! They are looting the daughters of the Prophet of Allah. There is no judgment and no decree except with Allah! Arise to avenge the blood of the Prophet of Allah!" Hearing this, her husband seized her and took her away.

It is related, that the ladies were drawn out of the tents and the tents were set on fire. The women of the Prophet's family were bareheaded, bare-feet and marauded similar to the ones in captivity. They were disturbed and wandered while saying, "By Allah! Take us to the spot of the martyrdom of Husain". When their sight fell upon the martyrs, they started wailing and beating their faces. It is said: By Allah! I cannot forget that Zainab, the daughter of Ali, wept upon Husain and called out in a grievous voice,

"O Mohammad, salutations of the heavenly angels upon you! This is Husain, who has fallen down with body smeared in blood and bodily components cut asunder, while your daughters have been captivated. I complain to Allah!


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And also to Mohammad Mustafa! And Ali Murtaza! And Fatemah Zahra! And Hamza, the Master of Martyrs! O Mohammad! This is Husain, who has fallen down in the desert, while the wind is gasping upon him, and he is killed at the hands of the illegitimate ones. O griefs! O trials! Today my grandfather the Prophet of Allah has departed from the world! O companions of Mohammad! Come and behold the Progeny of Mustafa being seized similar to the captives".

In another narration the following words have been related,

"O Mohammad! Your daughters have been seized and your Progeny killed. The wind is gasping dust upon them. This is Husain, his head severed from the nape while his cloak and mantle have been looted. My father be ransom upon the one whose army was marauded on Monday! My father be ransom upon the one, the cord of whose tents was broken up! My father be ransom upon the one, meeting whom is not possible now and whose wounds are incurable! My father be ransom upon the one on whom I ransom my life! My father be ransom upon the one who died in sorrow and thirsty! My father be ransom upon the one whose beard dripped blood! My father be ransom upon the one whose grandfather is Mohammad al Mustafa! My father be ransom upon the one whose grandfather is the Prophet of the Lord of the heavens! My father be ransom upon the grandson of the guided Prophet! My father be ransom upon Mohammad al Mustafa! My father be ransom upon Khadijatul
Kubra! My father be ransom upon Ali al Murtaza! My father be ransom upon Fatemah Zahra, the mistress of the women-folk! My father be ransom upon the one for whom the sun turned back so that he may offer Prayers!"

The narrator says that by Allah, hearing this, each and everyone, whether friend or foe, wept. Then Sakinah embraced the corpse of her father and the Bedouins gathered around and pulled her away from him.

It is related in Misbah of Kaf'ami, that Sakinah said, that when Husain was martyred, I embraced him and fell unconscious and I heard him say, "O my followers (Shi'ah) remember me when you drink water! And lament upon me when you hear about any traveler or martyr!" Hearing this I arose with fright while my eyes were hurt due to weeping, then I started beating my face.[1]


Notes:

[1] Ibne Abd Rabbah in his Iqdul Fareed, relates from Hammad bin Muslimah, from Sabit, who relates from Anas bin Malik, that when we had buried the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.), Sayyedah Fatemah Zahra approached me and said, "O Anas! How did your heart consent when you poured earth upon the face of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.)"? Saying this she wept and called out, "O my dear father! You consented when your Lord desired meeting you. O my dear father! The one with whom his Lord is near… (until the end)". The state of Fatemah was thus after the burial of her father, then what would have befallen Sakinah when she beholded her father's body drenched in blood, with head severed, and robbed off his turban and clock, with fractured and bent back? Then she described her state in the following words: "How could your heart consent when you killed the son of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.), how could you crush his chest which was a treasury of the 'Righteous Knowledge'"?

# Looting of the heads of the martyrs, jewelery of the women folk and Camels of the Master of the oppressed by the Kufan army

Shaikh Mufeed says that they looted the belongings, camels and the chattels of Imam Husain and also the veils of the women-folk of his family.

Hameed bin Muslim says that by Allah! I have seen with my own eyes that they pulled the veils off the shoulders of the women-folk, their daughters or other ladies and removed from them forcibly.

Azdi says that Sulayman bin Abi Rashid relates from Hameed bin Muslim, that I reached the bedside of Ali bin Husain al Asghar (Imam Zainul Abedeen), who was ill and bed-ridden. Shimr bin Ziljawshan, alongwith his lackeys rushed upon him and said, "Shall we kill him?" I said, "Glory be to Allah! Shall we also kill the infants? This infant is already at the verge of death". I kept a watch upon him and defended him when anyone approached him until Umar bin Sa'ad came there. He said, "None should enter the tents of the women-folk and none should disturb this ailing child. The ones who have robbed their belongings should return it back to them". By Allah! None among them returned anything back.

In Akhbarud Dawl of Qirmani it is related that Shimr (May the curse descend upon him which is due to him) decided to kill (Imam) Ali al Asghar (Zainul Abedeen) who was ill. Zainab, the daughter of Ali bin Abi Talib, came in and said, "By Allah! You shall not kill him until you kill me". Hearing this Shimr lifted his hands off him.

It is related in Rawzatus Safa, that when Shimr entered the tent of the ailing one (Imam Zainul Abedeen), he saw him lying upon the pillow. Shimr pulled out his sword to kill him when Hameed bin Muslim said, "Glory be to Allah! How will you kill this infant child? Do not kill him". Some say that Umar bin


321 Sa'ad caught hold of the hand of Shimr and said, "Are you not ashamed before Allah? You intend killing this ailing infant?" Shimr replied, "We have orders of the commander Ubaydullah to kill each and every son of Husain". Umar repeatedly restrained him until he retreated back. Then he ordered that the tents of the Progeny of Mustafa be set on fire.

It is related in Manaqib of Ibne Shahr Ashob, that Ahmed bin Hambal says that the reason for Imam Zainul Abedeen becoming ill in Karbala was that he had worn a long armour, and he clipped the extra part of it with his bare hands and tore it (and thus developed fever).

Shaikh Mufeed relates that the accursed Umar bin Sa'ad came in facing the tents and the women started weeping and wailing in front of him. He turned towards his accomplices and said, "None should enter the tents of the women-folk and none should disturb this ailing infant". The women-folk desired from him that whatever was looted from them be returned so that they may cover themselves. He said, "Whatever one has looted off the belongings of these women should return it back to them". By Allah! None returned anything. Then he appointed some guards upon the tents of the ladies and of the ailing Imam and said, "Guard them, none should enter therein nor should ruin them". Saying this he returned to his tent and called out in the midst of his associates, "Who will volunteer to gallop horses upon Husain?"

Tabari says that Sinan bin Anas came to Umar bin Sa'ad and stood at the door of his tent and called out, "Fill my stirrup with rewards for I have killed the King whose door was guarded, I have killed the one who was the best with regard to his father and mother, and whenever ancestry was discussed he possessed the best ancestry".[1] Umar bin Sa'ad said, "You are insane and shall never come to your senses. Bring him to me". He was brought to him and Umar beat his hand with the cane and said, "O insane one! You have uttered that, which if heard by Ibne Ziyad, he will blow your head off".

Umar bin Sa'ad arrested Uqbah bin Sam'an, the servant and retainer of Rabab, the wife of Imam Husain, and asked him, "Who are you?" He replied, "I am a retainer". Then he was released, and we have related regarding him, alongwith Marqa' bin Samamah, in the preceding chapter.

It is related, that then Umar bin Sa'ad called out in a loud voice among his accomplices, "Who among you will volunteer to gallop the horses upon the


Notes:

[1] Tabari says that the army told Sinan bin Anas, "You killed Husain, the son of Ali, and Fatemah, the daughter of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.), and you have killed the most dangerous Arabian man who had desired snatching the kingdom away from the Bani Umayyah. Then go to your commanders and desire abundant rewards, for even if they hand over all of their wealth in lieu of the murder of Husain, it is quite less".


322 body of Husain?" Ten men among them volunteered to do so. Among them was Ishaq bin Haywah Hazramee, who had looted the shirt of Imam Husain, and was later bed-ridden with leprosy, and Ahbash bin Marsad Hazramee. They proceeded further and galloped their horses until they had crushed the back and chest of Imam Husain. I have been informed that after this incident, Ahbash bin Marsad was standing in the battlefield, when an unknown arrow came and struck at him and he died.

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says that Umar bin Sa'ad called out in the midst of his accomplices, "Who is desirous of volunteering to gallop the horses upon the back and chest of Husain?" Ten men among them volunteered to do so, among them was Ishaq bin Hawah Hazramee, the one who robbed the shirt of Imam Husain. The others being Akhnas bin Mursid, Hakeem bin Tufayl Sumbosi, Umar bin Sabeeh Saydawi, Raja' bin Manqaz Abadi, Saleem bin Khaysamah Ju'fi, Wahez bin Na'em, Saleh bin Wahab Ju'fi, Hani bin Sabeet Hazramee and Usayd bin Malik. (May Allah's curse be upon all of them). They trampled the body of Imam Husain with their horse's hooves until they crushed his chest and back. The narrator says that these ten men came to Ubaydullah, and Usayd bin Malik among them said, "We trampled the chest after the back with the powerful hooves". (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad said, "Who are you?" They replied, "We trampled the back of Husain until the bones of his chest
turned into a powder", he bestowed some gifts upon them.

Abu Amr Zahid says, that we investigated regarding these ten men and concluded that all of them were born illegitimate. Mukhtar arrested all of them and fastened their hands and feet to an iron fence. Then he ordered that horses be galloped upon their backs until they died.

# Incidents of the evening of the tenth of Moharram (Ashura) and despatching the blessed heads to the accursed Ubaydullah bin Ziyad

(Manaqib, Irshad, Malhoof) Then Umar bin Sa'ad despatched the head of Imam Husain with Khawli bin Yazeed Asbahi and Hameed bin Muslim Azdi on the same day of the tenth of Moharram to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. Then he gathered the heads of Imam's companions and relatives that numbered seventy-two. He then despatched them alongwith Shimr bin Ziljawshan, Qays bin al-Aash'as, Amr bin Hajjaj and Uzrah bin Qays, who reached it to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad.

Tabari says that Khawli brought the head of Imam Husain to the royal palace (in Kufa) and saw that the gate was closed. He took the head to his own house and kept it under a drum of the laundry. He had two wives, one of them was from (the clan of) Bani Asad and another from Bani Hazram named Nawar, the daughter of Malik bin Aqrab, and it was the turn of Nawar that night.

Hisham (bin Mohammad Kalbi) says that my father relates from Nawar, the daughter of Malik, that Khawli brought the head of Imam Husain and kept it in the courtyard below a drum of the laundry. Then he entered the room and relaxed upon the bed, I asked him, "What news have you brought?" He replied, "I have brought abundant wealth for you. This is the head of Husain which lies in the courtyard of your house". I said, "Woe be to you! People bring gold and silver, while you have brought the head of the grandson of the Prophet of Allah? By Allah! I shall never ever lay my head besides you upon the bed". Then I stepped away from the bed and came into the courtyard of the house. Then he (Khawli) called for his other wife from Bani Asad who entered his bed, while I sat there beholding the head. By Allah! I saw a pillar of light extending like a sheet from the courtyard to the


324 heavens, while white birds were circumambulating it. Then when it dawned, he took the head to (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad.

It is narrated in Matalibus Su'ool and Kashful Ghummah, that Basheer bin Malik brought the head of Imam Husain, and placing it before Ubaydullah bin Ziyad said, "Fill my stirrup with gold and silver for I have killed the King whose door was guarded, and the one who recited the prayers facing the two Qiblahs in his childhood, and whenever ancestry is discussed he possesses the best ancestry, I have killed the one who was the best with regard to father and mother". Hearing this Ubaydullah was enraged and said, "If you knew that what you just said, then why did you kill him? By Allah! Nothing will reach you from me and I shall despatch you to him". Then he pulled him closer and beheaded him.

Shaikh Abu Ja'far Toosi, in his Misbahul Mutahajjid, relates from Abdullah bin Sinan, that I entered the presence of my Master Imam Ja'far as Sadiq and it was the day of the tenth of Moharram. I saw that his colour had faded away while grief prevailed upon his cheeks, and tears similar to the royal pearls were falling from his eyes. Seeing this I said, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! Why do you weep?" He replied, "Have you been negligent? Do you not know on which day Husain was martyred?" I asked, "O my Master! What do you have to say regarding fast on this day?" Imam replied, "Fast on that day without intention and end it without joy and do not fast entirely. Then break your fast one hour after the time of Asr Prayers (nearing sunset) with a drink. For it was at that moment of the day that the battle ended upon the Progeny of the Prophet and their martyrdom concluded. While thirty men from among the family of the Prophet lay (martyred)
upon the ground in the midst of the group of their companions. And their martyrdom was unpleasant for the Prophet, and if he would have been alive on that day, condolence regarding them would have been offered to him". Saying this Imam started weeping until his beard was soaked with his tears.

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos in his Iqbal says; know that it was the evening of the tenth of Moharram when the family of Imam Husain and his daughters and children were captivated by the enemies. And they were besieged with grief, regret and lament. And they spent the entire day in such a state that relating the extent of their anguish and disrespect is beyond the strength of my pen. They spent the night in a forlorn state devoid of aide and their men. While the enemies loathed them extremely and abandoned them while considering them to be wretched. And by this means they desired seeking nearness to Umar bin Sa'ad, the apostate, the one who orphaned the children of Mohammad, and who injured their hearts; and of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, an atheist; and of Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah, a renegade, the apex of heresy and obstinacy. Then he says that, I have seen in Masabeeh a tradition


325 related from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq that he said, that my father Imam Mohammad bin Ali (al Baqir) related to me that: I asked my father Imam Ali bin Husain (Zainul Abedeen) regarding the medium of transport sent by Yazeed for him, and he replied, "I was mounted upon a feeble and naked Camel (without a litter), while the head of Imam Husain was raised upon a bamboo. And the women were behind me mounted upon mules devoid of saddles. While the guards had surrounded us behind our heads and all around with extended lances. And if a drop of tear would fall off from anyone of our eyes, their heads would be beaten with their lances, until they entered us into the city of Damascus. And a caller was announcing, 'O Syrians! These are the captives of the accursed family'." (Allah's refuge)

I (the author) say, that (O reader) has this grief ever fallen upon your parents or anyone of your relatives, then one should not consider it to be unworthy. And no Muslim, who recognizes the position of the sons of noblemen, also should consider it to be unworthy. And I (the author) also say that when the evening of the tenth of Moharram approaches, stand up and offer condolences to the Prophet upon these afflictions, with heartache, tearful eyes and aggrieved tongues. And seek pardon regarding one's deficiency in this grief and ask forgiveness, and also that it (the grief) is not similar to the grief when one looses one's dear ones. For it is far away that a person may fulfill the right of mourning upon this severe grief.

# Exit of Umar bin Sa'ad from Karbala to Kufa

Umar bin Sa'ad halted in Karbala until the Zuhr of the twelfth (of Moharram).

(Malhoof) He gathered the dead bodies of his associates and recited the burial prayers upon them and buried them, while he left the body of Imam Husain and his companions in the desert.

(Tabari) He ordered Hameed bin Bakr Ahmari to announce to people for setting off to Kufa.

(Malhoof) He took alongwith him the family of Imam Husain and mounted the ladies of his family bareheaded upon camels without litters. And he drove this 'Trust of the Prophethood' similar to the Turkish and Roman captives, while afflicting them in the worst manner of grief and sorrow. It is rightly said that, "Salutations is presented upon 'the Chosen One' from the family of Hashim, while it is astonishing that they fight his progeny".

It is related in Kamile Bahai, that Umar bin Sa'ad halted there (in Karbala) the entire day of the tenth and the next day until the time of Zuhr. Then he appointed some chiefs and trustworthy men to guard Imam Zainul Abedeen and the daughters of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali and the other women numbering twenty. The ailing Imam was twenty-two years old, while Imam Baqir was four years old, and both of them were present in Karbala, while Allah protected them both.

It is related in Manaqib, that they arrested the entire family except Sharbano,[1] who drowned herself in the Euphrates.


Notes:

[1] This Sharbano is not the daughter of Yazdjurd, the mother of Imam Zainul Abedeen, for she had died during childbirth as related in authoritative reports. Thus it goes to say that if this report is true, she has to be another woman named Sharbano, for the mother of an Imam can never commit a grave sin of suicide.


327
Ibne Abd Rabbah in his Iqdul Fareed says that twelve children from the family of Hashim were taken as captives, including Mohammad and Ali, the sons of Imam Husain, and Fatemah, the daughter of Imam Husain. The pillars of the kingdom of the sons of Abu Sufyan trembled and they did not find ease until kingdom went away from their hands and Abdul Malik bin Marwan wrote to Hajjaj bin Yusuf, "Keep me far away from the blood of this family, for I have seen myself that when the Bani Harb (Bani Umayyah) fought with Imam Husain, their sovereignty was ruined.[1]

(Tabari) Azdi says that Abu Zuhayr Abasi relates from Qurrah bin Qays Tamimi, that he says that I was on guard when the women of the family (of Imam) were passed by the spot of martyrdom of Imam Husain, their family and children. They started wailing and beating their faces. I can forget everything but can never forget the moment when Zainab, the daughter of Fatemah, passed by her brother Husain and saw him fallen upon the ground. She called out, "O Mohammad! O Mohammad! Salutations of the heavenly angels be upon you! This is Husain drenched in blood and cut asunder fallen down in the desert. O Mohammad! Your daughters are captivated and your progeny fallen martyred while the wind is sprinkling sand upon their bodies". He (Qurrah) says that, by Allah! Her words made every friend and foes weep.

It is related in a renowned tradition from Za'edah, that Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen said, that when that what befell us occurred on the plains of Karbala, my father and his companions among his sons, brothers and others fell a martyr, and his women and family were mounted upon camels without litters and taken towards Kufa. My sight fell upon the martyrs who had fallen


Notes:

[1] One cannot expect such mercy from Abdul Malik bin Marwan, who himself was no less a tyrant than the Bani Umayyah. Abdul Malik was all for violence and acknowledged openly that his policy was usurpation by force, although he violated the principles of religion. When the news of his appointment (upon caliphate) reached him, he was seated with the Qur'an in his lap, he closed it saying, "This is our final parting" (Abul Fida). In fact, it was at his instant that his lieutenant and governor Hajjaj bin Yusuf carried out whole-scale massacre in Makkah and Madinah. Catapults were directed towards the Ka'bah and burnt, while Abdullah ibne Zubayr was killed within the limits of the 'Sacred Sanctuary'. The slaughter of it's inhabitants continued for three successive days, and numerous companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and Imam Ali were put to sword in the holy twin-cities. One cannot also forget the brutal massacre of such eminent personalities like Kumayl ibne Ziyad, Qambar etc. in contempt of their affection towards Imam Ali. The number of persons slain by Hajjaj is put at 120,000, and it is said that there were 50,000 men and 30,000 women in his prison (Mas'oodi) all Hashimites or the Shi'ah. While Abdul Malik was even more ruthless than Hajjaj and even more prepared to break faith and violate amnesties. His enmity with the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)'s family is well-known in history.


328 upon the ground and that none had buried them, my heart pressed. This proved quite severe upon me and it was close that I would have died due to the grief. My aunt Zainab, the daughter of Ali, perceived my condition and said, "O remembrance of my grandfather, father and brothers! Why do you risk your life?" I replied, "Why should I not turn restless and not risk my life, when I see my master, my brothers, uncles, cousins and my family fallen down drenched in dust and blood, bare and naked in the desert. They are neither shrouded nor buried, none is besides them nor is any human-being circumambulating them as if they were of Turkish or Dailamite progeny". She said, "Do not be disturbed upon what you see. By Allah! Your father and grandfather have received recommendation from the Prophet of Allah to forbear upon this calamity. And Allah has taken pledge from a group of this nation, whom the similitude of Pharaohs of this world do
not recognise but they are renowned among the dwellers of heavens, that they shall gather the fragments of these bodies and bury them. And they shall establish a symbol upon the head of the grave of your father on the land of Karbala, which shall remain eternally and shall never be erased. And if the leaders of infidelity and the supporters of misguidance try to erase it, it's emblem will not but increase abundantly and its affair will exceed day after day".

# Relating to the burial of our Master Imam Husain and his companions

(Irshad) When Umar bin Sa'ad left, a group from the clan of Bani Asad, who had settled in Ghaziriyyah, came. They recited the prayer upon the corpse of Imam Husain and his companions and buried him at the place where his grave is presently situated. They buried Ali bin Husain al Akbar at the feet of Imam Husain, while the martyrs from his family and companions, who had fallen down upon the earth around him, were all buried in a single grave at the side of his feet. They buried Abbas bin Ali on the road towards Ghaziriyyah, at the spot of his martyrdom where his grave is presently situated.

It is related in Kamile Bahai, that the relatives of Al-Hurr bin Yazeed buried him at the spot of his martyrdom. It is said, that the Bani Asad, among all the Arabian tribes, had the honour to recite Prayers upon the corpses of Imam Husain and his companions and bury them.

Ibne Shahr Ashob and Mas'oodi say, that the people of Ghaziriyyah, who were a group from among the tribe of Bani Asad, buried Imam Husain and his companions one day after their martyrdom. It is also said, that most of their graves were found prepared and white fowls were seen circumambulating them.

Sibt ibne Jawzee relates in his Tazkirah, that Zuhayr bin Qayn was martyred alongwith Imam Husain and his companions. His wife despatched her slave saying, "Go and shroud your master". He went and saw Imam's body lying bare and said to himself, "How is it possible that I should shroud my master and leave the body of Imam Husain bare? No, by Allah". Saying this he shrouded Imam Husain and shrouded his master in another one.

It should be borne in mind that it has been proved that the executor of the shrouding and burial of an Infallible (Ma'soom) can be none other than an infallible. While none, except an Imam, can give the dead body bath to the


330 Imam. And if an Imam dies in the east and his heir (another Imam) is in the west, Allah will unite them.

It is related from Imam Mohammad al Jawad, that when the Prophet of Allah died, Jibra'eel alongwith other Angels and the 'Holy Spirit', [1] who had come forth on the Night of Grandeur (Laylatul Qadr), descended. The veils were lifted off the eyes of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali, who saw that the heavens had opened, and they assisted him in the bath and recited Prayers upon the Prophet's body and prepared his grave. By Allah! None other than them dug his grave, and they assisted until they buried him. Then they buried him while the Prophet spoke to them. Imam Ali heard their conversations that the Prophet enjoined the Angels regarding him. Imam Ali wept and the Angels answered, "We shall not act miserly with regard to him. Verily he is an authority upon us after you, and none shall see us again after this". At the death of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali, Imam Hasan
and Imam Husain beholded similarly during his burial. They saw the Prophet himself assisting the Angels. And when Imam Hasan was martyred, the same situation prevailed, and it was seen that the Prophet and Imam Ali assisted the Angels in his burial. And when Imam Husain was martyred, Imam Ali bin Husain (Zainul Abedeen) witnessed similarly.

It is related, in context of the remonstration of Imam Ali ar Reza against the Waqifites,[2] that Ali bin Abi Hamza objected to him saying that, "We have received traditions from your fathers that the executor of the funeral of an Imam is none other than the Imam". (Since the Waqifites were deniers of the Imamate of Imam Reza, they meant to say that when Imam Moosa Kazim died, he was in Madinah. And the corpse of his father was in the custody of the headsmen of Haroon who buried him in Baghdad. Then if he had been the true Imam, he would have been present in the burial proceedings. Since he


Notes:

[1] Some are of the opinion that 'The Holy Spirit' (Ruhul Quds) refers to Jibra'eel, who is also called 'The Trustworthy Spirit' (Ruhul Amin), while others opine that is means inspiration. There is still another interpretation that seems the most appropriate of all. It says that it is a prominent creature greater than the angels. It is stated in a tradition that a person inquired from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq whether 'Ruh' is the same as Jibra'eel, and he replied, "Jibra'eel is one of the Angels and Ruh (Spirit) is greater than Angels. Has Allah, the Exalted, not said: 'The Angels and Spirit descend (on the night of Qadr)"? (Tafseer al Burhan by Sayyed Hashim Husainee Bahrani Vol. 4: Page 481).

[2] Waqifites: After the martyrdom of Imam Moosa al Kazim, the majority followed his son Imam Ali ar Reza, as bequeathed by him, as the eight Imam. However, some halted with the seventh Imam and became known as the 'Waqifites' lit. the halting ones.


331 was absent it meant that he was not the Imam, Allah's refuge). Imam Reza answered, "Tell me then, so that I may know, as to who was the executor of the burial of Imam Husain? Was he an Imam or someone else?" He replied, "The executor was none other than Ali bin Husain (Imam Zainul Abedeen)". Imam asked, "Where was Ali bin Husain? Was he not imprisoned in Kufa under Ubaydullah (bin Ziyad)?" He replied, "He came out without their knowledge and attended to the burial proceedings of his father and then returned". Imam Reza then said,

"The One Who capacitated Ali bin Husain to come to Karbala to administer the burial proceedings of his father, bestowed similar powers to the Imam (himself) to come to Baghdad (from Madinah) and administer the last rites of his father, although he was not captivated nor was he in prison".

Shaikh Toosi relates through his chain of transmitters from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that one morning Ummu-Salamah starting weeping and was questioned regarding it. She replied,

"Yesterday night my son Husain has been martyred. I have never ever seen the Prophet of Allah in my dream after his death except yesterday night, I saw him in a mournful and grief-stricken state. I asked him as to why I saw him in such a grievous and distressed state and he replied, that since morning he had been digging the graves of Husain and his companions".

Shaikh Sadooq relates from Ibne Abbas, that I saw the Prophet of Allah in a dream at mid-day. He was distressed and smeared in dust and held a bottle full of blood in his hands. He said, "This is the blood of my Husain that I have been gathering since morning until now". He noted down the day and it corresponded to the day Imam Husain was martyred.

There are numerous traditions similar to the above ones. It is related in Manaqib, that Ibne Abbas saw the Prophet of Allah in a dream after the Martyrdom of Imam Husain with face covered in dust, bare feet and with grievous eyes, while the skirt of his shirt was tied on the waist. He was reciting the following verse of the Qur'an:

"And think not Allah to be heedless of what the unjust ones do. He only respites them to a day when the eyes shall be fixed open (staring up with terror)".[1]

Then he said, "I went to Karbala and gathered the blood of my Husain from the earth that now lies in my skirt. I shall go now to the presence of my Lord and plead to Him (for justice)".

It is related in Kamil of Ibne Aseer, that Ibne Abbas says that I saw the Prophet of Allah in a dream on the night of the martyrdom of Imam Husain. He held a bottle in his hand that contained blood. I asked him, "O Prophet of Allah! What is this?" He replied, "This is the blood of Husain and his companions that I am taking to the heavens to the presence of Allah". When it dawned Ibne Abbas announced the news of the martyrdom of Imam Husain to the people and related his dream. It was later established that it was the same day when Imam was martyred.

I (the author) say, that regarding the burial of Imam Husain, and those who were martyred alongwith him, are not quoted in detail in the authoritative books. And it is transmitted from Shaikh Toosi, that the (people of) Bani Asad brought a fresh mat and placed it under the body of Imam Husain. It is related from Deezaj, that he says that I, alongwith a group of my particular slaves, dug open the grave of Imam Husain. I saw a fresh mat on which lay the body of Imam Husain, while the fragrance of musk was emanating from it. I kept the mat at its original place on which the body of Imam was lying. Then I ordered that earth be filled in (the grave) and water to be sprinkled upon it.

It is also related by Abil Jarood, that first the grave of Imam Husain was opened from the head and then from the feet. Fragrance of musk emanated from it while none had any doubts regarding it.

It is related in a renowned tradition from Za'edah, as quoted by us in the end of the previous Section, that Jibra'eel told the Prophet of Allah, "This grandson of yours", he said pointing towards Imam Husain, "shall be martyred alongwith a group of men from your family, progeny and the virtuous among your nation on the banks of the Euphrates at a place named Karbala". He continued,

"When they shall have fallen down upon their place of comfort, Allah, the Honourable, the Glorified, will take away their souls with His Own Hands. While the Angels of the seventh heaven will come forth with trays of rubies and emeralds full of the Abe Hayat (the water of [eternal] life) and shrouds and perfumes of paradise, they shall then pray upon his dead body in hordes. Then Allah shall activate a group from among your nation, who would not be recognized by the kingdom of polytheists, nor would they be associated in his blood by means of speech, concept or deed. They shall bury them and shall erect a mark for the grave of the Master of Martyrs in that expanse desert, which will act as a guide for the righteous and a means of affluence for the believers. And daily a hundred thousand Angels from each heaven shall circumambulate it and shall send salutations to him. They shall glorify Allah and request Him for the salvation of those visiting his grave.
Then they shall note down the names of the pilgrims".

# Entry of the Household (Ahlulbayt) of Imam Husain into Kufa

(Umar) Ibne Sa'ad proceeded with the captives, and when they neared Kufa the natives therein gathered for a spectacle. A narrator reports, that a Kufan woman peeped down from her balcony and asked, "You are the captives from which place?" They replied, "We are the captives from the family of Mohammad". Hearing this, the woman stepped down and started collecting the shawls, skirts and veils and handed them over to them and they wore it. (Imam) Ali bin Husain (Zainul Abedeen) was alongwith the women, while illness had bent him severely. There was also Hasan al Musannah, who had accompanied his uncle and Imam, and had endured the wounds of swords and lances and was severely wounded, as also Zayd and Amr, two other sons of Imam Hasan were alongwith them. The people of Kufa started wailing and lamenting upon their state, when Imam Ali bin Husain said, "You weep and lament for us, then who killed us (except you)?"

It is related from the 'Intellectual among the Qurayshites' Sayyedah Zainab, the daughter Imam Ali, that when Ibne Muljim wounded her father and she saw his last moments, she related the tradition of Umme Ayman to her father and said, "Umme Ayman related to me the following and I endear that I hear it from you". Imam said, "O my dear daughter! The tradition is similar to the one related to you by Umme Ayman. And it is as if I see you and the women of your family captivated in this city in a wretched and dreadful state, and I fear lest people might harm you. Forbear! Forbear! By Him, Who splits open the seeds and creates human! On that day there shall not be another friend of Allah upon this earth except you all, your friends and your Shi'ah".


334
Sayyedah Zainab binte Ali's sermon in Kufa
Abu Mansoor Tabarsi in his Ehtijaj relates, that the sermon of Sayyedah Zainab, the daughter of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib, in the midst of Kufans on that day was a suppression and reproach of them. Hizam bin Sateer Asadi relates, that when Imam Ali bin Husain was brought from Karbala to Kufa in an ailing state, the women of Kufa started tearing off their collars and wailing aloud, while the men too accompanied them in lamenting. Imam Zainul Abedeen, who was ailing, called out to them in a feeble (yet stern) voice, "O these who weep! And who else except them have killed us?" Sayyedah Zainab, the daughter of Ali signaled the men to remain silent. Hizam Asadi continues that by Allah! I have never seen a modest woman more eloquent than her and she spoke in the voice of the Commander of the faithful Ali. She signaled to the men to pay heed, their breaths stopped in their breasts and their chimes faded. She then glorified
Allah and sent salutations upon the Prophet of Allah and said,

"Now then! O Kufans! O men of vaunt! O treacherous men! O retreaters! Beware! May your lament never cease and may your wailing never end. Verily your similitude is that of a woman who untwirls the threads spinned by herself. You have broken your pledges by deceit and there remains nothing in you except pretense, self-conceit, exorbitance and dishonesty. You have adopted the flatter of maids and coquettishness of the enemies as your customs. Your similitude is of that of the expanse vegetation or jewellery in the graveyard. Beware! What an evil have you brought forth for yourselves that has invited Allah's wrath upon you and you have earned a place of fury in the hereafter. You weep for my brother? Verily yes by Allah! You should weep, for you deserve it. Weep abundantly and laugh less, thus you are tainted with disgrace and trapped in contempt that you shall never be able to wash off. How will you wash off the blood of the son of the 'Seal of Prophethood
' and the 'Mine of Apostleship' from yourselves, who was the Master of the youth of Paradise, the General of the battlefield, and an Asylum of your group. He was a residence of repose for you and your well-being. He healed your wounds and safeguarded you against whatever evil came towards you. You approached him when you quarreled among yourselves. He was your best counsel and you relied upon him, and he was a lantern of your path. Beware! What evil have you brought forth for yourselves and what load have you put upon your neck for the day of Qiyamah. Perdition! Perdition! Destruction! May your search go vain and may your hands paralyse that you have handed over the affairs of your provisions to the wind. You have occupied a place in Allah's wrath, while the stamp of contempt and misfortune is sealed upon your forehead. Woe be to you! Do you know that you have amputated the dear child of Mohammad


335? And what pledge have you broken off from him? And what endeared family of his have you brought out onto the streets? And what veil of sanctity have you snatched away from them? And what blood have you shed from him? What an awry thing have you brought forth that it is likely that the heavens would fall down and the earth would disperse, while the mountains would crumble down as much as the fill of the earth and the heavens.

The bride of your affairs is hairless, unfamiliar, indecent, blind, ugly and sullen. You wonder why the heavens rain blood. The chastisement of the hereafter is more disgraceful and there will be no helper. Let not this respite make you frivolous, for none has the power to anticipate upon Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, and seeking vengeance does not lapse from him. No, not at all, your Lord is in ambush for you".

Then she recited the following elegies:

"What will you reply when the Prophet shall ask you, how did you fair, while you were the last nation, with my progeny and my children, the noble ones, that some of them are captivated and some drenched in their blood, this is not the recompense regarding which I adviced you with which you treated my 'Near-ones' , I fear that a wrath similar to the people of Iram [1] might descend upon you".

Saying then she turned her face away from them.

Hizam says that I saw that all the men wandered away and were deeply remorseful. An old man standing besides me wept bitterly until his beard was soaked with his tears. He held up his hands towards the heavens and said, "May my parents be ransom upon those whose elders, youth and women are the chosen ones among all elders, youth and women. Their family is respectful and their grace eminent". Then he said, "Theirs are the best of elders and the best progeny. And when tomorrow the progenies are taken into account, theirs will not be from among the ruined and damned ones".

Imam Ali bin Husain said,

"O dear aunt! Please remain silent, that what has passed away should serve as an example for the future. You, praise be to Allah, are an intellectual


Notes:

[1] Iram - A city built by Shaddad, a claimant of Godhead, as a challenge to Paradise, while exhausting all his resources. But he himself could not have a glance at it and death overtook him at the door. The people of that city were called the people of Ad, who were the people of Arab antiquity; they were powerful and possessed a tall stature. They became proud of their strength and power and thus rebelled against Allah's laws and were persistent in their arrogance and disbelief, thus Allah's wrath descended upon them and they were destroyed. Numerous verses of the Qur'an refer to their state.


336 without having being trained, and are knowledgeable who needs none to make her understand. Verily, lamenting and wailing would not return back those who have passed away".

Hearing this, Sayyedah Zainab became silent and Imam alighted and pitched a tent. Then he dismounted the women and brought them into the tent.

Imam Ali bin Husain's remonstration amidst the people of Kufa and his reproach to them for their breach of trust and deception
Then Hizam bin Sateer says that Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen came forward facing the men and signalled them to remain silent. Then he sat down and praised and glorified Allah and sent salutations upon His Prophet, then said,

"O people! Those of you, who know me, know me, while those who do not know me I am Ali, the son of Husain, who was beheaded without any fault or error on the banks of the Euphrates. I am the son of the one whose sanctity was violated and was robbed off the blessing of his life. His wealth was plundered and his women were captivated. I am the son of the one who was killed by a collective group, while this honour (Martyrdom) is sufficient for us.

O people! I tell you in the name of Allah! Do you not know that you had written a letter to my father inviting him? You deceived him while pledging and promising to aid him and took the oath of allegiance to him. And in return you fought against him and abandoned him? May you be ruined by that what you have brought forth and may your ideologies be ugly! How shall you face the Prophet of Allah when he shall say to you: You killed my progeny and violated my sanctity, you are not from among my nation".

The voice of wailing of men arose and they started telling one another, "You are ruined and you do not know". Then Imam continued,

"May Allah's Mercy be upon him who accepts my counsel and safeguards my recommendation in the way of Allah, the Prophet of Allah and his Progeny, that we possess better following while having relation with the Prophet of Allah".

They told him, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! All of us are heedful ones, obedient and admirers of your sanctity. We shall not desert you nor turn away from you. Then command us, may your Lord have mercy upon you, we are alongwith you in times of conflict and peace. Then we shall seek revenge from the one who oppressed you or ourselves". Hearing this Imam said,

"Alas! Alas! O deceivers loaded with fraud! There is a large obstacle


337 between you and your futile caprice. You desire to fair with me similarly as you have faired with my fathers? No, never. By the Lord of the joyous Camels of the pilgrims! The deep wounds of the martyrdom of my father and my family have not yet healed. The wounds inflicted upon the breasts of the Prophet of Allah, my father and his sons have not yet been forgotten. The bones of my neck are broken due to the sorrow and its bitterness exists in between my throat and larynx. And the bones of the heart are suffocating me. My desire is that you should not be of those who benefit us nor of those who harm us".

Then he said,

"No wonder that Husain is killed, similar to his father, who was better and greater than him. O Kufans! Do not rejoice upon this affliction of ours which is a great affliction, who has been lying martyred on the bank of the Euphrates, may my life be his ransom, while the retribution for his murder shall be the fire of hell".

Besides, the remonstration of Fatemah Sughra with the Kufans is also quoted. Zayd bin Moosa bin Ja'far relates from his father, who relates from his fathers the sermon of Fatemah Sughra, which she delivered after returning from Karbala:

"Praise be to Allah equivalent to the particles of sand and the weight of the heavens until the earth. We praise Him and believe in Him and rely upon Him alone, and we say that there is no other Deity except Allah. He is Unique and has no associate, while Mohammad is His Slave and Messenger. And the heads of his sons have been severed innocently on the banks of the Euphrates. O Allah! I seek refuge in You if I attribute falsehood to You, or if I misconstrue against what You ordered regarding the pledge of the Vicegerency of (Imam) Ali bin Abi Talib, whose right was usurped. He was also innocently killed in one of the houses of Allah as they killed his sons yesterday. There was present a group of men who claimed to be Muslims, may their heads not remain upon their necks, he was thirsty until his soul was taken up to You. He was of a praiseworthy character, pious lineage, and renowned qualities and acclaimed Religion and he did not fear
rebuke and reproach in Your Path. O Allah! You guided him towards Your Islam since his early childhood and You praised his attributes in his adulthood. He constantly remained sincere towards You and Your Prophet and Your salutations descended unto him until You summoned him to Yourself. He was abstinent with regard to this world and was not avaricious, while he was desirous with regard to the hereafter. Then he strove in Your way, while You cherished and preferred him and guided him to the Right Path. Now then! O people of Kufa! O men of deceit, fraud and conceit! We are a family tried on your account by Allah and He has tried you on our account. He has made these trials as a felicity for us and has informed us regarding it. We are the guardians of His Knowledge and the treasure of His Intelligence. We recognise His Wisdom and are the Proof for His slaves upon His earth. He cherishes us dearly through His Kindness and has exalted us upon His creations through His Prophet. You have belied us and committed infidelity through (oppressing) us. You considered killing us to be lawful and have plundered our belongings as though we are the infidels of Turkey or Kabul. It was yesterday that you killed our grandfather and your swords spits the blood of us the family (of Prophet). You have cooled your eyes due to an ancient enmity (which you bear towards us) and rejoice upon the insolence towards Allah and deceit that you bring forth. Do not rejoice upon shedding our blood and plundering our belongings, for whatever has reached us through this great affliction and the immense slaughter is in conformity to verses of the Qur'an:

“Vie in hastening to forgiveness from your Lord and to a garden whose extent is like the extent of the heaven and the earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His Messengers; that is the Grace of Allah, He bestows it upon whomsoever He wills; and Allah is the Lord of Mighty Grace. Befalls not any disaster in the earth or in your own selves save it is in a Book, ere We cause it to be verily that is easy for Allah. May you be expelled, look forward towards the wrath which will soon descend upon you. The vengeance of the heavens will descend upon you successively and erode, or He (Allah) should involve you in confusion (in) party (dissentions) and make some of you taste the fighting of the other. Then due to the oppression that you have committed upon us, you shall remain everlasting in the fierce wrath in Qiyamah. Beware! Curse of Allah upon the oppressors! Woe be to you! Do you know and do you understand? With what hands did you aim the lances at us? With what souls did you come to fight us? With what feet did you proceed for a combat with us? Your hearts have hardened, your livers have turned into iron, and your hearts have become blind, while your ears and eyes have been sealed. Shaitan has enticed you and has enjoined you while he has blindened your eyes and you shall never find guidance. May you be ruined O Kufans! How much blood of the Prophet of Allah is upon you? And what measure (of vengeance) is upon your neck? Then you committed treachery with his (the Prophet's) brother Ali bin Abi Talib as also his sons, the progeny of the Prophet, and who were among the chaste and virtuous. And one of you said arrogantly: It is we who killed Ali and his sons, with Indian swords and lances, and we captivated their women-folk similar to the Turkish captives, and we battled with him and what a battle. Mud in the mouth of the one who said it! You pride upon the murder of the ones whom Allah has praised and purified and has kept away all filth away from them? Hold your breadth! Then sit down as a dog sits down upon the tip of its tail, as your father sat. Every man shall reap what he sends forth. Woe be to you! You envied us due to the grace that Allah bestowed upon us. What is our fault in it if our river is full of abundant water, while the water of your river has dried up, that cannot even hide a worm? That is the grace of Allah, He bestows it upon whomsoever He wills, and Allah is the Lord of Mighty Grace. Unto whomsoever Allah gives not light, there is not for him anything of light".

It is said that hearing this, the voices of wailing arose and people said, "Enough O daughter of the Chaste Ones! You have blazed our hearts and have flexed our necks and have inflamed our conscience". Then she became silent, salutations upon her and her father and grandfather.

Sayyedah Umme Kulsum binte Ali's sermon in Kufa [1]

[3] Sayyedah Zainab as Sughra (the younger Zainab), better known by her agnomen Umme Kulsum, was the younger daughter of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali and Sayyedah Fatemah az Zahra. She was born during the days of her grandfather Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.), who cherished her and nurtured her in his blessed lap. Her excellent character, sublime morals, abundant virtue and unparalleled wisdom earned her great fame and she was looked upon as the inheritor of her mother's chastity second only to her elder sister Sayyedah Zainab al Kubra. She was married to her cousin Mohammad bin Ja'far at Tayyar, who died leaving her a widow. She remained attached and dedicated to her brothers Imam Hasan and Imam Husain. Umme Kulsum accompanied her brother Imam Husain at Karbala and witnessed the heart-rending episode of his martyrdom and those of the other men-folk of her family. Her speeches and sermons at Kufa and Damascus, reprimanding and condemning the oppressors for their misdeeds, bear witness to her eloquence and valiant character, the legacy of her father Imam Ali. She remained steadfast and forbore patiently the worst ordeals of life alongside her elder sister Sayyedah Zainab al Kubra (the elder Zainab) thus entering the ranks of the most honourable and pious women of the world. The Shi'ah Scholars unanimously agree to her being free from error and fault (Mahfooz anil Khata). While the episode quoted by Non-Shi'ah sources of her alleged marriage with Caliph Umar bin Khattab is nothing but fictitious, and is fabricated with a sole motive to demean the exalted status of Ahlulbayt and applause their enemies. Shi'ah Scholars have authored numerous books in refutation of this alleged claim. For further study refer to: As Sirrul Makhtoom fi Tahqeeq Aqd Umme Kulsum by Mawlawi Mohammad Inshallah Mohammadi Siddiqi Hanafi Badayuni (a Sunni Author), Afhamul A'ada was Khusoom fi nahi Tazweej Sayyedatena Umme Kulsum by Ayatullah Sayyed Nasir Husain, Kanze Maktoom fi hall Aqd Umme Kulsum by Fakhrul Hukama Sayyed Ali Azhar, A Treatise by Ayatullah Shaikh Mohammad Jawad Balaghi, etc. Also refer to the renowned Fatwa of Ayatullah al Uzma Sayyed Shihabuddin Mar'ashi Najafi, refuting the claim. Sayyedah Umme Kulsum died in Damascus and lies buried in the renowned graveyard of Babe Sagheer, opposite her niece Sayyedah Sakinah, the daughter of Imam Husain. May Allah's abundant Peace and Blessings be showered upon her and her exalted family.


Sayyed Ibne Tawoos in his Malhoof quotes these sermons and then says that, on that day Umme Kulsum, the daughter of Imam Ali, bewailed from behind the curtain and said,

"O Kufans! May you face evil! Why did you refrain yourselves from rendering assistance to Husain, why did you kill him? Why did you plunder his belongings and become its possessors? Why did you imprison his women-folk and suppress him? May you be ruined and uprooted! Woe be to you! Do you know what you have brought forth? And do you know what load of sin have you taken upon your backs? And what blood have you shed? And which women-folk have you taken as captives? And what children have to loot? And what belongings have you plundered? You have killed the best of men succeeding the Prophet, while mercy has departed away from your hearts . Beware, verily the Party of Allah alone shall be the successful ones and verily the party of shaitan are the losers."

Then she retorted,

"You killed my brother, woe be upon you, you will surely be rewarded by the fire which burns eternally. You have shed the blood whose shedding was proclaimed to be unlawful by Allah, by the Qur'an and Mohammad, may you receive tidings of the fire where tomorrow you shall dwell eternally. I shall weep upon my brother all through my life, who was born as the best of creatures after the Prophet, the tears shall flow upon my cheeks similar to the flood and rain waters and shall never dry up".

It is said that people started weeping and wailing aloud. The women tore their hair and put sand upon their head. They scratched their faces and started beating them and saying, "Alas! Alas!" The men started weeping and pulled their beards. Never was such a wailing of men and women ever been seen before.

Allamah Majlisi relates in Bihar al-Anwar from the reliable books, without quoting the chain of narrators, from Muslim, the plasterer, that he said, that (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad had summoned me to Kufa for the repair of the Royal Palace. While I was plastering the doors, suddenly voices of wailing arose from the surroundings of Kufa. A servant who was supervising us came and I asked him, "What is the news that I hear hue and cry in Kufa?" He answered, "The severed head of a rebel has been brought in, who revolted against Yazeed". I asked him as to who he was and he replied that he was Husain bin Ali. I waited until the servant had left, then I hit upon my face with my wrist (with such force) and feared lest my eyes would have come out. I washed my hands and came out from the back of the palace until I reached the open ground of Kufa. I stood there while men were awaiting the arrival of the captives and the heads. Suddenly nearly forty litters upon forty Camels drew near wherein were women, family and children of Fatemah, while Imam Ali (Zainul Abedeen) was seated upon a Camel without a litter. Blood was dripping from his legs and he was weeping in this state and said,

"O evil nation! May you never be satiated! O the nation who did not respect us in consideration of our grandfather! What will you answer on the day of Qiyamah when we shall be joined alongwith our grandfather? You made us sit upon bare litters as though it is not us who had strengthened the foundations of Religion. O Bani Umayyah! Until when shall you keep oppressing us or refuse to respond to the call of our proclaimer? O those who clap your hands rejoicing upon our misfortunes and slander us upon the earth, is not my grandfather the Prophet of Allah, Woe be to you, who guides abundantly than the path of the misguide? O event of Taff (Karbala)! You have made me the heir of grief and sorrow. By Allah! The veils will be pulled off the faces of those who have treated us badly".

The people of Kufa started distributing dates, bread and walnuts to the captivated children seated upon the litters. Seeing this Umme Kulsum called out, "O Kufans! Charity is unlawful for us". She took it away from the hands and mouths of the children and threw it upon the ground.

It is said that when she uttered these words, people wept on account of this unpleasant event.

Umme Kulsum peeped out from the litter and said, "Quite O Kufans! Your men kill us while your women weep upon us? Allah is the Judge on the day of Judgment between you and us". When she said this, the voice of wailing increased and the heads were brought forth. The head of Imam Husain was in the fore-front, it seemed similar to the Venus and moon and bore resemblance to the Prophet of Allah more than anyone else. His beard bore the mark of dye, while his face was glowing like a disc of the moon, while the wind was whirling it (the beard) to the left and right. Sayyedah Zainab lifted her head and saw the face of her brother and hit her head upon the wooden pillar of the litter. We saw with our own eyes that blood started flowing from under her veil and she started uttering with a broken heart,


342 "O crescent who did not even rise when it was eclipsed and it set! O piece of my heart! I had not presumed that the pen of destiny would have written this. O brother! Speak to the young Fatemah so that her heart may find solace. O brother! What has happened to the heart that was merciful and kind towards us, that it has hardened? O brother! I wish you would look at Ali (Zainul Abedeen) when he was being captivated while he was also orphaned. He possessed no strength to retaliate; when he was being flogged he was calling out to you helplessly, while his tears were flowing. O brother! Take him into your fold and bring him close to you and offer solace to his frightened heart, what a disgrace for an orphan when he calls out to his father and receives no answer from him".

# Relating to the entry of the Household of Imam Husain into the presence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad

It is related through trustworthy authorities, that Umar bin Sa'ad despatched 'The Trust of Prophethood (Ahlulbayt)' bareheaded upon the camels devoid of litter and dealt with them as though they were captives. When they neared Kufa, Ubaydullah bin Ziyad ordered that the severed head of Imam Husain be brought before them. They lined up the heads of the martyrs upon the lances and behind them the captives were dragged until they entered Kufa. Then they were paraded in the streets and markets.

It is similarly quoted in Futooh of Ibne A'asam, and Asim relates from Zarr, that the head of Imam Husain was the first head in Islam to be raised upon a lance, while the multitude of men and women weeping (on that day), was never seen before.

(Ibne Aseer) Jazari says that the head of Imam Husain was the first head in Islam to be raised upon a wooden shaft (lance), but the fact is that the first head among the Muslims to be raised upon the lance was that of Amr bin Humaq.

It is narrated in Yanabi'ul Mawaddah of the Learned Master Shaikh Sulayman Qandoozi, that Hisham bin Mohammad (Kalbi) relates from Qasim (bin al-Aasbagh bin Nabatah) Majashe'i, that when the heads were entered into Kufa, a horseman, who was handsome than others, had hung the head of Abbas bin Ali in the neck of his horse. (Later) His face turned black as tar and he said, "Every night two emissaries would throw me into the fire (of hell)", then he died in this wretched state.

Shaikh Mufeed relates, that the head of Imam Husain was brought to Kufa while the captives were brought in the next day. Ubaydullah bin Ziyad was seated in his palace and had called for a common assembly. The sacred head was brought in and kept in front of him. When his sight fell upon it, he


344 smiled and poked at the front teeth (of Imam) with the cane of his hand.

It is related in Sawaeqe Muhriqa of Ibne Hajar, that when the head of Imam Husain was entered into the house of Ibne Ziyad, blood started flowing down upon the walls.

It is also narrated from Sharhe Hamziyah, that he (Ubaydullah) ordered that the head be placed upon an armor kept on his right, while the men stood close to him in two rows.

It is narrated in Museerul Ehzan, that it is related to me, that Malik bin Anas said, that I saw Ubaydullah hitting at the teeth of Husain with his cane and saying, "What good teeth you possess O Husain"! I said, "By Allah! I consider the conclusion to be evil. I have seen the Prophet of Allah kissing the place where you hit your cane". Sa'eed bin Ma'az and Umar bin Sahl were also present when Ubaydullah was hitting at the eyes and nose of Husain and was entering it into his blessed mouth.

Azdi says that Sulayman bin Rashid relates from Hameed bin Muslim, that Umar bin Sa'ad called upon me and despatched me to his family with glad tidings of his victory and safety. I came to his family and delivered his message to them. Then I came out and entered the royal palace and saw that (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad had called for an assembly. Groups started visiting him and he had given them an audience. He had permitted men to visit him and I too entered therein along with others. I saw that the head of Imam Husain was kept near him and he was striking at his teeth with the cane of his hand for an hour. When Zayd bin Arqam saw that he was not withholding his hand, he called out, "Lift your cane off these teeth, for by Allah, besides Whom there is no Deity, I have seen both the lips of the Prophet of Allah upon them kissing", saying this the old man's rancor erupted and he started weeping. Ibne Ziyad said, "May your Lord make you weep! By
Allah! Had you not been old or turned stupid and your intellect having parted, I would have blown your head off". Then he arose and left. When I came out of the royal palace, I saw people saying to one another, "By Allah! Zayd bin Arqam uttered such words which if the son of Ziyad would have heard it, he would have killed him". I asked them as to what he had said. They replied, "He said: A slave obtained a slave, and considers all men to be the sons of his slaves (An Arabic proverb). O Arabs! From today on you have become slaves. You killed the son of Fatemah and made the son of Marjanah your commander. He kills the virtuous amongst you, and know that he has made you his slaves. You have put yourselves in humiliation, and death be upon those whose put themselves in humiliation".

It is related in Tazkiratul Khawaas of Sibt Ibne Jawzee, and Sawaeqe Muhriqa, as also in Tabarul Mazab, that Zayd bin Arqam arose and said, "O people!


345
From today on you have become slaves. You killed the son of Fatemah and made the son of Marjanah your commander. By Allah! He kills the virtuous amongst you, and know thou, that he makes you his slaves. Death be to the one who puts himself in humiliation and disgrace". Then he said to Ibne Ziyad, "I shall relate to you a tradition which will be unpleasant for you. I have witnessed myself that the Prophet of Allah had seated Imam Hasan upon his right thigh and Imam Husain upon his left and had placed his hand upon their heads. And he said: O Lord! I offer both of them alongwith the worthy believers to Your protection. O son of Ziyad! What have you done with the 'Trust of the Prophet of Allah'?"

It is also related in the Tazkirah of Sibt Ibne Jawzee, that it is quoted in Mufarridate Bukhari on the authority of Ibne Sireen, that the head of Imam Husain was placed in a tray near Ibne Ziyad. He was hitting the front teeth with the cane of his hand and also praising them, Anas bin Malik was sitting there too. When he saw this, he started weeping and said, "He bore resemblance to the Prophet of Allah more than anyone else. The mark of Wasmah or black dye was visible upon his face". While some say that the sun had changed the colour of his face and it was not something else (dye etc.).

Hisham bin Mohammad (Kalbi) says that when the head (of Imam Husain) was placed near Ibne Ziyad, his soothsayer told him, "Arise and place your feet upon the mouth of your enemy" (Allah's curse be upon him). As to what is quoted further is unpleasant to the heart to be narrated. What good has Mahyar said, "Your pulpit is honoured due to you, but your progeny is placed under the feet".[1]

May Allah reward Mukhtar fairly who took revenge from Ibne Ziyad. Shaikh Abu Ja'far Toosi and Shaikh Ibne Nima relate that when the head of Ibne Ziyad was brought to Mukhtar, he was having food. He praised Allah upon this triumph and expressed that, "When the head of Imam Husain was brought to Ibne Ziyad, he was having his food. Then I too am having food when the head of Ibne Ziyad is brought to me". Then when he finished his food, he arose and scrubbed his shoe upon the face of Ubaydullah. Then he gave his shoe to his slave saying, "Wash it, that I have put it at the face of an unchaste infidel".


Notes:

[1] It is related in Habibus Siyar, that when the head of Imam Husain was brought to Ibne Ziyad, he came forward to have a look at his face and hair. Suddenly his ominous hand trembled; he then placed the blessed head upon his thigh. A drop of blood fell off from it, and entering his clothes, dug deep into his thigh piercing it such that it turned into a wound and gave out a stink. And as much the doctors tried to cure it, it proved futile. Therefore Ibne Ziyad always kept musk with him so that the odor may not be revealed.




Then it is said that, Qays bin Ibad was near Ibne Ziyad. Ibne Ziyad asked him "What do you say regarding myself and Husain?" He replied, "On the day of Qiyamah, Husain's grandfather, father and mother would intercede on his behalf, while your grandfather, father and mother would intercede for you". Hearing this Ibne Ziyad was infuriated and ousted him from his assembly.

Madaeni says that a man from Bakr bin Wael, named Jabir or Jubayr, was present there. When he saw what Ibne Ziyad did with the head of Imam Husain, he vowed that if ten Muslims would ever revolt against Ibne Ziyad, he would accompany them. Hence, when Mukhtar arose to avenge the death of Imam Husain, and when both the armies stood facing one another, he stepped into the battlefield saying, "I consider everything upon which my sight falls to be futile, except the lance under the shadow of the horse". Then he attacked the ranks of Ibne Ziyad and called out, "O accursed one! And O the successor to the accursed one"! The army left Ibne Ziyad, and he exchanged lances with him and both of them fell upon the ground dead. While some say that Ibraheem bin Malik Ashtar killed him and we shall quote it at its appropriate place.

It is quoted in Tazkirah (of Sibt Ibne Jawzee) from Tabaqat of Ibne Sa'ad that Marjanah, the mother of Ibne Ziyad, told him, "O evil man! You killed the son of the Prophet of Allah? By Allah! You shall never ever be able to see Paradise". Ibne Ziyad mounted all the heads, amounting to more than seventy, upon the wooden shafts (lances) in Kufa. And these heads, after that of Muslim bin Aqeel, were the first ones in the Islamic world to be mounted upon the wooden shafts (lances).

Shaikh Mufeed says that the family of Imam Husain were taken to Ibne Ziyad. Sayyedah Zainab was also alongwith them in a disguised state and had worn a very humble dress. Tabari narrates that Zainab had worn a humble dress and disguised herself while her maids surrounded her.

Shaikh Mufeed says that Zainab passed by and sat in one of the corners of the palace while the maids had surrounded her. Ibne Ziyad asked, "Who is this woman sitting alongwith the other women in the corner?" Hazrat Zainab did not answer him. He repeated his question for the second and third time, when one of the maids said, "She is Zainab, the daughter of Fatemah, the daughter of the Prophet of Allah". Ibne Ziyad turned towards her and said, "Praise be to Allah that He has humiliated you, killed you and has brought forward the lie of your appearance". Zainab replied, "Praise is due to Allah who has endeared us through His Prophet and cleansed us from all filth. Verily the dissolute is humiliated and a pervert


347 speaks a lie, while this is far away from us. And praise be to Allah". Ibne Ziyad said, "What did Allah do to your family?" She replied, "He preferred martyrdom for them and they hastened towards their place of repose. Then Allah, the Almighty, will gather you face to face, and they will try you and complain against you in His Audience".

It is narrated by Sayyed (Ibne Tawoos) that she said, "I have not seen anything except fairness in it. They were men for whom Allah had preferred martyrdom and they prepared to leave for their place of repose. And Allah will gather you all and you shall be tried and interrogated. Then see who will have succeeded on that day, O son of Marjanah! May your mother mourn you"! The narrator says that hearing this Ubaydullah was enraged and desired against her (to kill her).

It is narrated in Irshad, that Ibne Ziyad was enraged and fumed at her. Amr bin Hurays said, "O Commander! She is a woman, and a woman is not accountable for her speech and should not be rebuked for her fault". Ibne Ziyad said, "Allah healed my heart of your rebellion, and the revolt of your family". Hearing this Zainab was moved and started weeping. Then she said, "By my life! You killed my elder and my youth and destroyed my family and severed my branches and plucked my origin, if your heart be healed by it". Hearing this Ibne Ziyad said, "This woman speaks rhythmically, while her father spoke similarly and was a poet". She replied, "What has a woman got to do with rhythms? I turn my face away from the rhythmical. But these words have come out of a grievous heart".

They brought (Imam) Ali bin Husain to Ubaydullah, and he asked, "Who are you?" He replied, "I am Ali bin Husain". Ubaydullah said, "But did not Allah kill Ali bin Husain?" Imam Zainul Abedeen answered, "I had a (another) brother by the name of Ali, who was killed by the men". Ibne Ziyad said, "Rather Allah killed him". Imam said, "Allah takes the souls at death, and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep".[1] Hearing this Ibne Ziyad was enraged and said, "You have the audacity to reply to me and have the courage to refute me? Then take him away and behead him". Hearing this Zainab clinged to him (Zainul Abedeen) and said, "O son of Ziyad! Enough of our blood have you shed". Then she took him into her fold and said, "By Allah! I shall not part with him. If you desire killing him, kill me alongwith him too". Ibne Ziyad looked at them for sometime, and then said, "What marvellous mysteries does mercy possess. By Allah! I perceive
she desires that I should kill her alongwith him. Leave them, for I see them entrapped in their own grief".[2]


Notes:

[1] Surah az Zumar: 42.

[2] It is narrated by Tabari from Imam Mohammad al Baqir, that there remained no man from the family of Imam Husain, except a youth (Imam


348
It is related in Tazkirah of Sibt Ibne Jawzee that Rabab, the daughter of Imru al Qays and wife of Imam Husain, lifted the blessed head, and placing it in her lap, kissed it and said, "O Husain! I shall never ever forget Husain, those lances proceeded towards him, who had no lineage or father (present) at Karbala, and threw him upon the ground, may Allah never water both the directions of Karbala".

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says that when Sayyedah Zainab told Ubaydullah that, "You have not spared anyone from among us, then if you desire killing him, kill me too alongwith him", Imam Zainul Abedeen told her, "O dear aunt! Please wait. Let me speak to him". Then he turned towards Ibne Ziyad and said, "Do you frighten me by death? Do you not know, that martyrdom is our custom and in it lies our eminence?" Then Ibne Ziyad kept Imam Zainul Abedeen and his family in detention in one of the houses in the south of the Grand Mosque of Kufa. Then Sayyedah Zainab declared, "The women of the arabs hold no right to visit us. Only the maids and bondwomen may visit us who have tasted captivity similar to us".

Then Ubaydullah ordered that the head of Imam Husain be paraded in the streets of Kufa.

Here the author quotes some elegies which we forgo - translator.

Our Master Shaikh Sadooq in his Amali, and Fattal Naishapuri in his Rawzatul Waezeen, relate from a courtier of Ubaydullah, that he says that when the head of Imam Husain was brought to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, he ordered it to be placed in a golden tray. Then he started hitting his front teeth with his cane and said, "O Aba Abdillah! You have turned aged quite early". One man from among those present said, "I have seen the Prophet of Allah kissing the place where you hit your cane". He replied, "This day is in lieu of the day of Badr". Then he ordered that (Imam) Ali bin Husain be bound in chains and to send him to the prison alongwith the ladies of the house and other captives. I was alongwith them and saw that all the streets were full of men and women and they were beating their faces and weeping. They put them into the prison and locked the door. Then he called for (Imam) Ali bin Husain and the women alongwith the head of
Imam Husain, while Sayyedah Zainab was alongwith them. Ibne Ziyad said, "Praise be to Allah that He has humiliated you and killed you". Then he continued his speech similar to what has been quoted earlier. Then Ubaydullah ordered them to be sent to the prison, and he despatched tidings of the martyrdom of Imam Husain everywhere and despatched the captives alongwith the head of Imam Husain to Syria.

Zainul Abedeen), who was captivated alongwith the women. Ubaydullah ordered him to be killed. Zainab stood in defending him and said, "He shall not be killed until you kill me", Ubaydullah was moved and left them.

# Martyrdom of Abdullah bin Afeef Azdi

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos relates, that then (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad ascended the pulpit, and after praising and glorifying Allah, said, "Praise be to Allah that He has bestowed dominance to the truth and the truthful ones, and presented victory to the commander of the faithful and his adherents, while killing the liar and son of a liar (Allah's refuge)". At that moment Abdullah bin Afeef Azdi, who was one of the virtuous and abstentious Shi'ah, whose one eye had been blinded in the battle of Jamal, while the other one in the battle of Siffeen, and who served at the grand mosque of Kufa where he remained engrossed in prayers until the night, arose and said, "O son of Marjanah! You are a liar and son of a liar, while also the one who deputed you and his father. O enemy of Allah! You kill the sons of the Prophets and thereafter you utter such words on the pulpit of the believers?" The narrator says that, hearing this, Ibne Ziyad was infuriated and said, "Who is this speaker?" He replied, "O enemy of Allah! I am the eulogiser of the Chaste Progeny (of the Prophet) from whom Allah has kept away all filth and whom you killed, yet you consider yourself to be a Muslim? Alas! Where are the children of the Muhajereen [Emmigrants] and the Ansar [Helpers], that they do not seek revenge from your rebellious one Yazeed, the accursed one and son of the accursed one through the tongue of the Prophet of the Lord of the universe?" The narrator says that hearing this, Ibne Ziyad was all the more enraged and the vein of his neck swelled and he said, "Bring him to me". The soldiers ran towards him from all directions, but the chiefs of the clan of Azd, who were his cousins, defended him from the hands of the headsmen. They took him out of the mosque and reached him to his house. Ibne Ziyad said, "Go out and bring the blind man of Azd to me whose heart has been blinded by Allah similar to his eyes". They proceeded towards his house, and when the people of the clan of Azd came to know, they, alongwith the clans of Yaman, assembled to defend him. When the news reached Ubaydullah, he gathered the people of the clan of Muzar and despatched them to fight them handing over the command to Mohammad bin al-Aash'as.

The narrator says that they fought fiercely and numerous Arabs were killed. The soldiers of Ibne Ziyad approached the door of Abdullah and breaking it open entered therein. Seeing this, his daughter called out, "That which you had been avoiding has approached while the army has come forth". He said, "Do not fear and hand me over my sword". The sword was handed over to him and he defended himself saying, "I am the son of the possessor of two-fold eminence Afeef the chaste, Afeef is my master while my mother is Umme Amir, how many armoured and cloaked men do you possess whom I have killed and thrown them upon the ground". His daughter said, "O father! I wish I was a man, and then today I would have fought with these futile men and the murderers of the Pure Progeny in front of you". The army had surrounded him from all sides and he defended himself, while none could lay their hands upon him. And from whichever side they attacked him, his daughter kept informing him (for he was blind). Then they increased in size and cornered him and captured him, while his daughter called out, "O humiliation! They have surrounded my father while he has no aide". He started whirling his sword while saying, "I swear that if my sight would return, it would become difficult upon you to besiege me".

The narrator says that again they attacked him and arrested him and took him to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. He said, "Praise be to Allah that He has humiliated you". Abdullah bin Afeef answered, "O enemy of Allah! How have I been humiliated? For by Allah! If my sight returns, it would become difficult upon you to besiege me". Ibne Ziyad said, "O enemy of Allah! What do you say regarding Usman (bin Affan)?" He replied, "O son of the slave of Allah! O son of Marjanah!" Saying this he abused him and said, "What do you have to do with Usman bin Affan whether he performed good or evil deeds? And whether he reconciled or destroyed? Allah, may He be Hallowed and Exalted, is an Authority upon His creatures and shall deal with justice and righteousness in between them and Usman bin Affan. But you can ask me regarding yourself and your father, or regarding Yazeed and his father". Ubaydullah bin Ziyad said, "By Allah! I shall not question you until you die of grief".

Abdullah bin Afeef said, "All Praise be to the Lord of the universe! I had desired from my Allah to bestow martyrdom upon me long before your mother gave birth to you. And I had desired it at the hands of the worst among His creatures and the most detested one near Him. But when my eyes had turned blind, I had lost hope, but now, praise be to Allah, after despair it has been manifested to me and I perceive that my ancient desire has been fulfilled". Ibne Ziyad ordered, "Behead him", they beheaded him and his head was hanged at the


351 salt swamp. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

Shaikh Mufeed says, that when the headsmen arrested him, he announced the slogan of the people of Azd, while seven hundred people of Azd gathered near him and released him from the headsmen. Ibne Ziyad despatched his men at mid-night and he was brought out and beheaded and was hung at his salt-swamp. Then when it dawned, Ibne Ziyad called for the head of Imam Husain and ordered it to be paraded in the streets of Kufa and among all the clans. Zayd bin Arqam says that, I was on my terrace when the head passed by me placed upon a lance. When it came close to me, I heard it recite: Or do you think that the Fellows of the Cave and (of) the Inscription (which) were of Our Signs (Miracles) (matters) wonderful?[1] The hair of my skin arose and I said, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! Your mystery, as also your task, is most astonishing, and yes most astonishing". Then after it was paraded in the city of Kufa, it was brought back to the royal palace. Then Ibne Ziyad handed it to the custody of Zahr bin Qays, alongwith that of his companions, and despatched them to Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah".

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says that Ibne Ziyad wrote a letter to Yazeed, in which he informed him of the martyrdom of Imam Husain and the state of his family. He despatched a letter with similar contents to Amr bin Sa'eed bin Aas, the governor of Madinah.

Tabari relates from Hisham (bin Mohammad Kalbi), who relates from Awanah bin Hakim Kalbi, that when Imam Husain was martyred and his belongings and captives were brought to Kufa for Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, they were imprisoned. When the captives were in the prison, a stone was hurled inside, which was tied in a letter. The contents of the letter were as follows: "On such and such day a message regarding yourselves has been despatched to Yazeed. Then it will take so many days to travel and to return back. It will then return on such and such day, and then if the voice of 'Allaho Akbar' reaches your ears, be informed that there will be a general massacre, but if you do not hear it, then you will be in peace, Allah willing". Two three days before the return of the message another letter tied with a stone and a blade was thrown, in which was written: "Make your wills and pledge among yourselves, that the message will come on such and such day". Finally the message came, while the voice of 'Allaho Akbar' was not heard, with the message that: "Despatch the captives to me".

Ubaydullah called for Makhfar bin Sa'labah and Shimr bin Ziljawshan and said, "You should take the captives and the head of Husain to the presence of Yazeed", they left until they reached him.

352
It is stated in Kamil of Ibne Aseer, that when Umar bin Sa'ad returned after the martyrdom of Imam Husain, Ibne Ziyad told him, "O Umar! Return to me the letter in which I ordered you to kill Husain". He replied, "I have executed your orders, while the letter has been lost". Ibne Ziyad said, "You should hand it over to me". Umar replied, "It is lost", "Then you should get it" said Ibne Ziyad. Umar replied, "I have kept it with me, so that, by Allah, I may read it in front of the old Qurayshite women of Madinah as a cover-up for me. Beware! I had counseled you regarding Husain, that if I had done similar to my father Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqas, I would have fulfilled all rights due to a father". Hearing this, Usman bin Ziyad, the brother of Ubaydullah, said, "He spoke the truth by Allah! I cherish it that until the day of Qiyamah the noses of all the progeny of Ziyad would be bridled and Husain would not have been killed", while Ubaydullah himself did not
deny it.

It is stated in Tazkirah of Sibt Ibne Jawzee, that after this, Umar bin Sa'ad arose from the assembly of Ibne Ziyad so as to return to his house. On the way he said, "None has returned from the battle more miserable than me. I obeyed the son of Ziyad, an oppressor and son of a loose woman, while disobeying Allah, the Just. While I severed the honourable relation that I shared with the family of the Prophet". The people distanced themselves from him, and whenever he encountered anyone from among them, they would turn their faces away from him. And whenever he stepped into the mosque, the people therein would leave. And whoever saw him would abuse him, and he remained secluded in his house until he was killed. (May Allah's eternal curse be upon him and his accomplices).

Abu Hanifa Daynoori says that Hameed bin Muslim relates, that Umar bin Sa'ad was my companion, and after returning from battle against Imam Husain I inquired of him, and he said, "Do not ask me regarding my state, none has left one's house and brought back the worst that what I have brought back to my house. I severed the most merciful relation and performed a great (worst) task".

# Ubaydullah bin Ziyad despatches Abdul Malik Salami to Madinah with the news of Martyrdom of Imam Husain, and the sermon of Abdullah bin Zubayr in Makkah

Tabari relates from Hisham (bin Mohammad Kalbi), who relates that Awanah bin Hakim Kalbi says that when Ubaydullah bin Ziyad killed Imam Husain and his head was brought to him, he called for Abdul Malik bin Hurayth Salami and said, "Go to Madinah, and give the tidings of the martyrdom of Husain to Amr bin Sa'eed bin Aas". During that period, Amr bin Sa'eed was the governor of Madinah. He (Abdul Malik) tried to excuse himself but Ubaydullah warned him and did not give him respite and said, "Go to Madinah immediately with the news before this news reaches them from any other quarter". He handed over some Dinars to him and said, "Do not seek excuses, and if your mount is exhausted, buy another one". Abdul Malik says that I reached Madinah and a man from Quraysh met me and asked, "What news have you brought?" I replied, "The news is for the commander". He said, "Verily we are Allah's and verily unto Him shall we return. Husain is martyred". I
went to Amr bin Sa'eed, and he asked, "What has taken place?" I replied, "That which would please the commander, Husain has been martyred". He said, "Declare it to the people" and I announced the news of his martyrdom, while such wailing arose from the women of Bani Hashim, as had never ever been heard before. Hearing this Amr laughed and said, "The women of Bani Ziyad wail and lament, as our women had wailed and lamented at the dawn of Arnab". This couplet had been composed by Amr bin Ma'dikarib in the expedition of Bani Zubayd against the Bani Ziyad, in which Bani Ziyad were marauded. While Bani Ziyad is from the branch of the clan of Bani Hurayth bin Ka'ab, a group of Abdul Madan. Then Amr said, "This wailing is in lieu of the wailing for Usman bin Affan". Then he mounted the pulpit and announced the martyrdom.


354
Ibne Abil Hadeed, in his Sharhe Nahjul Balaghah, relates regarding Hakam bin Aas and his son Marwan, that his son (Marwan) was more bad opinioned and a greater pervert than him, while his apostasy was larger than him. When the head of Imam Husain reached Madinah, Marwan was the governor of Madinah. He took the head in his hands and said, "What delight has manifested in between my hands, with the red cheeks turned into purple colour". Then he hurled the head towards the grave of the Prophet and said, "O Mohammad! This day is in lieu of the day of Badr". These words should have been taken from the couplet exemplified by Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah the day the head of Imam Husain reached him, while this couplet was compiled by Ibne Zab'aree.

Our master, Shaikh Abu Ja'far (Toosi), relates as above (which is an error), while the correct is that during that period, Marwan was not the governor of Madinah, while it was Amr bin Sa'eed. And the head of Imam Husain was not taken to Madinah, but Ubaydullah despatched a letter to Madinah and informed him of the death of Imam Husain. Amr read his letter upon the pulpit and recited the above-mentioned couplets, and then he pointed with his hands towards the blessed grave (of the Prophet) and said, "This day is in lieu of the day of Badr". A group of Ansar despised his words, while this issue has been dealt with by Abu Ubaidah in his book named Masalib. Here ends that which is quoted by Ibne Abil Hadeed.

Tabari relates from Abi Makhnaf, who relates from Sulayman bin Abi Rashid, that Abdul Rahman bin Ubayd Abil Kanood says that when news reached Abdullah bin Ja'far that his two sons were martyred alongwith Imam Husain, people came to him to offer their condolences. One of his retainers, and I presume it was Abul Lislas, came to him and said, "This affliction is what we got from Husain". Abdullah was enraged and hurled a sandal at him saying, "O son of an adulteress woman! How dare you say something like that about Husain? By Allah! Had I been with him, I would not have liked to part with him except being killed defending him. In my heart I had granted both of them (my sons) to Imam Husain, while their separation consoles me, for both of them were martyred in his defense, together with my brother as well as my cousin". Then he turned towards those in his presence and said, "Praise to Allah! But what consoles me upon the martyrdom of Imam
Husain is that although I could not defend him with my life, both my sons have done so".

When the news of martyrdom of Imam Husain reached Madinah, a daughter of Aqeel bin Abi Talib, covered herself with the veil, and came out with a group of women of her family saying, "What will you answer to the Prophet when he asks you as to how you treated my children and my progeny


355 after my death, while you were the last nation, when some of them are imprisoned while others drenched in their blood".

Shaikh Toosi relates, that when the news of the martyrdom of Imam Husain reached Madinah, Asma, the daughter of Aqeel bin Abi Talib, came out with a group of women. She went towards the grave of the Prophet of Allah and started wailing grievously. Then she turned towards the emigrants (of Makkah) and the helpers (people of Madinah) and said, "What will you answer when the Prophet will ask you on the day of resurrection and accountability, on which day truth will prevail; that you deserted my Progeny and remained absent; and when the truth will prevail (on that day); then you left them into the hands of the oppressors; there is none now who will intercede for you in the audience of Allah; when death approached him in the desert of Karbala, he had no aide nor associate, who would say that we will defend him from being killed". The narrator says that we never ever saw such weeping of men and women before this.

Hisham (bin Mohammad Kalbi) says that a group of my associates related to me on the authority of Amr bin Abil Miqdam, who quotes from Amr bin Ikrimah as saying, that on the morning of the day when Imam Husain was martyred, one of our retainers in Madinah said, that yesterday night I heard a voice calling out, "O murderers of Husain who killed him in ignorance, may you receive tidings of wrath and punishment, while you are being damned by the Prophets, Angels and the clans, and you have been cursed by the tongue of Ibne Dawood (Sulayman), Moosa and the bearer of Injeel (Prophet Isa)".

Hisham (bin Mohammad Kalbi) says that Amr bin Hayzoom Kalbi relates from his father, who says that I too heard this voice. It is quoted in Kamil of Ibne Aseer and other books, that for two or three months at the time of sunset, people saw the walls drenched in blood.

Sibt Ibne Jawzee says that when the news of the martyrdom of Imam Husain reached Abdullah bin Zubayr at Makkah, he said, "Now then! Beware of Iraqis! O deceitful men and profligates! Beware O Kufans who are the worst of all! They invited Husain so as to render assistance to them and straighten their affairs, and aid them against his enemies, and renew the peculiarities of Islam. And when he came to them, they rebelled against him and killed him. Then they told him to pledge allegiance at the hands of the lewd and accursed son of Ziyad and submit to his ideologies. But he exalted honourable death upon the life of degradation. May Allah bless Husain, and may He humiliate his murderer, and also curse those who executed his orders, and those who remained satisfied with it. Then after what they have done with Abu Abdullah would you even rely slightly upon them and trust the promises of the treacherous lewd men? Beware! By Allah! He (Imam Husain) was one who fasted during the days and remained awake at night (in worship) and was more close to the Prophet than the sons of lewd ones. By Allah! They refused to listen to songs instead of the Qur'an, and sing instead of weeping due to fear of Allah, and drink wine instead of fasting, and play a flute instead of remaining awake at night for worship, and run behind the prey (to hunt) instead of gathering for remembrance (of Allah), and play with monkeys. And very soon they shall fall into the 'Valley of Perdition' in hell. 'Beware! (Now) Verily the curse of Allah is on the unjust."

This sermon has been quoted by (Ibne Aseer) Jazari in his Kamil with slight variations.

It is quoted in Tabaqat of Ibne Sa'ad, that when the news of martyrdom of Imam Husain reached Ummu-Salamah, she said, "Have they really done that? May Allah fill their houses and graves with fire". Then she wept until she fell unconscious.

Ibne Abil Hadeed says that Rabi' bin Khaseem had not uttered a word since twenty years, until Imam Husain was martyred. He uttered only one sentence saying, "Have they done this?" Then he said, "Say (O Our Messenger!): O Allah! The Originator of the heavens and the earth, the Knower of the unseen and the manifest! You (Alone) shall judge between Your servants in the matter wherein they were differing."

Then he became silent and remained in that state until he died.

It is related in Manaqib from Tafseer of Sa'labi, that Rabi' bin Khaseem asked one of those who were present in the martyrdom of Imam Husain that, "You brought the head and raised it?" Then he said, "By Allah! You killed 'the Chosen One' (of Allah), whom when confronted by the Prophet, he would kiss their lips and make them sit in his lap". Then he recited the following verse,

"Say (O Our Messenger!): O Allah! The Originator of the heavens and the earth, the Knower of the unseen and the manifest! You (Alone) shall judge between Your servants in the matter wherein they were differing."


# Despatching of the blessed heads and the Pure Household by Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, the accursed, from Kufa to Syria, and the events that occurred thereafter

(Irshad) After they paraded the blessed head in Kufa, they brought it back to the palace. Ibne Ziyad handed over the head to Zahr bin Qays, as also the heads of the companions, and despatched him to Yazeed alongwith Abu Burdah bin Aun Azdi, Tariq bin Zabiyan and a group of men from Kufa, until they reached Yazeed, the accursed.

Here I intend to increase the grief (upon the Imam) and quote the words of the `Commander of the faithful', the 'Master of the Vicegerents' Imam Ali as a comparison,

"Where are the ones who had pledged together to sacrifice their lives, while their heads were taken to the wicked men."

I also quote these elegies as comparison, "Ransom upon the heads which were raised upon the lances, and were taken to Syria as a gift, ransom upon the beloved cheeks, that were smeared harshly in dust and blood, May I be ransom upon the bare bodies laid upon the earth, that were skilled for mourning, weep upon the orphans of the Progeny of Mohammad, that the Qur'an was dispersed from them, the Masters of Religion and administrators of guidance, that sacrifice (in Makkah) and the pilgrimage is unsuitable except through their medium".

Abdullah bin Abi Rabi'ah Humayri relates, that I was in Damascus with Yazeed, when Zahr bin Qays entered therein. Yazeed said, "Woe be to you! What news follows you? And what have you brought alongwith?" He replied, "Have glad tidings of the victory of Allah. Husain, alongwith eighteen men of his family and sixty from among his adherents, revolted against us. Thus we confronted them and offered him to submit to the order of commander


358 Ubaydullah bin Ziyad or else fight us, and they preferred battle upon submission. We pounced upon them as soon as the sun arose and surrounded them. And when our swords landed upon their heads, they fled away without having any place of refuge. And they sought refuge upon every low and high places when we attacked them, similar to a pigeon that takes refuge from the falcon. O Commander of the faithful (Allah's refuge)! By Allah! A time needed to slaughter a camel or dozing off during day-time had not yet passed, that we killed the last of them. And we left their bodies naked, clothes smeared in blood, faces upon the ground, while the sun scorched them, and the wind scattered sand upon them, and the wild birds of the severe desert would turn upon them".[1] Hearing this, Yazeed bowed his head for sometime, then lifting his head said, "I would have been pleased with you even if you had not killed Husain. Beware! If I had been there with him, I would have let him go. May Allah have mercy upon Husain". Then he did not bestow any gift upon him.

Sayyed Shiblanji in his Noorul Absar, and Sibt Ibne Jawzee in his Tazkirah say, that Yazeed removed him (Zahr bin Qays) from his presence and did not give him anything.

We (the Author) say, that his (Zahr bin Qays) end was already predicted. Zuhayr bin Qayn relates, that when I joined Imam Husain, he said,

"O Zuhayr! Know thou, that here the place of my pilgrimage will be raised. And my head will be taken by Zahr bin Qays to the presence of Yazeed in greed of reward, but he will not get anything".

After despatching the head of Imam Husain, Ubaydullah mobilised the children and ladies and fastened an iron collar in the neck of Imam Ali bin Husain and despatched them behind the head alongwith Makhfar bin Sa'labah A'ezee and Shimr bin Ziljawshan, until they joined the caravan carrying the heads. Imam Zainul Abedeen did not speak to them on the way from Iraq until they reached Syria.

Sayyed Haider Hilli says in his elegies, "Who will inform the Prophet that indeed, Hazrat Sajjad is captivated? Who will inform to Zahra and notify her of the heartburn of Zainab? Their enemies have been parading them from one city to another, while their hearts are pained and aggrieved".


Notes:

[1] Zahr bin Qays has misinterpreted the entire episode of Karbala simply to gain the pleasure of Yazid; rather the reality was quite opposite. It was the army of Yazid which was routed by the fierce attack of Imam Husain's companions and often requested for asylum and took to flight. While most of them killed the companions and family of Imam Husain treacherously. The narratives, as quoted by the Shi'ah and Non-Shi'ah sources, bear testimony to their invincible valour and memorable struggle.


359
It is stated in the Shi'ah and Sunni books, that when the bearers of the sacred head of Imam Husain halted at the first place, they started drinking wine and playing and sporting with the blessed head. When suddenly a hand appeared from the wall holding an iron pen, and wrote down in blood the following lines: "The nation which has killed Husain, still hopes that on the day of Qiyamah his grandfather shall intercede for them?" Seeing this they were terrified and left that place.

It is stated in Tazkirah of Sibt Ibne Jawzee, that Ibne Seereen said, that one hundred and fifty years before the 'Proclamation of Prophethood', a stone was found upon which was written in the Syriac language, and when it was translated into Arabic it meant, "The nation which has killed Husain, still hopes that on the day of Qiyamah his grandfather will intercede for them?"

Sulayman bin Yasar says that a stone was found, on which was written: "There is no escape from it, that on the day of Qiyamah, Fatemah shall arrive with her shirt smeared in the blood of Husain, woe be to them who have incurred the wrath of their own intercessors, on the day when Israfeel will blow the trumpet".

It is related from Tareekhul Khamees, that they (the bearers of heads) proceeded until they reached a monastery and entered therein so as to relax until the afternoon. There they saw written on the wall: "The nation which has killed Husain, still hopes that on the day of Qiyamah his grandfather will intercede for them?" They asked a monk, "Who has written these lines?" He replied, "It was written here one hundred and fifty years before the 'Proclamation of Prophethood'".

Sibt Ibne Jawzee, through his chain of transmitters, relates from Abu Mohammad Abdul Malik bin Hisham Nahvi Misri, in context of a tradition, that whenever they (the bearers of heads) downloaded their equipments, they removed the blessed head from the trunk and raised it upon a lance. They would guard the entire night until the morning, and at the time of proceeding they would put it back into the trunk and proceed further. During one of their halts they came near the monastery of a monk. As usual they raised the head upon the lance and guarded it while leaning the lance against the wall of the monastery. At mid-night, the monk saw a wave of light emanating from the head and reaching the heavens. He looked at them from above the monastery and asked, "Who are you?" They replied, "We are associates of Ibne Ziyad". He asked, "Whose head is this?" and they replied, "It is of Husain, the son of Ali bin Abi Talib and Fatemah, the daughter of the
Prophet of Allah". He asked, "You mean your Prophet?" and they replied in the affirmative. Hearing this he said, "You are among the worst of men. If Maseeh (Prophet Isa) would have had a son, we would have placed him upon our eyes


360 (we would have honoured him greatly)". He continued, "Do you desire anything, and could you do me a favour?" They asked as to what was it, and he replied, "I have ten thousand Ashrafi with me, you may take it and give me the head. Let it remain with me until the dawn, and when you proceed further, take it back from me". They replied, "We are at no loss due to this", saying this they handed the head over to him and he gave them the Ashrafis in return. The monk washed the head, perfumed it and kept it upon his thigh and wept profusely until it dawned. And when it dawned he said, "O head! I do not have authority upon anything except myself. I bear witness that there is no Deity except Allah and that your Grandfather is the Prophet of Allah! You bear witness that I am your friend and a slave". Then he renounced the monastery and all that was therein, and entered the ranks of the slaves of Ahlulbayt.

Ibne Hisham in his Seerah says that they took the head and proceeded further, and when they reached near Damascus, they started telling one another that, "Come, so that we may divide the Ashrafi among ourselves. Lest Yazeed may see them and take it away from us". The purse was brought and opened and they saw that it had turned into clay, and on one of its sides was written:

"And think not Allah to be heedless of what the unjust ones do.He only respites them to a day when the eyes shall be fixed open (staring with terror)".

And on the other (side) it was written:

"And soon shall know those who deal unjustly, what an (evil) turning they shall be turned to"!

Seeing this they threw them into the Burda River.

The honourable Shaikh Sa'eed bin Hibatullah (Qutbuddin) Rawandi, in his Kharaej, has related this episode in detail and in this context says that when the monk handed back the head to them, he came down from the monastery and remained engrossed in prayers in a mountain. Their (the bearers of the head) leader was none other than Umar bin Sa'ad, who had taken the money from the monk. But when he saw that it had turned into clay, he ordered his slaves to throw them into the river.

I (the Author) say, that according to the historical facts, Umar bin Sa'ad did not accompany this group to Syria hence it is unlikely that he was with them. And it seems more unlikely, as quoted by him (Rawandi) in the end of this report, that Umar bin Sa'ad returned to Rayy, and when he reached the vicinity of his kingdom, Allah shortened his life and he died on the way. For it is verified that Mukhtar killed him in his house at Kufa and thus the prayer of Imam Husain regarding him was fulfilled that, "May Allah prevail upon you a one, who would kill you upon your bed". And Allah is 'the Best Knower'.

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says that Ibne Lahee'ah and others relate this report from which we quote a part according to our need. I was circumambulating the Ka'bah and I heard a man say, "O Allah forgive me! But I know that You shall never do so". I said, "O slave of Allah! Fear Allah and do not utter this. Even if your sins are equal to the drops of rain or the leaves of the trees, seek pardon from Allah, and He shall certainly forgive them. While Allah is Forgiving, Merciful". He said, "Come, so that I may relate to you regarding myself". He continued, "We were fifty men accompanying the head of Husain to Syria. Every night we would place the head of Husain into a trunk and drink wine surrounding it. One night my friends drank wine and were intoxicated and inebriated while I did not drink. When a part of the night passed by, I heard a sound of thunder and saw lightening. Suddenly the doors of the heavens were opened ajar and Prophets Adam, Nooh,
Ibraheem, Isma'eel, and Ishaq, and our Prophet Mohammad, accompanied by Jibra'eel and other Angels, descended. Jibra'eel came near the trunk, and lifting the blessed head from it, embraced it while kissing it. Then each of the Prophets followed him likewise until it reached the last Prophet. The Prophet started weeping while the other Prophets condoled him. Then Jibra'eel said, 'O Mohammad! I am your obedient one with regards to your nation. And if you command me, I shall capsize the earth upon them as I did with the nation of Prophet Loot'. The Prophet replied, 'O Jibra'eel! Verily I shall have an accounting against them in the Audience of Allah'. Then the Angels proceeded to kill us and I said: Refuge! Refuge! O Prophet of Allah! And he said, "Get away, may Allah never forgive you".

# A short account of the events taken place en route to Syria

It should be noted, that the sequence of places where they (the Prophet's Household) dismounted or again proceeded further is not known, nor has it been quoted in the authentic books. While in numerous books the account of the journey of Ahlulbayt towards Syria is not even mentioned. While only some of the events, which have taken place en route to Syria have been reported, which Allah willing, we shall quote in this book.

Ibne Shahr Ashob in his Manaqib says that one of the excellences of Imam Husain are the marvels which have manifested from the place of his head from Karbala until Asqalan, and in between them in Mosul, Naseebayn, Hamah, Hums, Damascus and other places.

We (the Author) say, that it is apparent from the above report that the blessed and exalted head halted at these places. And as regards the place of the head at Damascus (Ra's al Husain), it is renowned and requires no mention, while I myself have been blessed with the pilgrimage to that place.

As regards the place of the head at Mosul, as related in Rawzatush Shohada, that when the bearers of heads reached Mosul, they sent a message to the governor of that place to gather gifts and food for them and to decorate the town. The people of Mosul gathered and opined that they should be handed over whatever they ask but should be requested not to enter therein; rather they should halt outside the town. Then they should go away from there and not come in. They halted at one farsakh away from the town and placed the head upon a stone. A drop of blood fell from the head upon the stone, and blood, similar to a stream, sprang from it. People from all around gathered there and started the mourning rites and lamenting. This continued until the time of Abdul Malik bin Marwan, who ordered the stone to be shifted from there to another place. There was no sign of it thereafter, but a dome was erected there and was named 'Mashhadun Nuqta' (the site of the drop).



363
As regards the events taken place at Naseebayn, it is quoted in Kamile Bahai, that when they reached Naseebayn, Mansoor bin Ilyas ordered the town to be decorated elegantly. When the accursed (Mansoor), who had held the head of Imam Husain, desired to enter therein, his horse refused to obey him. Seeing this he changed the horse and the other one too refused to comply. He changed horses until the head fell off from the lance unto the ground. Ibraheem Mosuli lifted the head and recognised it to be that of Imam Husain and reprimanded them while rebuking them. The Syrians killed him and kept the head outside the city and did not enter therein. And perhaps the place of the head therein has been made the site for pilgrimage (at Naseebayn).

And as regards the pilgrimage site at Hamah, it is quoted in some books, while relating from one of the reporters of martyrdom, that I reached Hamah while returning from the Haj Pilgrimage. Amidst the gardens I reached a Mosque called 'Masjid al Husain'. I entered the Mosque and saw a curtain upon a wall in one of its structures. I lifted the curtain and saw a diagonal stone affixed therein. The stone had a mark of a (severed) neck and dried blood was apparent upon it. I asked one of the caretakers of the mosque, "What is this stone, and what traces of blood does it contain?" He replied, "This stone is the one on which the head of Imam Husain was placed by it's bearers, while taking it towards Syria, and it's mark has appeared upon it".[1]

As regards the site of the head at Hums, I have found no information regarding it, as also regarding the sites from Karbala till Asqalan. But as regards the site near the northern gate of the courtyard of the Mausoleum of Imam Husain, there exists a Mosque by the name of 'Masjid Ra`s al Husain' (The Mosque of Husain's head), and also there is a Mosque behind Kufa, near Qaimul Ghariyy, called Masjide Hannanah, where the salutation of Imam Husain is recommended, for his head was kept there.

Shaikh Mufeed, Sayyed Ibne Tawoos and Shaheed al Awwal relate in the chapter of the pilgrimage of the Commander of the faithful, that when you reach a place called Hannanah, recite two units of Prayers.

Mohammad bin Abi Umayr relates from Mufazzal bin Umar, that he said, that when Imam Ja'far as Sadiq reached a bent pillar en route to Ghariyy (old name of Najaf), he recited two units of prayers there. I asked him, "What prayer is this?" He replied,


"This is the site where the head of my grandfather Imam Husain was kept. When they came from Karbala they kept it here and then took it to the


Notes:

[1] It is stated in Kamile Bahai, that the bearers of the head of Imam Husain feared lest the tribes of Arabs might revolt and take the head of Imam from them. Therefore they took a deviated route and whenever they would reach a tribe and ask for food from them, they would say that this head is that of a rebel.


364 presence of Ubaydullah, the accursed, from here".

The Master of the Eminent Jurists, the Author of Jawaherul Kalam (Shaikh Mohammad Hasan Najafi), says that it is possible that at this place the head of Imam Husain might have been buried…… until the end of his discourse, which I do not desire to quote here. And I am surprised as to how he related it. And Allah is 'the Best Knower'.

As regards the site of the head of Imam Husain in Asqalan, it is quite renowned as quoted in some books.

It should be noted that there is a site of pilgrimage near Halab known as 'Mashhadus Siqt' on Mount Jawshan. It is a honourable mountain of Halab on its western side, which is a graveyard and a place of pilgrimage for the Shi'ah. Therein are the graves of Ibne Shahr Ashob, the author of Manaqib, and of Ahmed bin Muneer Ameli, regarding whom it has been quoted in Amalul Amil, and I too have quoted regarding him in my Fawaedur Razawiyyah.

Hamuwi in his Mo'jamul Buldan says that Jawshan is a mountain on the west of Halab, which has a mine of red copper. And it is said that from the time the captives of the family of Imam Husain were kept there, it turned futile. One of the women of Imam Husain experienced labour-pain there and miscarried. She requested for bread and water from the labourers of that mountain, but they abused her and refused to give her anything. She cursed them and none working in the mountain gains anything until even today. On the western side of the mountain is a place of pilgrimage known as 'Mashhad as Siqt' (a place of miscarriage) and is also called 'Mashhad al Dikkah' (the place of the bench). While the child who was aborted was named Mohsin bin Husain.

# Entry of the Household (Ahlulbayt) into Syria and the blessed head in Damascus

Shaikh Kaf'ami, Shaikh Bahai and Muhaddis Kashani narrate, that on the first day of the month of Safar, the head of Imam Husain was brought into Damascus. The day was considered a day of rejoicing for the Bani Umayyah, and is a day for mourning (for the believers). "It was considered a day of mourning by the Iraqis, while the Bani Umayyah in Syria celebrated during it".

It is related in Asarul Baqiyah of Abu Rayhan (al Biruni), that on the first day of the month of Safar, the head of Imam Husain was brought to Damascus. Yazeed placed it in front of him and poked at his teeth with the staff of his hand while saying, "I wish those of my clan who were killed at Badr, and those who had seen the Khazraj clan wailing (in the battle of Uhad) on account of lancet wounds, were here. They would have hailed me with loud cries and said, 'O Yazeed! May your hands never stupefy', for we have killed the chiefs of his (the Prophet's) clan. I did so as revenge for Badr, that has now been completed. The Bani Hashim only played a game with sovereignty. There has come no Message (Risalah, from Allah), nor was anything revealed (as Wahy). I would not belong to the Khandaq family, if I had not taken vengeance upon the descendants of Ahmad for their deeds".

It is related in Manaqib from Abi Makhnaf, that when the head of Imam Husain was brought to Yazeed, a pleasant aroma emanated from it that absorbed all other fragrances.

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos relates, that when the head of Imam Husain as well as the captives neared Damascus, Sayyedah Umme Kulsum told Shimr, "I desire something from you". Shimr asked her as to what it was, and she replied, "Enter us into the town from a door which is less crowded, while also command the bearers of the heads to move away from amidst the Camels, so that a few men may have a glimpse of us in this state". The


366 wicked man, in reply to her answer, commanded that the heads be kept amidst the Camels, and then he took them from the midst the people who had gathered for a spectacle. Then he took them in this state until they reached a gate of the Grand Mosque of Damascus where the prisoners were stationed.

It is related, that when one of the virtuous Tabe'een saw Imam Husain's head upon the lance, he secretly disappeared from the midst his companions for a month. When he was questioned regarding the reason for it, he replied, "Do you not see what agony has befallen us?" Then he recited the following elegy, "They have brought your head O grandson of Mohammad, which is drenched in blood, it is as if they have purposefully killed the Prophet in your stead during the light of the day, they killed you thirsty and did not honour the interpretation and revelation (of the Qur'an) regarding you, they pronounce the Takbeer (Allaho Akbar) after having killed you, when in fact they have killed the Takbeer and Tahleel (La Ilaha Illallah)".

It is related in Bihar, as also Manaqib, through chain of transmitters from Zayd, who relates from his fore-fathers, that Sahl bin Sa'ad said: I intended going to my house, when I entered the central territory of Syria, I reached a town in which streams were flowing and there were green trees. I saw that the town had been decorated and there was merry and rejoicing all around. While the women were beating the tambourine and drum and were busy in amusement. I said to myself that I was well aware of the celebrations of the Syrians, while that day was not a day for celebration. I saw a group of people speaking to one another. I went upto them and said, "You are celebrating in Syria of which I am unaware". They said, "As if you are from the desert?" I replied, "I am Sahl bin Sa'ad, one of the companions of Mohammad". They replied, "O Sahl! It is strange that the heavens do not rain blood nor does the earth swallow its inhabitants". I asked as to
why they said this and they replied, "How strange! The head of Husain has been brought from Iraq as a present, while these people rejoice". I said, "How strange! The head of Husain is being brought in and they rejoice?" I asked, "From which gate are they being entered in?" They pointed towards a door named Baab as Sa'at.

Suddenly I saw standards one after the other, and one horseman held a long pointless lance on which was mounted a head that resembled most to the Prophet of Allah with regards to his cheeks than anyone else. Following the head were the women monted upon saddleless camels. I went towards them and asked one of them, "Whose daughter are you?" She relied, "I am Sakinah, the daughter of Husain". I asked, "Do you have any desire ? I am Sahl bin Sa'ad, one of the companions of your Grandfather, the Prophet of Allah". She replied, "Tell the bearer of this head to take it


367 further away from our midst, so that the people may be busy in looking at it while the family of the Prophet of Allah may be relieved from their sight". I went to the bearer of the head and said, "Do you desire obtaining four hundred Ashrafi and in lieu of this fulfil my desire?" He asked as to what was it, and I replied, "Take this head further away from the midst of these women". He agreed and took the Ashrafi. They then put the head in a trunk and took it to the presence of Yazeed while I too accompanied them. Yazeed was seated upon a throne wearing a crown studded with pearls and rubies, while a group of the Qurayshite notables were seated near him. The bearer of the head entered therein and said, "Fill my stirrup with gold and silver, for I have killed the Master of the guarded ones, I have killed the best one with regards to father and mother, whose ancestry is the best one when the ancestry is discussed". Hearing this Yazeed said,
"If you knew that he was the best among men, why did you kill him?" He replied, "In greed for a gift from you". Yazeed ordered him to be beheaded and it was complied. Then he placed the head of Imam Husain in front of him and said, "How do you see this, O Husain?"

The author of Kamile Bahai relates the narration of Sahl bin Sa'ad briefly and says that he said, that I saw the heads mounted upon the lances while the head of Abbas bin Ali was in the forefront. The head of Imam Husain followed them while the women of the Prophet's family were behind the head. The head displayed magnificent awe while light emanated from it. A round beard, which had a few white hair in it and was dyed with Wasmah, seemed very much attractive. His eyes were large and dark, and eyebrows were joined together. His forehead was wide, nose long, while his lips were smiling raised towards the heavens, and his eyes were gazed towards the horizon. The wind was whirling his beard towards the right and left and it was as if he was the Commander of the faithful (Ali).

It is stated in the same book, that the Prophet's family was halted behind the door of Syria for three days, while the town was being decorated in a manner as was never seen before. Five hundred thousand Syrian men and women, accompanied by tambourines, cymbals and drums wore new dresses and prepared themselves and went towards them. It was Thursday, the sixteenth day of Rabi'ul Ula, while inside the town (the crowd of people) were similar to the day of resurrection and the people therein were rejoicing. When the day advanced further, the heads were entered into the city.

At the end of the day, with great difficulty, could they reach the gate of the palace of Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah due to the large crowd of men. A throne, studded with jewels, was laid for Yazeed and his house was decorated, while golden and silver chairs were kept surrounding his throne. The courtiers of


368 Yazeed ordered the bearers of the heads to enter therein and they complied. They said, "By the honour of the commander! We killed the Progeny of Abu Turab (Imam Ali) and severed their origins". Then they narrated the entire episode and laid the heads in front of him. The Ahlulbayt were imprisoned for a prolonged time, for sixty-six days, and during this period, there was none who could salute them. On that day an old Syrian man went to Imam Ali bin Husain and said, "Praise be to Allah that he has killed and destroyed you, and put off the fire of revolt".

Shaikh Mufeed says, that when they reached the gate of the palace of Yazeed, Makhfar bin Sa'labah called out, "I am Makhfar bin Sa'labah! I have brought these vile profligates (Allah's refuge) to Yazeed". Hearing this Imam Ali bin Husain said, "The son of Makhfar's mother is the worst and the most degraded". While some say that Yazeed himself replied to him thus.

Shaikh Sadooq in his Amali relates a report from a chamberlain of (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad, which we have already quoted in the section of the episode in the palace of Ibne Ziyad. It is said, that then he despatched his messengers to all the districts with the news of the death of Imam Husain. Then he ordered to despatch the captives and heads to Syria.

A group of men accompanying them told me, that we heard the sound of lamenting and mourning of the Genies for Imam Husain from the night until the morning. When we reached Damascus, we entered the women and the captives into the town during the light of the day. The oppressive Syrians said, "We have never ever seen such beautiful captives. Who are you?" Sayyedah Sakinah, the daughter of Imam Husain, replied, "We are the captives of the family of Mohammad". They were detained at the stairway of the mosque alongwith Imam Ali bin Husain (Zainul Abedeen), who was in his youth. An old man from among the Syrians approached them and said, "Praise be to Allah that He has killed and destroyed you and put off the fire of revolt". Then he said whatever he desired, and when he became silent, Imam Zainul Abedeen told him, "Have you read the Qur'an of Allah?" And he replied in the affirmative. He said, "Have you read this verse:
Say (O Our Messenger): I demand not of you any recompense for (the toils of the Prophethood) save the love of (my) relatives.' ?" He said, "Yes, I have". Imam said, "We are from that very family. Then have you not read this verse: And give to the near of kin his due." He replied that he had read it, and Imam Sajjad said, "We are one of those". Then he retorted, "Haven't you read this verse: Verily Allah intends but to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanliness O you the People of the House, and purify you (with) a thorough purification? He said, "Why not", and Imam said, "We are the ones referred to herein". Hearing this, the Syrian man lifted up his hands towards the heavens and said, "O Lord! I disassociate myself in Your presence from the enemies and the murderers of the progeny of Mohammad. I frequently read the Qur'an but never ever pondered upon this until today".

Shaikh Toosi relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that when Imam Ali bin Husain Zainul Abedeen returned after the martyrdom of his father, Ibraheem bin Talha bin Abdullah (or Ubaydullah) came to receive him and said, "O Ali bin Husain! Who was victorious?" Imam, who was in the midst of the litters (of Camels), and had covered his head, said,

"O you who desires to know who was victorious, recite the Azaan and Iqamah at the time of the Prayers".[2]

Notes:

[2] Ibraheem was the son of Talha bin Ubaydullah, who was opposed to Imam Ali and fought against him in the battle of Jamal, where he was killed. Ibraheem himself was from among the adherents of Mu'awiyah and in the above episode he precisely taunts Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen and covertly rejoices that the vengeance of the blood of his father had been secured from the progeny of Imam Ali. What Imam Sajjad meant here was that their motive, which was to preserve the tenets of Islam and its' permanence, establish Prayers and reinforce the remembrance of Allah, for which they sacrificed their entirety, had already been achieved. And the greatest evidence for it was the 'Call for Prayers', thus victory was decisively with none other than Imam Husain and his family.


It is related in Akhbarud Dawl of Daynoori, that (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad prepared Imam Zainul Abedeen and the ladies and despatched them to Yazeed alongwith Zahr bin Qays, Makhfar bin Sa'labah and Shimr bin Ziljawshan. They proceeded until they reached Syria, and entered Damascus alongwith the head of Imam Husain and presented it to Yazeed. Then Shimr started his speech and said, "O Commander of the faithful (Allah's refuge)! This man, alongwith eighteen men of his family and sixty from among his adherents, revolted against us. Thus we faced them and offered them to submit to the order of commander Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, or else fight us, and they preferred battle upon submission. We pounced upon them as soon as the sun arose… (until the end)" But the renowned historians relate, that these words were uttered by Zahr bin Qays, while we have already quoted it in the Section 11 of this book under the heading "Despatching the blessed head from Kufa to Syria".

Then the captives were brought to Yazeed, and the women from his family, his daughters and relatives lamented and wept. The head of Imam Husain was placed near Yazeed, Sayyedah Sakinah said, "I have not seen a more harsh man than Yazeed. Nor is any infidel and polytheist worst and more tyrant than him". He looked at the head and said, "I wish those of my elders killed at Badr see, the bemoaning of the Khazraj upon the deed of the sword". Then he ordered that the head of Imam Husain be hung upon the gate of the Mosque of Damascus.

Sibt Ibne Jawzee in his Tazkirah says, that the reports are quite renowned that when the head of Imam Husain was brought to Yazeed, he called for all the inhabitants of Syria. He hit the head with his bamboo stick and recited the above couplets of Ibne Zab'ari. He also says, that Zuhri said, that when the head of Imam Husain was brought, Yazeed was standing at Jeeroon to have a glimpse of the spectacle and was muttering the following couplets to himself: "When the litters became apparent and the sun casts its shadow upon the mound of Jeeroon, then the crow announced death, and I said whether you announce or no, I have taken the due from my debtor".

Ibne Abud Dunya relates, that when he (Yazeed) dug his stick into the rear teeth of Imam Husain, he recited the couplets of Haseen bin Hamam Murri: "We forbore, while forbearance is our hobby, we split open the heads of our friends with our swords, that severe the head and wrists, for they were more disobedient and more oppressive". Mujahid says, that by Allah! There was none who did not abuse or rebuke Yazeed or distance them selves from him. Ibne Abud Dunya says, that Abu Barzah Aslami was seated with Yazeed, and he said, "O Yazeed! Lift your stick off this head. By Allah! In the days of the Prophet of Allah, I saw him kissing his (Imam Husain's) rear teeth."

(Sibt) Ibne Jawzee in his Radd bar Muta'assib Aneed says, that one is not amazed by the deeds of Umar bin Sa'ad and Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, but one wonders at the wretchedness of Yazeed that he hit with his stick the lips and teeth of Imam Husain, and also his pillage of Madinah, then is it permissible to treat rebels in this manner? Is it not related in the Islamic laws that the rebels in Islam should be buried? Then his (Yazeed's) utterance that, "I have the right to imprison them", is not agreeable to the ones convinced of cursing him. I wish that when the head of Imam Husain was brought to him he had honoured it and recited the Prayers upon it. And he had not kept it in a tray nor had he struck at it with his stick, when he had achieved what he had desired through his death. But the rancor of the days of ignorance was ignited within himself and the proof is the couplets (as stated above) that he recited.[1]


Notes:

[1] Sibt Ibne Jawzee says, that my grandfather said, that it is not surprising that Ubaydullah bin Ziyad fought against Imam Husain and appointed Umar bin Sa'ad and Shimr to kill him and they took his head to him, but one is astonished at Yazid, who ascribed wretchedness to himself while hitting his stick at his


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Ibne Abd Rabbah Andalusi in his Iqdul Fareed, relates from Rayashi who relates through his chain of narrators from (Imam) Mohammad bin Ali bin Husain (al Baqir), that he said, that after the martyrdom of Imam Husain, we were total twelve children who were brought to Yazeed, while the eldest among us was (Imam) Ali bin Husain (Zainul Abedeen). All of us were bound in collars and chains from head to feet. He (Yazeed) told us, "The slaves of Iraq besieged you while I was unaware of the revolt of Abu Abdullah (Imam Husain) and his martyrdom".

Shaikh Ibne Nima says, that (Imam) Ali bin Husain said, that we were twelve children who were taken to the presence of Yazeed bound in collars and chains. When we stood facing him, I said, "I say to you in the name of Allah, O Yazeed! In your opinion if the Prophet of Allah would have seen us in this state, what would have been the state of his mind?" Hearing this he turned towards the Syrians and said, "What do you opine regarding them?" One of the accursed uttered such harsh words, that I do not wish to repeat. Then No'man bin Basheer said, "Treat them as the Prophet would have treated them if he saw them in this distressed state".

Fatemah binte Husain said, "O Yazeed! These are the daughters of the Prophet who have been captivated". Hearing this, the men started weeping, while the family of Yazeed lamented. Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen says, that I was bound in chains and said, "Do you permit me to say something?" Yazeed replied, "You may do so, but do not speak rudely". I said, "I am in a state in which I would not speak rudely, while the essence of my speech is that in your opinion what would the Prophet of Allah feel and what would he do if he would see me bound in chains?" Hearing this he turned towards those close to him and said, "Release him".

It is quoted in Ithbaat al-Wasiyyah of Mas'oodi, that when Imam Husain was martyred, Imam Zainul Abedeen was brought to the presence of Yazeed alongwith the family, while his son Abu Ja'far (Imam Mohammad Baqir), who was two years and some months old, was also alongwith him. When Yazeed looked at him, he said, "O Ali! What did you behold?" Imam replied, "That what had been decreed by Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, before the creation of the heavens and the earth". Then Yazeed asked for the opinion of those who were present with him, while all of them consented upon his murder and uttered such futile words that I do not wish to quote. Then Imam Mohammad al Baqir started his speech. He praised and glorified Allah (Imam's) teeth and captivating the progeny of the Prophet (s.a.w.s.). Then he made them mount the Camels devoid of litters and desired to gift away Fatemah binte Husain to a man who had desired from him. And it is also astonishing that he uttered the couplets of Ibne Zab'ari.


372 and said, "They have opined to you as opposed to the opinion of the courtiers of Pharaoh. When he (Pharaoh) asked their opinions regarding Prophet Moosa and Prophet Haroon, they said: Give respite to him and his brother. While these people opine that you should kill us, whilst there is a reason for this". Yazeed asked, "What reason?" Imam replied, "They were sons of sober women while these men are the sons of unchaste women. For none other than the illegitimate sons would kill the Prophets and their progeny". Hearing this Yazeed bowed down his head (in shame).

It is quoted in Tazkirah of Sibt Ibne Jawzee, that Imam Zainul Abedeen and the women of the family were bound in ropes, while he was calling out, "O Yazeed! In your opinion, if the Prophet would have seen us in this captivated state and mounted upon the bare Camels without litters, what would have been the state of his mind?" There was none who did not weep.

Shaikh Mufeed and Ibne Shahr Ashob say, that when the heads of the Martyrs, alongwith that of Imam Husain, was placed before Yazeed, he hit the teeth with his stick and said, "This day is in lieu (revenge) of the day of Badr. We split open the skulls of the honourable men, for they had turned obstinate and oppressive". Yahya bin Hakam, the brother of Marwan, who was seated near Yazeed said, "The one killed at Taff (Karbala) is more near (in relation) than the son of Ziyad, the debased, of unknown descent; the progeny of Umayyah is scattered like the particles of sand, while the progeny of the daughter of Prophet is scarce". Yazeed struck at the chest of Yahya bin Hakam and said, "Keep quite! May your mother not remain".

Abul Faraj Isfahani relates from Kalbi, that Abdul Rahman, the son of Hakam bin Aas, was seated with Yazeed, when Ubaydullah despatched the head of Imam Husain to him. When the tray, containing the head of Imam, was placed in front of Yazeed, Abdul Rahman wept and said, "Send message to the commander, that do not be of those who pull the (string of the) bow without an arrow in it, the one killed at Karbala…" (until the end).

It is related, that when Hasan bin Hasan saw that Yazeed was hitting at the place where the Prophet had kissed (the lips of Imam Husain), he said, "O disgrace! The progeny of Umayyah is scattered like the particles of sand, while the progeny of the daughter of Prophet is scarce".

Our Master Shaikh Sadooq relates from Fazl bin Shazan who says that I heard Imam Ali ar Reza say that,

"When the head of Imam Husain was brought to Syria, Yazeed ordered it to be kept upon the ground and an eating carpet was spread in front of it. He then ate facing it with his associates and drank wine. When they had finished, he ordered the tray to be kept below his throne. And he spread the sheet of backgammon upon the throne and started playing. He started


373 mocking, while uttering the names of Imam Husain, his father and grandfather, and when he would win, he would drink wine. Three times he drank wine and then threw some of it near the tray (May Allah's curse be upon him). Then whoever is one of our Shi'ah, should refrain from drinking wine and playing backgammon. Then whoever, when his sight falls upon wine and backgammon, remembers Imam Husain and curses Yazeed and his progeny, Allah will forgive their sins even if they be equal to the stars".

It is also related from Imam Ali ar Reza, that the first one to consume wine in Islam in Syria (openly) was Yazeed, the accursed. When the eating-carpet was spread facing the head of Imam Husain, it was brought for him. He drank from it and gave some to his associates and said, "Drink it, for it is an auspicious drink. While one of its auspiciousness is that at the start of consuming it, the head of our enemy Husain is in front of us, while our eating-carpet is spread facing his head. And we eat with a cheerful mind and heart at peace". Then whoever is amongst our Shi'ah should refrain from consuming wine, for it is a drink of our enemies.

It is quoted in Kamile Bahai from Kitabe Hawiyah that Yazeed drank wine and sprinkled some of it upon the blessed head (Allah's refuge). His wife lifted it up and washed it with water, while perfuming it with rose. Then at night she saw the 'Mistress of the Women' Sayyedah Fatemah Zahra in a dream and apologised to her.

Shaikh Mufeed says, that Yazeed then turned towards Imam Zainul Abedeen and said, "Your father severed relations with me and did not recognise my right, and he disputed with me regarding the kingdom. Then you saw what Allah did to him". Imam replied, "Befalls not any disaster in the earth or in your own selves, save it is in a Book, ere We cause to be, verily that is easy for Allah". Yazeed turned towards his son Khalid and said, "Answer him", but Khalid did not know what to say. Yazeed himself said, "Say: And whatever befalls you of a misfortune, it is what your (own) hands have wrought. " Then he called for the women and children, who were made to sit down facing him. He looked at their miserable state and said, "May Allah detest the son of Marjanah! If he held relations with you, or had pitied you, he would not have dealt with you in this manner and would not have despatched you in this wretched state".

Ali bin Ibraheem Qummi relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that when the head of Imam Husain and the daughters of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali were brought to Yazeed, Imam Zainul Abedeen was bound in a collar. Yazeed said, "O Ali bin Husain! Praise be to Allah that he has killed your father". Imam replied, "May Allah's curse be upon them who killed my father". Yazeed was infuriated and ordered him to be beheaded. Imam Sajjad said, "If you kill me, then who is there to reach the daughters of the Prophet of Allah to their destination, and there exists no other intimate man for them except myself." Yazeed said, "You may take them to their destination", saying this he immediately called for a file. He cut off the collar with the file with his own hands and said, "Do you perceive what I intend?" Imam replied, "You intend that none other than yourself would oblige me". Yazeed replied, "By Allah! I intended the same". Then he said, "O Ali bin Husain! And whatever befalls you of a misfortune; it is what your (own) hands have wrought. Imam replied,

"Nay! This verse was not revealed regarding us. Verily this verse was revealed regarding us that, Befalls not any disaster in the earth or in your own selves, save it is in a Book, ere We cause to be verily that is easy for Allah. Lest distress you yourselves for what escapes you, and be overjoyous for what He has granted you and Allah loves not an arrogant boaster. We are of those who do not regret upon that which has gone forth from our hands, nor are we of those who rejoice upon that which comes to us".


It is stated in Iqdul Fareed, that Imam Husain was enraged by the sovereignty of Yazeed bin Mu'awiyah and went towards Kufa. Yazeed wrote to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, who was the governor of Iraq, "News has reached me that Husain is en route to Kufa, while your age and your city has been entangled in him than any other age or city, and also among the governors you have been entangled in him. Therefore you may choose a life of liberty (by killing him) or turn a slave due to him (by not killing him)". Ubaydullah killed him and despatched his head, alongwith his family, to Yazeed. When the head was placed before Yazeed, he cited a proverb by quoting a couplet of Haseen bin Jamajim Maznee: We split open the skulls of honourable men, for they had turned obstinate and oppressive". Imam Ali bin Husain, who was among the captives, told him, "The book of Allah, the Almighty, is more exalted than the couplet. Allah says: Befalls not any disaster in the earth or in your own selves, save it is in a Book, ere We cause it to be verily that is easy for Allah. Lest distress you yourselves for what escapes you, and be overjoyous for what He has granted you, and Allah loves not an arrogant boaster". Yazeed was enraged and started playing with his beard, then said, "Another verse of the Qur'an refers to you and your father: And whatever befalls you of a misfortune, it is what your (own) hands have wrought... O Syrians! What do you opine regarding them?" One of the accursed men uttered such words that we decline to quote. No'man bin Basheer Ansari said, "If the Prophet of Allah would have seen him in this state what would he have done, then treat them similarly". Yazeed replied, "You speak the truth, release them and bring veils for them". He then ordered food to be prepared for them and bestowed clothes to them. He gave them abundant gifts and said, "If the son of Marjanah shared any relation with them, he would not have killed them". Then he despatched them to Madinah.

It is stated in Manaqib and other historical books, that then Yazeed turned towards Sayyedah Zainab, so that she may speak, but she signaled towards Imam Ali bin Husain, saying, "He is our master and the orator of our community". Imam Sajjad said, "Do not place avarice and greed in your heart for us, that you may reward us and we may honour you, and that you may oppress us while we may ward away oppression from you. Allah is witness that we do not like you, nor do we despise that you do not like us". Yazeed said, "O son! You speak the truth. Rather your father, and grandfather, had desired to acquire sovereignty. Praise be to Allah that He killed them and shed their blood". Imam replied, "Prophethood and Imamate has always been decreed for my fathers and ancestors long before you were even born". With reference to this, Sayyedah Sakinah said, "I have not seen a more harsh man than Yazeed. Nor have I seen an infidel and
polytheist worst and more tyrant than him".

It is related in Manaqib from Yahya bin Hasan, that Yazeed told Imam Zainul Abedeen, "I wonder at your father who named all his sons Ali". Imam replied, "My father loved his father very much and hence named his sons Ali".

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says, that the head of Imam Husain was placed facing Yazeed, while the women were seated behind his throne, so that they may not look at it. Imam Zainul Abedeen looked at the head and then never ever ate the flesh of the head after that. When the sight of Sayyedah Zainab fell upon it, she tore her collar and called out in a grievous voice, "O Husain! O beloved of the Prophet of Allah! O son of Makkah and Mina! O son of Fatemah az Zahra, Mistress of the womenfolk! O son of the daughter of Mustafa"! The narrator says, that whoever was in the presence of Yazeed started weeping, while Yazeed himself remained silent. One of the women of Bani Hashim, who was in the house of Yazeed, started lamenting for Imam Husain, and called out, "O beloved! O Master of the Prophet's family! O son of Mohammad! O refuge of the widows and orphans! O the one killed by the illegitimate ones"! The narrator says that
whoever heard her started weeping.


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"The act which makes the heart shift from it's firm place, and burns the heart with the fire of anger and rage, is the standing of the `Daughters of Revelation' in front of their freed one, in a manner that even their enemies weep for them".

Then Yazeed called for a bamboo stick and hit at the teeth of Imam Husain. Seeing this, Abu Barzah Aslami said, "Woe be to you O Yazeed! You hit the teeth of Husain with your stick? I bear witness that I have seen the Prophet kiss his teeth as well as that of his brother Hasan". Then he continued, "Both of you are the Masters of the youth of Paradise. May Allah kill your murderers and descend His wrath upon them. And may Allah prepare hell for them, and what an evil end shall it be". The narrator says, that hearing this Yazeed was enraged, and said, "Get him out of here". He was dragged and thrown outside. Then Yazeed recited the couplets of Ibne Zab'ari: "I wish those of my clan, who were killed at Badr, and those who had seen the Khazraj clan wailing (in the battle of Uhad) on account of lancet wounds, were here. They would have hailed me with loud cries and said, 'O Yazeed! May your hands never stupefy', for we have killed
the chiefs of his (the Prophet's) clan. I did so as revenge for Badr, which has now been completed. The Bani Hashim only played a game with sovereignty. There has come no Message (Risalah, from Allah), nor was anything revealed (as Wahy). I would not belong to the Khandaq family, if I had not taken vengeance upon the descendants of Ahmad for their deeds".

Sayyedah Zainab's sermon in the presence of Yazeed, the accursed, on the first of the month of Safar
The narrator says that Sayyedah Zainab, the daughter of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib, arose and said,

"All praise be to the Lord of the worlds! And blessings of Allah upon His Messenger and his entire progeny! How true has Allah, the Glorious, said: Then evil was the end of those who wrought evil, for they belied the Signs of Allah, and at them they used to mock. O Yazeed! Now when you have locked the paths of the earth and the horizon of the heavens upon us, and driven us similar to the captives, do you presume that we are degraded in the eyes of Allah while you are endeared? While you have acquired an eminent and lofty status near Allah due to this? So you look down upon us and become arrogant, elated, and you rejoice that the world has turned towards you? You assume that your task is organized, while your sovereignty and kingdom pleases you? Gradually you seem to have forgotten the words of Allah, the Mighty, the Sublime, 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 disgraceful chastisement. Is this the custom of justice that you sit your women-folk and maids behind the veils, while you captivate and parade the daughters of the Prophet of Allah? You snatch the veils off them and leave them open, while their enemies parade them from one town to another, and the inhabitants of every stream and town have a glimpse of them? And all intimate and non-intimate look at them, as also the mean and noblemen, when they do not have alongwith them their men or support? What vigilance can one expect from them who have eaten the liver of the virtuous ones, and whose flesh has emerged (by cosuming) from the blood of martyrs? How could he lessen his envy towards us, who looks at us, the Ahlulbayt, with the sight of arrogance, enmity and resent? And he boldly declares that 'they would have hailed me with cries and said: O Yazeed may your hands never stupefy'! Then you turn towards the teeth of Abu Abdullah, the Master of the youth of Paradise, and strike it with the stick of your hand? Then why would you not say so? You have sent the wound to its bottom, and you have uprooted the origins by shedding the blood of the Progeny of Mohammad and the stars of earth from the descendants of Abdul Muttalib. Then you call out to your forefathers and in your assumption you summon them? Very soon you too shall face their conclusion, and then you will desire you were paralysed and were dumb so as not to have uttered these words, nor would you have possessed this character.

O Lord! Take away our rights from them and seek revenge from our oppressors, and send forth Your wrath upon those who have shed our blood and killed our aides. By Allah! You have torn your own skin and have ripped your own flesh, and you shall go to His presence with the heavy burden of having shed the blood of the progeny of the Prophet and violating the sanctity of his family and adherents, at a place where Allah will have united their dispersed ones and increased the quantity of their scattered ones, and present to them their rights. And reckon not those who are slain in the way of Allah, to be dead! Alive they are with their Lord being sustained. Allah is sufficient as a judge upon you and the Prophet will be your enemy supported by Jibra'eel. Very soon will your father, who set forth the kingdom for you and sat you upon the neck of the Muslims, realise what an evil place awaits the oppressors.

What an evil place you have acquired and what a feeble army you possess. Nonetheless, the unpleasant circumstances have made me speak to you; while I consider your status to be quite low and your reproach to be large, as also I consider scoffing you abundantly. But the eyes are manifest and hearts volley. Beware! It is astonishing that the army of the noblemen of Allah be killed at the hands of the army of the freed-ones, the Satans. These are the very hands that have clenched our blood, and these are the very jaws that have devoured our flesh. While these are the chaste and radiant corpses who are guarded, time and again, by the wolves, and hyenas strew sand upon them. And now when you consider us to be booty, this is for what sent before your hands (what you did in your life), and that (verily) Allah is not unjust to his servants. I complain to Allah and rely on Him Alone. Then you may lay whatever traps you have, and take thou whatever steps you desire, and endeavor as much as you want. By Allah! You shall never be able to wipe out our remembrance nor oust our inspiration from the midst, nor will you be able to wipe off the disgrace of this episode. Your opinion is erroneous, and your days less, while your group is scattered on the day when the caller will announce: Beware! (Now) Verily the curse of Allah is on the unjust. Praise be to the Lord of the worlds, Who ended felicity upon our beginning with forgiveness, and Who destined martyrdom for our conclusion with blessings. I desire from Allah to complete His reward upon them, and increase it further, and to turn with fairness their succession upon us, for He is Merciful and a Friend. Allah is (quite) sufficient for us and the most Excellent Protector is (He)".

Yazeed, in reply to this lengthy and significant speech of Sayyedah Zainab, said, "Lamentation of the aggrieved women is admirable, but death is easy upon the lamenting women". In the letter of Ibne Abbas addressed to Yazeed, it is written that the worst reproach for him was that, "You captivated the women-folk and children of the Prophet of Allah from Iraq to Syria and plundered them and displayed your power upon us for the people to behold? You subdued us and dominated the Progeny of the Prophet of Allah. Then in your opinion you revenged the blood of the infidels and wicked ones of Badr from your family. Then you revealed your hidden revenge, and you manifested your envy similar to the fire concealed in a flint-stone. You, as well as your father, took the excuse of revenge for the blood of Usman. Woe of the Judge of the day of retribution be upon you! By Allah! Even if you remain safe from the stroke of my sword, you shall be
grinded by the sword of my tongue. Sand be in your mouth O evil-doer! O ill-omened one! You are worthy of stones and reproach. If today you have gained victory upon us, do not be deceived, for tomorrow we shall succeed in the presence of the Just Ruler, Whose judgment is not contradictory (to the truth). And very soon He shall engulf you in a grievous state, and shall make you leave this world as an innate evil, deprived and guilty. May your father never remain! Feast as much as you desire, for your sins will multiply in the presence of Allah. And peace will be unto him who follows the guidance".

Shaikh Mufeed relates from Sayyedah Fatemah bintul Husain, that when we were seated in the presence of Yazeed, he pitied our state. A red-faced man from among the Syrians arose and said, "O Commander of the faithful (Allah's refuge)! Present this girl to me", and by this he meant me. I trembled and presumed that this was easy for them. I clung to the lap of my aunt Zainab who knew that this could never happen. My aunt told the Syrian, "By Allah! You lie! And you revealed your mean nature. You nor he has any authority to do so". Yazeed was enraged and said, "It is you who lie! By Allah! I do have the right to do so". Sayyedah Zainab replied, "No, by Allah! Allah has not given you the authority unless you leave our nation and accept another religion". Hearing this Yazeed's anger increased two-fold and he shouted, "You speak to me in this manner? Verily it was your father and your brother who left the religion (Allah's refuge)". Sayyedah
Zainab replied, "If you are a Muslim, then you, as well as your grandfather and father, reached the right path by the Religion of Allah and the Religion of my father and my brother". Hearing this Yazeed said, "O enemy of Allah (Allah's refuge)! You speak a lie". Sayyedah Zainab said, "You have the sovereignty, and you abuse with oppression and you reprimand anyone by the power of your rule". Hearing this Yazeed was abashed and remained silent. Then the Syrian man repeated his request to present him the girl, and Yazeed shouted, "Get away! May Allah kill you".[1] Sibt Ibne Jawzee in his Tazkiratul Khawaas, relates from Hisham bin Mohammad (Kalbi), while Shaikh Sadooq in his Amali, and Ibne Aseer in his Kamil relate this episode briefly, while both of them (Sadooq & Ibne Aseer) attribute this to Fatemah binte Ali instead of Fatemah bintul Husain.

Notes:

[1] It is narrated in the Maqtal of Ibne Nima, that the Syrians came to congratulate Yazid for his victory. A red-faced and blue-eyed man from among them looked at Fatemah bintul Husain, who possessed an illuminating countenance, and then said, "O Commander of the faithful (Allah's refuge)! Present this girl to me". Fatemah turned towards her aunt and said, "I have become an orphan, now should I also become a slave"? Sayyedah Zainab said, "No, by Allah, O Syrian! This is not possible for you nor Yazid, unless you leave our Religion". The Syrian repeated his request, and Yazid replied, "May Allah kill you". Then he recited the couplets of Ibne Zab'ari. Thereafter the daughter of Imam Ali arose and recited the sermon. Then Yazid called for an orator and ordered him to ascend the pulpit. Here he repeats the narration of Sayyed Ibne Tawoos, which we shall quote hereafter.


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It is related in Malhoof, that a Syrian man looked at Fatemah bintul Husain, and said, "O Commander of the faithful (Allah's refuge)! Present this girl to me". Fatemah turned towards her aunt and said, "O aunt! Hasten to my aid! I have become an orphan, should I also become a slave?" She replied, "The immoral man has no authority". The Syrian asked, "Whose daughter is she?" and Yazeed replied, "She is Fatemah, the daughter of Husain, while she is Zainab, the daughter of Ali". The Syrian asked, "Husain, the son of Fatemah and Ali bin Abi Talib?" and Yazeed replied in the affirmative. Hearing this, the Syrian said, "May Allah's curse be upon you O Yazeed! You kill the progeny of the Prophet and arrest his family? I presumed them to be Roman captives". Yazeed said, "I shall despatch you to them", saying this he ordered him to beheaded.

It is quoted in the Amali of Shaikh Sadooq, that Yazeed ordered the women-folk of Imam Husain alongwith Imam Zainul Abedeen to be imprisoned in a cell in which they would not be able to save themselves from heat or cold. They remained there until the flesh of their faces peeled and cracked.

It is related in Malhoof, that Yazeed called for an orator and ordered him to ascend the pulpit and abuse Imam Husain and his father. He ascended the pulpit and started abusing the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali and Imam Husain, and praised Mu'awiyah and Yazeed. (Imam) Ali bin Husain called out to him,

"O you who preach! You have bought the wrath of the Creator in lieu of the pleasure of the creatures. While your place is the hell".

How appropriate has Ibne Sinan Khafaji praised the Commander of the faithful, "You abuse upon the pulpit the one, by means of whose sword you have acquired the pulpit".

We (the author), say, that Khafaji is Abu Mohammad Abdullah bin Mohammad bin Sinan, a poet renowned as Ibne Sinan. He is connected to Khafajah tribe of Bani Amir, while these couplets are recited by him too, "O the nation that has turned infidel although they recite the Qur'an, that contains reproach and guidance for them, you abuse upon the pulpit the one, by whose sword you have acquired the pulpit, you have filled your heart with envy from the days of (the battle of) Badr, while the martyrdom of Husain is the outcome of one of the numerous concealed envies".


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Imam Ali bin Husain's sermon
It is quoted in Bihaar al-Anwaar, while the Author of Manaqib and others relate, that Yazeed ordered a pulpit to be prepared, and then he called for an orator. He ordered him to rebuke Imam Husain and Imam Ali and report their tasks in front of the men. The orator ascended the pulpit and praised Allah and eulogised Him, and abused Imam Ali and Imam Husain abundantly. Then he prolonged praising Mu'awiyah and Yazeed and attributed numerous good deeds to them until Imam Ali bin Husain called out to him, saying, "O you who preach! Woe be to you! You have bought the wrath of the Creator in lieu of the pleasure of the creatures, while your place is the hell". Then he turned towards Yazeed and said, "Do you permit me to speak that which would be agreeable to Allah and would be a means of reward for those present?" Yazeed refused to do so, while the people said, "Permit him to ascend the pulpit, perhaps we may hear something
(worthwhile) from him ". Yazeed replied, "If I permit him to mount the pulpit, he shall not descend it until he humiliates me and the progeny of Abu Sufyan". They said, "How could this ailing youth do so?" Yazeed replied, "He comes from a family that has consumed wisdom alongwith the milk from their infancy". They compelled until he relented, and Imam ascended the pulpit. He praised and eulogised Allah and delivered a sermon that made the eyes weep and hearts shiver. Then he said, "O people! We have been bestowed six qualities and seven merits (by Allah). Knowledge, forbearance, munificence, eloquence, valour and friendship in the hearts of the believers are present in us. While our merits are that the Prophet in Authority is from amongst us; the Truthful (Imam Ali) is from amongst us; the Flyer (Ja'far at Tayyar) is from amongst us; the Lion of Allah, and that of His Prophet, is from amongst us; while also the two Sibtain [1] of this nation are
from amongst us. Those who know me, know me, while those who do not know me, I reveal my pedigree and ancestry for them until they recognise me. O people! I am the son of Makkah and of Mina! [2] I am the son of Zamzam [3]and Safa![4] I am the son of the one who lifted the Black Stone


Notes:

[1] Referred to Imam Hasan and Imam Husain.

[2] A place 3 miles from Makkah where pilgrims halt on the 10th, 11th and 12th of the month of Zilhaj, as part of the essentials of Haj.

[3] A sacred well in the Ka'bah which sprang forth to quench the thirst of Prophet Isma'eel when he rubbed his feet on the ground, rediscovered by Hazrat Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.) and Imam Ali.

[4] A hillock in Makkah close to the Ka'bah.


382 (Hajar al Aswad) by the side of his quilt.[1] I am the son of the best one who adorned the trousers and cloak. I am the son of the best ones who circumambulated (the Ka'bah) and performed the Sa'ee.[2] I am the son of the best ones who performed the Haj and pronounced the Talbiyah.[3] I am the son of the one who was taken upto the Masjid al Aqsa at night (during Ascension, Me'raj ). I am the son of the one who was taken upto the Sidrat al Muntaha. [4] I am the son of the one 'who drew nigh and became pending (in between the creation and the Creator)' (referring to the Night of Ascension when the Prophet drew near to Allah ). I am the son of the one 'who was (nigh) the measure between the two bows (facing each other) or higher still' (again referred to the Night of Me'raj) . I am the son of the one 'who was bestowed revelation by the Almighty, what He did reveal' (Again referring to the night of Me'raj. For all the above verses refer Surah
an Najm). I am the son of Husain, the one killed at Karbala! I am the son of Ali, the


Notes:

[1] In the year when Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.) was about 35 years of age, the structure of the Ka'bah was badly dilapidated either by floods, or according to another version, by fire, and had to be rebuilt. The Quraysh decided to put up a new construction and when the new walls were raised high enough for the Hajar al Aswad (the black stone) to be set in one of its corners, differences cropped up amongst the different tribes as to who should have the distinction of fixing the Sacred Black Stone. It was essentially decided to refer the matter to arbitration to whosoever first enters the area from the door of the Bani Shaibah, while the first to enter was Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.) himself. The matter was accordingly referred to him for his final verdict, whereupon he suggested that the Sacred Black Stone be kept in a big mantle and a representative of each tribe should lift the cloak with the stone placed in it. When that was done, Prophet (s.a.w.s.)
himself lifted up the stone from the mantle and fixed it in its predetermined position. In this way, a serious dispute was settled amicably to the entire satisfaction of all the tribes, Imam Zainul Abedeen points out this distinction of his grandfather (s.a.w.s.) in this sermon.

[2] Hastening between the two hillocks of Safa and Marwah by the pilgrims, as an essential part of Haj, performed in remembrance of Hajra, the wife of Prophet Ibraheem, who ran to and fro between the 2 hillocks searching for water for her infant son Prophet Isma'eel.

[3] Special pronouncements to be recited while adorning the Ihram and thereafter, one of the essentials of Haj.

[4] The Lote-tree at the 'All Comprehensive Terminal', the point where ends and ceases all the knowledge of everyone and no one's knowledge crosses the limit. It is said that when Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.) reached the point of 'Sidrat al Muntaha', Jibra'eel said, "I shall not step an inch further from this". The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) passed that point too and it is a symbol making the extreme bounds at last limit of the heavenly knowledge beyond which neither an Angel nor any human being could pass. (S.V.Mir Ahmed Ali in his interpretation of Verse 14 of Surah an Najm.


383 Approved One! I am the son of Mohammad, the Chosen One! I am the son of Fatemah az Zahra! I am the son of Sidrat al Muntaha! I am the son of 'the Blessed Tree'![1] I am the son of the one who was smeared in blood and sand. I am the son of the one who was lamented upon by the genie in the darkness of the night. I am the son of the one who was mourned upon by the birds".

It is quoted in Kamile Bahai, that Imam Zainul Abedeen had told Yazeed to let him deliver the sermon on Friday, and he yielded. On Friday, Yazeed ordered an accursed one to ascend the pulpit and abuse Imam Ali and Imam Husain as much he could, and also praise and thank Caliph Umar and Caliph Abu Bakr. The accursed ascended the pulpit and said whatever he desired. Then Imam said, "Permit me so that I may deliver a sermon". Yazeed refused to fulfill his promise and did nor grant him permission. People compelled him but he did not yield until his infant son Mu'awiyah said, "O father! Where can his sermon lead? Permit him to deliver a sermon". Yazeed replied, "You are not aware of their task, they have received wisdom and eloquence as inheritance, and I fear lest his sermon might give rise to mutiny and revolve upon our heads". Then he permitted him and Imam ascended the pulpit and said, "Praise be to Allah Who has no beginning,
and the Everlasting Who has no end. The foremost Whose beginning has no beginning, and the Last Whose end has no end. All will perish, except His Ownself. He measures the days and nights and prepares the destinies, and blessed is Allah, the King, and the All-Knowing". Then he continued his sermon saying, "Allah has bestowed us with Knowledge, forbearance, munificence, eloquence, valour and friendship in the hearts of the believers. While our merit is that the Prophet in Authority is from amongst us; and his Vicegerent (Imam Ali) is from amongst us; as also the Master of Martyrs (Hamza) and Ja'far, the one who flies in Paradise; while also the two Sibtain of this nation are from amongst us. While also the Mahdi (a.t.f.s.); who will kill the 'Dajjal'. O people! Those who know me, know me, while those who do not know me, I reveal my pedigree and ancestry for them until they recognise me. O people! I am the son of Makkah and of Mina! I am the son of Zamzam
and Safa! I am the son of the one who lifted the Black Stone (Hajar al Aswad) by the side of his quilt. I am the son of the best one who adorned the trousers and cloak. I am the son of the best ones who


Notes:

[1] Refer to the Qur'anic Verse: Of a goodly word (being) like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) in the heavens. Imam Ja'far as Sadiq relates that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, "I am the root of the goodly tree, Ali bin Abi Talib it's trunk, and the Divinely chosen ones of the issues of Ali are it's branches, while the faithful ones attached to the Holy Ahlulbayt are it's leaves.


384 circumambulated (the Ka'bah) and performed the Sa'ee. I am the son of the best ones who performed the Haj and pronounced the Talbiyah. I am the son of the one who was taken upto the Masjid al Aqsa at night (during Ascension, Me'raj). I am the son of the one who was taken upto the Sidrat al Muntaha. I am the son of the one 'who drew nigh and became pending (in between the creation and the Creator)' (referring to the Night of Ascension when the Prophet drew near to Allah). I am the son of the one 'who was (nigh) the measure between the two bows (facing each other) or higher still' (again referred to the Night of Me'raj). I am the son of the one 'who was bestowed revelation by the Almighty, what He did reveal'. I am the son of Husain, the one killed at Karbala! I am the son of Ali, the Approved One! I am the son of Mohammad, the Chosen One! I am the son of Fatemah az Zahra! I am the son of Sidrat al Muntaha! I am
the son of 'the Blessed Tree'! I am the son of the one who was smeared in blood and sand. I am the son of the one who was lamented upon by the genie in the darkness of the night. I am the son of the one who was mourned upon by the birds". When his sermon reached at this stage, people started weeping and lamenting, and Yazeed feared lest it might result in a revolt. He called out to the Mu'ezzin (Prayer caller) saying, "Give the call for the Prayers". The Mu'ezzin arose and said, "Allah is Great! Allah is Great"! Imam said, "Verily Allah is Great, and the Most High, and the most Honourable and the Most Kind than what I fear and of what I avoid"! Then he said, "I bear witness that there is no other deity except Allah", Imam said, "Verily I too bear witness with others that there is no other Deity except Allah, and no other Lord except Him, while I reject every denier". When he said, "I bear witness that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah",
Imam removed his turban from his head and turned towards the Mu'ezzin saying, "I request you in the name of this very Mohammad, remain silent for a moment". Then he turned towards Yazeed, and said, "O Yazeed! This Honourable and Noble Messenger is my Grandfather or yours'? If you say that he is your grandfather, then the entire world knows that you speak a lie. And if you say that he is my grandfather, then why did you kill my father with tyranny, and plunder his belongings and captivate his women-folk?" Saying this the Imam tore his collar and wept and said, "By Allah! There is none except myself upon this earth whose grandfather is the Prophet of Allah. Why did these men kill my father with tyranny and arrest us similar to the Romans?" Then he retorted, "O Yazeed! You do this and then say that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah and turn your face towards the Qibla (in Prayers)? Woe be to you on that day
when


385 my Grandfather and Father will be enraged with you". Hearing this, Yazeed ordered the Mu'ezzin to give the Iqamah [order to stand] for Prayers. People started murmuring and turmoil arose among them. Then a group of people offered prayers alongwith him, while some did not until they had dispersed. Then Sayyedah Zainab sent a message to Yazeed, saying that he should permit them to mourn upon Imam Husain. He permitted them and gave them residence at Daar al Hijarah. They held mourning gathering at that place for seven days, and every day a large multitude of Syrian women accompanied them in the mourning. The men gathered and decided to storm the palace of Yazeed and kill him. Marwan (bin Hakam) became aware of this conspiracy and told Yazeed, "It is not in your interest to keep the family of Husain in Syria. Despatch them back to Hijaz". Yazeed ordered the provisions for their journey to be gathered and despatched them to Madinah.

It is related in Manaqib from Madaeni, that when Imam Zainul Abedeen revealed his identity to the people and they understood that they were the Progeny of the Prophet, Yazeed ordered one of his headsman to take him to a small garden and kill him and then bury him there. The headsman took Imam to the garden and started digging a grave. Imam Zainul Abedeen started reciting the Prayers, and when he tried to kill him, a hand appeared and caught hold of him and flung him face downwards upon the ground. He started yelling and became unconscious. Khalid, the son of Yazeed, heard his voice and went to his rescue, but saw that he had died. He went and informed his father (Yazeed), who ordered the headsman to be buried in that grave and he granted liberty to Imam.

The prison in which Imam Zainul Abedeen was kept in captivity has been turned into a Mosque today. The author of Basaer says that Imam Ja'far as Sadiq relates, that when Imam Zainul Abedeen was brought to the presence of Yazeed alongwith the captives, he gave them residence in a dilapidated house. One of them said that, "We were kept in that house so that it would fall upon our heads and kill us". The guards said to one another in the Roman language that, "Look at them, that they fear lest the house would fall upon them, when tomorrow all of them shall be killed". Imam Zainul Abedeen says that, "None among them, except myself, could understand their Roman language". Our master Muhaddis Noori, as well as Allamah Majlisi, quotes from Da'wat of Qutbuddin Rawandi, that he says, it is related, that when Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen was brought to Yazeed, he desired to kill him too. He made him stand in front of him and inquired from him, so as to get an answer for him which would act as a pretense to kill him. Imam spoke to him cautiously and had held a rosary in his hand that he would turn with his fingers while speaking to him. Yazeed said, "I am engrossed in speaking to you, while you recite the rosary? How is this act permissible?" Imam replied : My father relates from my grandfather, the Prophet, that when he would have ended his morning Prayers, he would not speak to anyone until he held the rosary. Then he would say, "O Lord! I have made the morning and am eulogising You, praising You and reciting the 'Tahleel'[1] and 'Takbeer'[2] and extolling You equaling the turning of the rosary". Then he would turn the rosary in his hands, and would speak to whomsoever he desired while glorifying Allah. Then he would say, "The reward of glorification is due for him, and acts as a protection for him until he goes to bed". And when he would go to bed, he would recite the same and then keep the rosary under his head, and reward would be accounted for him until the morning, while I am imitating the act of my grandfather.
Yazeed repeatedly said, "Whatever I say to anyone from among you, you emerge as victors in your answers". Saying this he laid his hands off him and bestowed gifts to him while releasing him. Regarding his reference to his grandfather, he meant the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali, and perhaps he meant the Prophet of Allah, particularly since the one with whom he spoke was not inclined towards Imam Ali.

It is stated in Malhoof, that on that day, Yazeed promised Imam Zainul Abedeen that he would fulfill three of his desires. Then he ordered them to be given residence in a house where they would not remain safe from the cold or heat. They remained there until the skin of their faces cracked, and until the time they remained in Syria, they lamented upon Imam Husain.

Dream of Sayyedah Sakinah, daughter of Imam Husain
Sayyedah Sakinah relates, that on a Thursday I dreamt in Syria, then she relates a lengthy dream and at it's conclusion, she says, that I saw a woman in my dream seated on a Camel-litter with her hand upon her head. I inquired as to who she was and was answered that, "She is Fatemah, the daughter of Mohammad, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, your grand-mother". I told myself, "By Allah! I should go to her and relate to her all that they have done to us", saying this I ran towards her. I sat in front of her and started weeping, and then I said, "O dear Mother! They withheld our rights. O dear Mother! They scattered our group. O dear Mother! They violated our sanctity. O dear Mother! By Allah! They killed my father Husain". She replied, "O dear Sakinah! Remain silent, for it cuts my heart-vein. This is the shirt of your father that I have preserved until I meet Allah alongwith it".


Notes:

[1] There is no other Deity accept Allah (La Ilaha Illallah).

[2] Allah is Great (Allaho Akbar).


387
Shaikh Ibne Nima relates, that Sayyedah Sakinah dreamt in Damascus that five illuminated horses have come forth, and upon each one a honourable personality is seated, while the Angels have surrounded them from all around, a maid of paradise was also alongwith them. Those mounted proceeded further while the maid came towards me and said, "Verily your grandfather has sent salutations to you". I replied, "Salutations upon the Prophet of Allah! Who are you?" She replied, "One of the maids of Paradise". I asked, "Who are these people who have arrived here mounted upon the noble horses?" She replied, "They are Adam, the One Chosen by Allah (Sifwatullah); the second one is Ibraheem, the friend of Allah (Khaleelullah); the third one is Moosa, the one who spoke to Allah (Kalimullah); the fourth one is Isa, the Spirit of Allah". I asked, "Who is he who has held his beard in his hand and is falling & rising?" She replied, "He
is your grandfather, the Prophet of Allah". I said, "Where are they going?" and she replied, "They are going towards your father Husain". I ran towards him to inform him as to how the oppressors have treated us after his death. At that moment five illuminated camel-litters arrived, and on each one a woman was seated. I asked, "Who are these women who have just arrived?" They said, "The first one is Hawwa, the mother of mankind; the second one is Asiyah, the daughter of Mazahim (and wife of Fir'aun); the third one is Mariyam, the daughter of Imran (and mother of Prophet Isa); the fourth one is Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwaylid; while the fifth one, with her hand upon her head and is falling & rising, is none other than your grand-mother Fatemah, the daughter of Mohammad, your father's mother". I said, "By Allah! I should narrate to her as to how they treated us", saying this I sat facing her and said, "O dear
Mother! They withheld our rights. O dear Mother! They scattered our group. O dear Mother! They violated our sanctity. O dear Mother! By Allah! They killed my father Husain". She replied, "O Sakinah! Remain silent. You have charred my liver and cut off the joint of my heart. This is the shirt of your father Husain that I have preserved until I meet Allah alongwith it". Then I awoke from my sleep and wished to conceal it, but then I narrated it to my intimate relatives and it became renowned among men".

Dream of the wife of Yazeed and her lamenting upon Imam Husain
It is related in Bihaar al-Anwaar from Hind the wife of Yazeed, that I laid myself upon my bed. Suddenly I saw (in a dream) that the doors of the heavens had opened ajar and the Angels descended one after the other upon the head of Imam Husain while saluting him. At that moment a cloud appeared, on which numerous men were seated, while one of them possessed an illuminating countenance. He ran towards the head of Imam Husain


388 and kissing his teeth, said, "O my son! They killed you, and then do you presume that they did so without recognizing you? Then they blocked the access to water from you. O dear son! I am your grandfather, the Prophet of Allah, this is your father Ali al Murtaza, this is your brother Hasan, these are your uncles Ja'far and Aqeel, while they are Hamza and Abbas (the Prophet's uncles)", saying this he named each one of his family.

Hind says, that I awoke from my sleep with awe and fear and saw that light had scattered around the head of Imam Husain. Then I arose so as to find Yazeed and I found him in a dark room facing the wall and saying, "What did I have to do with Husain?" And it seemed as if he was surrounded by all the griefs of the world. I related the dream to him and he had bowed his head down (in shame). When it dawned, he called for the family of Imam Husain and said, "Do you desire to remain with me or to back go to Madinah, as also to acquire numerous rewards?" They replied, "Initially we desire to weep and mourn upon Imam Husain". He replied, "You may do as you desire". Then some houses were vacated for them and the women of Bani Hashim and Quraysh wore black clothes and mourned upon Imam Husain for seven days.

Shaikh Ibne Nima says, that till the time the women of the Prophet's household remained in Damascus, they wept and lamented upon Imam Husain with grief and wailing. The sorrow of the captives was abundant, while their bereavement of the early death of their men was ample too. They were given residence in a house where it was not possible to save oneself from the heat and cold, until the skins of their delicate bodies, which had grown behind the veils, cracked and blood started oozing from it. Forbearance had departed from them while anguish had taken hold, and sorrow had become their companion.

Dream of the infant daughter of Imam Husain
It is related in Kamile Bahai from Kitab al Hawiyah, that the family of Prophethood had concealed from the children regarding the martyrdom of their fathers. They told them that their fathers had been on a journey, until Yazeed called them to his house. A four-year-old daughter of Imam Husain one day awoke from her dream saying, "Where has my father been? Just now I saw him in a dream that he was uneasy and distressed". Hearing this, the women as well as the other children started weeping, while the voices of their lamenting arose. Yazeed arose from his sleep and asked, "What has happened?" They found out the matter and informed him and the accursed ordered that the head of her father (Imam Husain) be sent for her. The head was brought and kept in her lap. The girl asked, "What is this?" and they


389 answered, "It is the head of your father". Hearing this, the childwas alarmed and started yelling, she took to ill and died in Damascus.[1]

While this incident is also quoted in some reports as follows: A kerchief of fine silk was placed upon the head (of Imam Husain) and the tray containing it was placed in front of the child. The child lifted off the veil and said, "Whose head is this?" They replied, "Your father's head". She lifted it up from the tray and pressing it to her heart, said, "O dear father! Who had dyed you with your blood? Who has severed the vein of your neck? Who has orphaned me in this infancy? O dear father! Whom should I rely upon after your death? O dear father! Who shall take care of the orphan until she grows up?" She spoke in similar words and then placed her lips upon that of his and wept until she fell unconscious. When they shook her they realised that her spirit had already departed. When the family (of the Prophet) saw this, they started lamenting upon her state, while their mourning, alongwith that of the people of Damascus, started anew, and on that day every
man and woman wept.

It is related in the same book, that Yazeed commanded that the head of Imam Husain, as also that of others among his family and companions, be hanged upon the doors of the city.

And it is also related in the same book, that the head of Imam Husain lay hanging upon the Minaret of the Grand Mosque of Damascus for forty days, while the other heads were hanged upon the doors of other Mosques and cities and for a day upon the door of the house of Yazeed.

Shaikh Rawandi relates from Minhal bin Amr that, by Allah! When the head of Imam Husain was brought to Damascus, I saw a man reciting Surah al Kahf facing it. When he reached the verse "Or do you think that the Fellows of the Cave and (of) the Inscription (which) were of Our Signs (Miracles) (matters) wonderful?" [2] the head, in an eloquent voice, said, "My martyrdom and elevation is more astonishing that the Fellows of the Cave".

Allamah Majlisi in his Bihaar al-Anwaar, after quoting the sermon of Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen from the pulpit of Syria says, that a jewish monk was


Notes:

[1] According to some of the historians and biographers, the daughter of Imam Husain referred to hereinabove is none other than his beloved one Sayyedah Sakinah. However some historians are of the opinion (as will be quoted in this book too) that the child was not Sakinah (but another daughter of Imam) while Sakinah remained alive for a considerable period of time after her father. But we strongly perceive the former report to be reliable, for her grave is renowned in the prison in the Babe Sagheer Cemetery in Damascus, thus verifying the above report, and believers throng for her pilgrimage from far and near. And Allah is the Best Knower.

[2] Surah al Kahf: 9.


390 seated in the presence of Yazeed at that time. He said, "O Yazeed! Who is this youth?" Yazeed replied, "He is Ali, the son of Husain". "Husain who?" asked the monk, and Yazeed said, "The son of Ali bin Abi Talib". The monk asked, "Who is his mother?" And Yazeed replied, "She is Fatemah, the daughter of Mohammad". Hearing this, the wise man said, "Glory be to Allah! He is the grandson of your Prophet whom you killed so early? How badly have you faired with his progeny after his death. By Allah! If there existed a grandson amongst us from the loins of (Prophet) Moosa bin Imran, we believe that we would have worshipped him equal to our Lord. Your Prophet departed from your midst just yesterday, while today you pounced upon his son and killed him. What an evil nation are you". Hearing this Yazeed ordered his neck to be squeezed thrice. The monk arose and said, "If you desire kill me, and if you desire release me, and if you desire strike at me.
I have read in the Tawrat that the one who kills the progeny of his Prophet is an accursed one until he is alive. And when he dies, Allah shall throw him into the fire of hell".

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says, that Ibne Lahee'ah relates from Abul Aswad Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman that he said, that Ra's al Jaloot came to meet me and said, "There is a gap of seventy grandfathers between me and (Prophet) Dawood, and due to this the Jews respect me, while you killed the son of your Prophet when there was only one father (or mother) linking them?"

Incident pertaining to an envoy of the Roman king in the court of Yazeed
Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen relates, that when the head of Imam Husain was brought to Yazeed, he ordered an assembly of wine. The blessed head was brought and he kept it in front of him and started drinking wine near it. One day an envoy of the Roman king, who was among the noble and elite Romans, was present there. He asked, "O Arab king! Whose head is this?" Yazeed replied, "What is your business?" He replied, "Whenever I return back to our King, he inquires from me all that I have seen here, therefore it shall be my pleasure to narrate to him regarding the incident pertaining to it, so that he too may accompany you in your joy and merry". Yazeed replied, "This head is of Husain bin Ali bin Abi Talib". The Roman asked, "Who is his mother?" and Yazeed replied, "She is Fatemah, the daughter of the Prophet of Allah". The Christian said, "Woe be to you and your devoutness! My religion is better than yours'. My father is from among the
progeny of (Prophet) Dawood, while there exists numerous forefathers between us. Yet the Christians honour me due to this, and gather the dust of my feet as good omen saying that I am from the Progeny of Dawood. While you


391 killed the grandson of your Prophet, when there was not more gap between them accept of a mother? Then what is this devoutness amongst you?" Then he continued, "O Yazeed! Have you heard the incident of 'Kaneesae Hafir'[1]?" Yazeed replied, "Tell me, so that I may hear it". Then he narrated the incident of the Christians who respected the hooves of the ass, which the companions of Prophet Isa rode, while we forgo it for the sake of brevity. Then he reprimanded Yazeed and said, "This was the opinion of the Christians regarding the hooves of the ass driven by (the companions of) Isa, while you killed the grandson of your Prophet? May Allah, the Almighty, not grant affluence to you, and may He not accept your devoutness". Hearing his Yazeed said, "Kill this Christian, so that he may not defame me in my own kingdom". When the Christian heard this, he said, "Do you desire killing me?" Yazeed replied in the affirmative. The envoy said, "Then
know, that tonight I saw your Prophet in a dream, who told me: O Christian! You are from among the inhabitants of Paradise. I was astonished by his words, but now I say: I bear witness that there is no other Deity accept Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah". Saying this he arose, and taking the head of Imam Husain, pressed it to his chest and kissed it until he was killed. (May Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

One day Imam Zainul Abedeen stepped out and started wandering in the market of Damascus. Minhal bin Amr approached him and asked, "How did you spend your night, O son of the Prophet of Allah?" Imam replied, "Our night was similar to the night of the Bani Isra'eel, from among the people of Fir'aun, the heads of whose sons were severed and ladies captivated. O Minhal! The glory of the Arabs upon others was due to the fact that Mohammad was an Arab. And we, the family of Mohammad have fallen, been routed this night, detested, killed and dispelled. Thus verily we are Allah's, and verily unto Him shall we return, upon this night of our's O Minhal".

Allah's blessings upon Mahyar who said, "They honour the base of your pulpit, but they place your progeny under their feet, …….".

It is related, that Yazeed ordered the head (of Imam Husain) to be hanged upon the door of his house, and the women of his household be brought in. When the women were entered into the house of Yazeed, there was none from among the family of Mu'awiyah and Abu Sufyan, who did not come to them weeping, wailing and lamenting upon Imam Husain. All of them abandoned their grand clothes and mourned for three days. And it is also said that houses were emptied for the women in Damascus, while every Hashimite and Qurayshite women mourned therein for seven days.


Notes:

[1] The Synagogue of the (Ass's) hoof.


392
It is narrated in Irshad, that an order was issued that the women of the Household, alongwith their brother Imam Zainul Abedeen, should be kept in a house adjacent to the house of Yazeed, where they resided for some days.

It is related in Kamile Bahai, that when the women of the Household entered therein, the women of the family of Abu Sufyan came to them and kissed the hands and feet of the daughters of the Prophet of Allah and lamented and mourned for three days. Hind, the wife of Yazeed, ran into the court of Yazeed bare head, tearing her clothes and throwing her veil, and with bare feet while saying, "O Yazeed! Did you order that the head of Imam Husain be placed upon the lance at the door of the house?" When Yazeed, who had worn a crown full of pearls, rubies and expensive jewels, saw his wife in this state, he leapt from his place and veiled her saying, "O Hind! Forgive me, and lament upon the grandson of the Prophet of Allah".

It is also related that Hind, the daughter of Abdullah bin Amir bin Kareez, was formerly married to Imam Husain. She ran to the general assembly of Yazeed saying, "O Yazeed! The head of Husain, the son of Fatemah, the daughter of the Prophet of Allah, is hung upon door of my house?" Yazeed arose and veiled her, saying, "Yes O Hind! Wail upon him and lament upon the son of the daughter of the Prophet of Allah, all the Quraysh weep for him. Ibne Ziyad hastened to kill him. May Allah kill him". After this Yazeed gave them residence in his special house and would not have breakfast and dinner until Imam Zainul Abedeen would partake alongwith him.

It is quoted in Kamil of Ibne Aseer and Malhoof, that Yazeed would not have his breakfast or dinner until he had invited Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen alongwith him. One day Yazeed invited him alongwith Amr bin Hasan, who was a young lad of eleven years. Yazeed said, "Will you combat with Khalid, my son?" Umar replied, "Hand me a dagger and to him too, so that I may fight him". Yazeed lifted him up in his lap and said, "I recognise this demeanour for Akhzam, the infant of a serpent is none other than a serpent".[1]

[1] It is related in Tazkirah of Sibt that Zuhri says, that when the women-folk from the family of Imam Husain as well as his daughters were entered into the house of Yazid, all of them arose and lamented, wept and mourned Imam Husain. Yazid told Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen that, "If you wish, remain with me, and we shall treat you fairly, while if you wish, we shall despatch you back to Madinah". Imam replied, "I do not desire anything except (going to) Madinah". Sha'abi says, that when the women of Imam Husain met the women of Yazid, they cried, "O Husain"! Yazid heard their wailing and said, "Lamentation of the aggrieved women is admirable, but death is easy upon the lamenting women". Rabab, the daughter of Imru al Qays, who was the wife of Imam Husain and mother of Sakinah, was also present alongwith the


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It is related in Kamil (of Ibne Aseer), that when the head of Imam Husain reached Yazeed, he was pleased with Ibne Ziyad. His confidence in him increased and he bestowed numerous gifts upon him and was pleased with his work. Within a short time, he was informed that people hated, cursed and vilified him, thus he (falsely) regretted the murder of Imam Husain, and said, "What would have mattered if I had taken his injury upon myself and would have brought Husain to my home, and could have handed him over whatever he intended, although it would result in a split in my kingship. I could have honoured the sanctity of the Prophet of Allah and could have observed his right and considered his family. May Allah curse the son of Marjanah! When Husain had requested him that he would place his hand in my hand and go away to another place and live until Allah gives him death. But he did not yield to him and killed him, and by doing so he made me detestable in the eyes of the Muslims. And he ignited my enmity into their hearts, while now the virtuous, as well as the evil ones, bear enmity towards me due to the gruesome massacre of Husain. What relation did I have with the son of Marjanah! May Allah curse him and keep enmity with him".

I (the Author) say, that if one reflects upon the character and statements of Yazeed one will understand, that when the head of Imam Husain, alongwith that of his family, were brought for him, he was very much delighted. Then he did that what we just saw earlier with the sacred head and said such things regarding it. Then he captivated Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen and the women-folk in a prison, devoid of roof, until the skin of their faces scrapped. But when people recognised them and discovered their honour, and they learnt that they were the oppressed ones and the progeny of the Prophet, they vilified the status of Yazeed. They cursed and abused Yazeed and turned towards the Ahlulbayt. When Yazeed saw this, he desired to free himself from the blood of Imam Husain and shift the blame upon the neck of (Ubaydullah) Ibne Ziyad. Then he cursed him due to this and regretted his murder and changed his attitude towards Imam Zainul Abedeen and his family. Then he offered them shelter in his house in order to safeguard his kingdom and dominion, as also to allure the hearts of people towards himself, women. While Imam Husain endeared both of them and said regarding them, "By my life, I cherish the house in which there are Sakinah and Rabab, I endear them both and spend most of my wealth upon them, and there is no reason for censure in that, I shall not let them be neglected all throughout my life, until I am buried beneath the earth". Yazid, as well as other notables of Quraysh proposed to her, but she replied, "I do not desire to have anyone as my father in law after the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.)". She remained alive for a year after (the martyrdom of) Imam Husain and died of anger, while she never sat in the shade after (the martyrdom of) Imam Husain.


394 and not due to sincere remorse, and he expressed his anger at the deeds of Ibne Ziyad (falsely). The evidence of this (his insincerity) is the narration of Sibt Ibne Jawzee in his Tazkirah, that Yazeed called for Ibne Ziyad and bestowed him with numerous rewards and countless gifts. Then he made him sit close to himself and exalted his rank and made him accompany his wives. He made him his boon companion, and one night he became intoxicated and commanded the singer to sing a song and himself extemporaneously said, "Give me a drink which would boost up my morale, and hand over a similar one to the son of Ziyad, who is my confidante and trustworthy, and is the one who fetches the spoils for me and fights for me, the killer of the rebel, viz. Husain (Allah's refuge), as also my enemies and the envious ones".

Ibne Aseer in his Kamil relates from Ibne Ziyad, that in Syria he told Musafir bin Shurayh Yashkaree that, "I killed Husain for the simple reason that Yazeed had desired from me that either I kill him or kill myself. And I chose to kill him". (Allah's eternal curse be upon them both).

# Despatching of the Household (Ahlulbayt) by Yazeed from Syria to Madinah

Entry of the Household into Madinah, and their mourning upon Imam Husain

It should be noted, that when Yazeed granted permission to the daughters and the progeny of the Prophet to lament and bemoan Imam Husain, and also promised Imam Ali bin Husain that he would fulfill three of his desires, they bemoaned there for eight days. On the eighth day Yazeed called them and offered them to stay back in Damascus, but they declined saying, "Despatch us to the 'place of Migration' (Madinah) of our grandfather". Yazeed called for No'man bin Basheer, one of the companions of the Prophet of Allah, and ordered him to prepare the women-folk for the journey and to provide them with whatever they desired. He also told him to despatch alongwith them a reliable and virtuous man from among the Syrians, as also some guards and servants. Then he bestowed them with clothes and gifts and provided them with provisions and food.

Shaikh Mufeed says, that when Yazeed desired to prepare them, he called for Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen in solitude and said, "May Allah curse the son of Marjanah! By Allah! If I had faced your father, I would have offered to him whatever he had desired from me, and I would have tried by all means to ward away death from him. But Allah had destined that to happen. You may write to me from Madinah and I shall give you whatever you desire". Then he presented him and his family with clothes and despatched No'man bin Basheer alongwith them as his envoy. He commanded him to move them at night and to remain behind them to guard, and when they camp, he alongwith his companions, should alight surrounding them and keep a watch upon them, but to remain a bit far from them so as not to disturb them during ablutions and their call of nature. No'man bin Basheer traveled alongside them and dealt with them leniently while arranging comfort for them as recommended by Yazeed, until they reached Madinah.

It is related from Yafe'ee, that Hafiz Abu Alaa' Hamadani says, that when the head of Imam Husain was taken to Yazeed, he despatched it to Madinah. Then he called for a group from among the retainers of Bani Hashim, as also a group from among the retainers of Bani Sufyan, and despatched them alongwith the survivors from the family of Imam Husain. He also prepared provisions for them and ordered to fulfil all their desires.

It is related in Malhoof, that Yazeed told Imam Ali bin Husain that, "Relate to me the three desires which I had promised to fulfill". Imam replied, "The first being that you may show me the face of my master and father Imam Husain so that I may earn reward by it's glance. The second being that you may return those of our belongings that had been plundered from us. And third being that if you desire killing me, then despatch a person so that he may reach them (the women) to the home of their grandfather". Yazeed said, "Rather you shall never be able to look at the face of your father, and as regards killing you, I have already abandoned the idea. While none, except yourself, shall accompany the womenfolk to Madinah, and as regards the belongings which were plundered from you, I shall give you more than that". Imam replied, "We do not desire your wealth, let it be abundant for you. I have only asked from you whatever had been looted from us consisting of the hand-woven clothes of Fatemah, the daughter of Mohammad, and her veil, necklace and shirt". He ordered these to be returned to them and also gave them two hundred Ashrafi from his own wealth. Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen took hold of the Ashrafi and distributed them among the destitute, then Yazeed ordered that the Household (of the Prophet) be despatched to Madinah.

It is quoted in some books of Martyrdom (Maqtal), that when they desired to return back to Madinah, Yazeed ordered litters to be brought for them. He ordered them to be decorated and to place upon them silken curtains, while abundant wealth was strewn in them. Then Yazeed told Sayyedah Umme Kulsum that, "Take this wealth as recompense for the troubles that befell you". Umme Kulsum replied, "What a shameless and harsh man are you! You kill my brother and family members, then you offer wealth as it's recompense? By Allah! It shall never happen".

It is stated in Kamile Bahai, that Umme Kulsum, the sister of Imam Husain, died in Damascus. Ibne Battutah, a contemporary of Fakhrul Mahaqqeqqeen the son of Allamah Hilli, in his travelogue entitled Tuhfatun Nazzar fi Gharaibul Amsar says, that on the western side of the city of Damascus, at a distance of one Farsakh,[5.4km, 3.4 miles] lies a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Umme Kulsum, the daughter of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib through Sayyedah Fatemah. It is said that her name was Zainab and the Holy Prophet gave her the title of Umme Kulsum because she resembled her aunt Umme Kulsum, a daughter of the Prophet [1]. While this place of pilgrimage contains a grand mosque and there are residences surrounding it and it is endowed. While the people of Damascus call it "the grave of Lady Umme Kulsum".

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says, that it is related regarding the head of Imam Husain that it was taken back to Karbala and united with his blessed body. The belief of the Shi'ah evidences it and there are numerous other narrations supporting it, but we do not quote it due to brevity's sake. There is difference of opinion regarding the burial of the blessed head. Some say that Yazeed despatched the head to Amr bin Sa'eed bin Aas, the governor of Madinah, who said, "I wish he had not sent it to me", then he ordered it to be buried at (the graveyard of) Baqi'. While others say, that the head was kept in the treasury of Yazeed until Mansoor bin Jamhoor conquered Damascus. He found the head in a red basket with traces of dye still visible upon it. He then buried it in 'Baab al Faradees' in Damascus. While still others say, that Sulayman bin Abdul Malik found the head in the treasury of Yazeed, he wrapped it in five shrouds of brocade, then he recited the prayers upon it, alongwith his companions, and buried it. But that which is renowned among the Imamiyah Scholars, is that it was buried alongwith it's blessed body by Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen, or also that it was buried in the grave of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali as is found in numerous reports.

Ibne Shahr Ashob says, that Sayyed Murtaza in one of his treatises says, that the head of Imam Husain was returned to Karbala from Syria and was united with the body. While Shaikh Toosi quotes the Ziyarat al Arba'een from here.

It is quoted in the history of Habibus Siyar, that Yazeed handed over all the heads to Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen and he united them alongwith their bodies (at Karbala) on the twentieth day of the month of Safar and then left for Madinah. And it is said that this report is accurate regarding the burial of the head.



Notes:

[1] One of the numerous concocted stories of the Non-Shi'ah historians who allege that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had three daughters through Sayyedah Khadijah binte Khuwailid, apart from Sayyedah Fatemah az Zahra. The names of these 'daughters' are stated as Zainab, Umme Kulsum and Ruqayyah, while in reality they were the daughters of Hala binte Khuwailid (wife of Amr bin Hadam), who after her death, were brought up by their aunt Sayyedah Khadijah and Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.). The Shi'ah Scholars have put forward several evidences in refutation of this alleged claim, which was raised simply to compete with Sayyedah Zahra's personality and also because two of them were later married (consequently) to Caliph Usman bin Affan.


Sibt Ibne Jawzee in his Tazkirah says, that five narrations have been related regarding the place of the burial of the head: (1) In Karbala, (2) In Madinah, close to the grave of his mother, (3) In Damascus, (4) In the Mosque of Riqqah (in Syria), and (5) In Cairo. But the renowned one among them is that it was taken back to Madinah alongwith a group of noblemen, and from there it was taken to Karbala and buried alongwith the body there. Then wherever and in whatever state is his head and body buried, it dwells in the hearts and conscience of men and occupies a place of residence in the essence and memory of all.

Then one of our masters says thus: "Do not search Husain in the east or the west, then leave everything and hasten towards me, for his tomb lies in my heart".

It is related in Malhoof, that the narrator says, that when the household of Imam Husain left Syria and reached Iraq, they told their guide, "Take us through Karbala". Then when they reached the place of martyrdom, they saw that Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari, alongwith a group of Bani Hashim and the family of Prophet, had come to visit the grave of Imam Husain. They met one another with grief and wailing while beating their faces. Then a heart-rending mourning ceremony commenced and the women from the adjoining towns too joined them and they all mourned there for a few days. Shaikh Ibne Nima too quotes something similar in his book of Martyrdom.

Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says, that the narrator says, that then they left from Karbala towards Madinah. Basheer bin Jazlam says, that when we reached near Madinah, Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen dismounted there and pitched tents and told the women to alight too, and then said, "O Basheer! May Allah have mercy upon your father, he was a poet. Then can you recite elegies too?" I replied, "Yes, O son of the Prophet of Allah! I too am a poet". Imam said, "Then go to Madinah and announce the news of the martyrdom of Abu Abdullah". I mounted my horse and galloped, until I reached Madinah. When I reached the Mosque of the Prophet, I started weeping and called out, "O people of Yasrib! There is no place for you to abide here, Husain has been killed for which my tears flow, his body lies in Karbala smeared in dust and blood, while his head was being paraded upon the lance from place to place".

Then I retorted, "This is Ali bin Husain, who has reached your outskirts and the place of your city of Madinah, alongwith his aunts and sisters. He has sent me so that I may announce his place of decent", hearing this all the veiled


399 women of Madinah ran out lamenting. While I ever never witnessed such weeping ever before nor do I know anything more bitter than this upon the Muslims. I heard a girl weeping upon Husain while saying, "You have brought the news of the martyrdom of my master and aggrieved me and made me unwell, while this news has distressed my heart, then O my eyes! Shed abundant tears of sorrow constantly, upon the one upon whose grief the heavens of the Almighty have fallen down, his martyrdom has punctured nobility, Religion and ardour, then lament upon the son of the Prophet of Allah and Ali, although his grave be far far away".

Then the girl turned towards me and said, "O messenger of death! You have renewed our grief for Abu Abdullah, and you have abraded our internal wound that had not yet healed. May your Lord have mercy upon you, who are you?" I replied, "I am Basheer bin Jazlam and my master Imam Ali bin Husain has sent me, while he himself, alongwith the family of Abu Abdullah al Husain, has camped at such and such place". Then the people left me and ran towards the place. Then I mounted my horse and returned until I saw that the people had occupied all the roads and streets. I dismounted from my horse and started stamping the necks of people until I reached the tent. Imam Ali bin Husain was therein and he came outside wiping his tears with a handkerchief. A servant followed him carrying a chair and placed it down and Imam sat upon it. His tears were constantly flowing while the voices of lamenting of men increased and women too started wailing.
Then people started condoling him from all around while a severe uproar arose upon that place.

Sermon of Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen
Imam signaled them to remain silent and the voices of lamenting ceased. Then he said, "All praise be to the Lord of the worlds. The Master of the day of Qiyamah. The Creator of all creation. By the Lord Whose comprehension is far away and Who is so near so as to hear the secrets (of his slaves). I extol Him upon the grave event and the disasters of age, and upon the severity of griefs and bitter taste of tragedies, and the great sorrow and grand griefs, heart-rending and afflicting hardships.

O people! Verily Allah, the worthy of praise, tried us by means of great sorrows while a deep fissure manifested in Islam. Abu Abdullah al Husain and his family were martyred, while his women and children were driven in captivity. His head was paraded in the cities upon the lance, while this disaster is incomparable.

O people! Which of your men would delight after his death, and which of your hearts would not scorch for him? Which of your eyes would spare it of tears, and which of you would restrain yourself from beating your faces?


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Seven elevated heavens wept upon his martyrdom, while the rivers alongwith their waves, the heavens alongwith their pillars, the earth alongwith her outskirts, and the trees alongwith their branches, the fishes of the oceans and their depths, the Angels in proximity (to Allah), as also all the dwellers of the heavens lent their voices in lamenting upon him.

O people! What hearts are there that would not rip upon his martyrdom? And what consciences are there that would not scorch upon it? And what ears are there that would not turn deaf when they witness this fissure manifested in Islam?

O people! We were driven forth and paraded from far and near the cities as if we were the children of Turkish or Kabuli descent, without having committed a crime or performed evil deeds, nor are we one of those who have created the fissure in Islam. Never did we even hear such thing from our ancient forefathers, this is nothing but new. By Allah! If the Prophet, instead of making recommendations for us, had entrusted them to fight us, they would not have done to us any more harm than what they already have done.

Verily we are Allah's, and verily unto Him shall we return. What a severe, painful, tragic, grievous, sorrowful, heart-rending and bitter was the trouble that we witnessed and bore. We offer it to Allah's account, the Mighty, the Avenger".

The narrator says, that hearing this Sawhan bin Sa'sa'ah bin Sawhan, who had truned paralytic, stood up facing him and asked pardon, for his legs were paralised (and thus he could not assist him). Imam accepted his plea and displayed his pleasure towards him and thanked him, while asking Allah's mercy to be bestowed upon his father.

Jazari and Ibne Sabbagh Maliki say, that Yazeed despatched a trustworthy man from among the Syrians, alongwith Ahlulbayt and enjoined him regarding them. Some horsemen also accompanied him until they reached Madinah.

It is related in Akhbarud Dawl, that their Caravan-leader was No'man bin Basheer, while thirty men accompanied him. He made them travel at night while himself remained behind them so as to watch them. And when they stopped, he, alongwith his companions, he camped far away from them. He surrounded them to keep guard upon them and kept inquiring from them while dealing fairly with them until they reached Madinah. Fatemah, the daughter of Imam Ali, told her sister Sayyedah Zainab that, "This man has certainly favoured us, then should we not compensate him?" She replied, "We do not have anything with us except our ornaments to compensate him. We should get two pairs of our bracelets and our armlets and send it for him while seeking pardon (for his efforts)". He returned all


401 of it back saying, "If I had done this for the world, it would have been sufficient for me. But by Allah! My intention was none except the pleasure of Allah and the Prophet of Allah".

Rabab, wife of Imam Husain and daughter of Imru al Qays, who was also the mother of Sayyedah Sakinah, accompanied Imam Husain to Karbala and was taken to Syria alongwith the 'Household', and then returned to Madinah. The notables of Quraysh proposed to her, but she replied, "I do not desire having any other father-in-law after the Prophet of Allah". She did not enter the shade of her house for one year after his martyrdom and became ill and died of anger. It is said that she remained at the head of Imam's grave for one year and then returned to Madinah and succumbed to grief.

It is related in certain books of martyrdom, that when Sayyedah Umme Kulsum reached Madinah, she wept and said, "O city (Madinah) of our grandfather! Do not accept us, we have returned alongwith regret and sorrow; beware, go and relate to the Prophet that we were subjected to severity due to (the enmity of) our father; when we departed from you, we had everyone accompanying us; but now we return back devoid of men and our sons; when we went from here we were together, and now we return accompanied by losses with belongings having being plundered; we were under the protection of Allah, and we now return with the separation of our near-ones and in fear; Our master Husain was our protector and aide, and we return back having left him smeared in dust; we have been plundered and ruined while having no guarantor or aide, and we weep upon our brother; O grandfather! The enemies have killed Husain, and they have not considered us near the Almighty Allah. O
dear grandfather! Our enemies have fulfilled their desires and they have found relief by violating our sanctity, they un-veiled the womenfolk of the Ahlulbayt and forcefully made them mount upon Camels devoid of litters". While the elegies recited by her are extensive, but we conclude here for the sake of brevity.

The narrator says, that Sayyedah Zainab caught hold of a pair of the doors of the Mosque, and called out, "O grandfather! I announce to you the news of the death of my brother Husain". Saying this her tears started flowing continuously and she could not hold back her lamenting and weeping. And each time her sight fell upon Imam Ali bin Husain, her grief would become afresh and her heartache would increase.

Lamentation of Ali bin Husain
Sayyed Ibne Tawoos says, that it is related from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen wept for a period of forty years upon his father. He always fasted during the days and remained awake (in worship) the entire night. And when the time for breaking the fast would approach, his servant would lay down the food in front of him to break his fast and say, "O


402 my master! Break your fast". Imam would say, "The son of the Prophet of Allah was martyred hungry and thirsty". Then he would repeat it constantly and weep profusely until the food would get soaked with his tears, as also the water, and this continued until the end of his life. One of his retainers says, that one day my master went out, while I followed him too. I saw him place his forehead upon a rough stone and I heard the voice of his weeping and lamenting as also the voice of his recitation that numbered thousand times : "There is no other Deity except Allah in all certainty, there is no other Deity except Allah in devotion and humility, there is no other Deity except Allah in faith and truth".

Then he lifted up his head from prostration, while his beard and face was soaked with the tears of his eyes. Seeing this I said, "O my master! Your sorrow has not diminished and your lamenting has not ceased?" He replied, "Woe be to you! Ya'qoob was a Prophet and had twelve sons. One of his sons (Prophet Yusuf) was concealed from his eyes by Allah, and the hair of his head turned grey due to extreme sorrow, and his back bent due to this anxiety, while the sight of his eyes faded due to excessive weeping, and all this although his son was alive in this world. While I have witnessed my father, brother and eighteen members from among my family fallen upon the ground and martyred, then how could my sorrow diminish and tears cease?"

Shaikh Abu Ja'far Toosi, through his chain of authorities, relates from Khalid bin Sadeed, that he said, that I asked Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, "Can a man tear off his collar upon the loss of his father, brother of relatives?" Imam replied, "There is no problem. Prophet Moosa tore off his collar upon the death of his brother (Prophet) Haroon. A father may not tear off his collar upon the loss of his son, nor a husband upon that of his wife, but a wife can tear off her collar upon the loss of her husband". Then he continued, "The family of Fatemah tore off their collars upon Husain and beat their faces. And he was worthy enough that the collars should have certainly been torn and faces beaten upon his loss".

It is related in Da'aimul Islam from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq that, "He (Imam Zainul Abedeen) wept upon Imam Husain every day and night for one year, and this lamenting continued for three years after the day of his martyrdom".

Barqi relates, that when Imam Husain was martyred, the women of Bani Hashim wore black and the mourning dress and did not complain against heat or cold, while Imam Ali bin Husain arranged for their mourning meals.

The Trustworthy Authority of Islam Shaikh Kulaini (May Allah cool his resting place) relates from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq, that when Imam Husain was martyred, one of his wives arranged for a mourning assembly. She wept, as also the ladies and her maids, until their tears dried up, but they saw that one of her maids was still weeping. She called for her and asked, "What


403 have you done that your tears still flow (while ours have dried up due to constant weeping)?" She replied, "When I became weary, I consumed Saweeq". [1] It is said that then she ordered food and Saweeq to be prepared; she ate and drank it and gave it to others and said, "We shall derive benefit through its medium for the mourning upon Imam Husain".

It is said, that a bowl of food was presented to this woman so that she could benefit from it while mourning Imam Husain. When she saw it, she said, "What is it?" They replied, "Such and such has sent it for you so that it may be beneficial for weeping upon Husain". She replied, "We do not have any wedding ceremony here, then what do we have to do with it?" Then she told the women who had accompanied her in mourning to leave. They went out and as soon as they stepped out of the house, they vanished, and as if they started flying in between the heavens and earth, while their tracks were never visible.

Imam Ja'far as Sadiq says, that none of the women of Hashimite descent applied collyrium or dyed their hair, nor did smoke ever come up from their houses (they did not cook) for five years, until Ubaydullah bin Ziyad was killed.

It is related in the Tareekh of Zahabi, that in the year 352 A.H. on the tenth of Moharram, Mu'iz ad Dawla commanded the people of Baghdad to mourn Imam Husain. He ordered the markets to be shut and symbols of mourning to be displayed upon them. Cooking was barred and the Shi'ah women came out lamenting and beating their faces, while this continued for some years.

It is related in Tareekh of Ibnul Wardi, that in the year 352 A.H. Mu'iz ad Dawla ordered people (of Baghdad) to lament upon Imam Husain and beat their breasts, while the women should dishevel their hair and mourn. The Sunnites could not prevent it, for the sovereign was alongwith the Shi'ah.

It is related in Al Khutat wal Asar of Maqrizi, that Ibne Zulaq quotes in the book Seerat al Mu'iz le dinillah, that on the tenth of Moharram of 363 A.H. a group from among the Shi'ah, accompanied by their adherents and the cavalry of Mugharebah and their men, return back in the procession of mourning upon Imam Husain from the Mausoleums of Sayyedah Umme Kulsum and Sayyedah Nafeesah.

It is quoted in some books, that in the year 423 A.H. mourning upon Imam Husain took place in Baghdad. Seeing this, the Sunnites revolted and clashes ensued in which numerous lives were lost and the markets were secluded.


Notes:

[1] A type of mush made of wheat or barley, also with sugar and dates.


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Abu Rayhan (al Biruni) in his Asarul Baqiyah states, that the tenth of Moharram was considered sacred near the Arabs until Imam Husain was martyred on that day. Then they treated him and his companions in a manner in which no other nation treated the worst of their people as regards to hunger and thirst, the sword, burning (the tents), raising the heads upon the lances, and galloping the horses upon their bodies. Then they (Shi'ah) considered that day to be inauspicious, but the Bani Umayyah celebrated on that day and adorned new dresses and organised feasts and celebrations, they prepared sweets and distributed scents. And until the kingdom of Bani Umayyah prevailed, this custom remained among the Ammah (Non-Shi'ah, viz. the Sunnites). And even after the sunset of their kingdom, this customs prevails among the Ammah. While the Shi'ah, in grief upon the martyrdom of Imam Husain, recite elegies and lament. And this custom prevails in the 'City of Peace' Baghdad, as also the other cities. And on that day they go for the pilgrimage to his felicitous grave at Karbala, and therefore the Ammah consider buying new vessels and furniture to be auspicious.




# Relating to the number of children and wives of Imam Husain, the merit of visiting his blessed grave, and the oppression of the Caliphs upon his grave

The children of Imam Husain and some of his wives
Shaikh Mufeed says that Imam Husain had six children:

(Imam) Ali al Akbar (the elder Ali) (Zainul Abedeen), whose agnomen was Abul Hasan and his mother was Shahezanan, the daughter of Khusroe Yazdjurd.

Ali al Asghar (the younger Ali) (popularly referred to as Ali al Akbar), who was martyred at Karbala alongwith his father and regarding whom we have discussed earlier. His mother was Layla, the daughter of Abi Murrah bin Urwah bin Mas'ood Saqafi.

Ja'far, he did not have any progeny and his mother was from the tribe of Bani Quza'ah. He died during the lifetime of Imam Husain.

Abdullah (popularly referred to as Ali al Asghar), who was martyred in his infancy alongwith his father. He lay in his father's lap when an arrow came and pierced his neck and he was martyred, while we have quoted regarding him earlier.

Sakinah, whose mother was Rabab, the daughter of Imru' al Qays bin Adi Kalbi. She was also the mother of Abdullah bin Husain.

Fatemah, whose mother was Umme Ishaq, the daughter of Talha bin Ubaydullah.

Ali bin Isa Irbili quotes in Kashful Ghummah, and it is quoted in Kamaluddin also, that Imam Husain had ten children, six sons and four daughters. He mentions the names of his three sons to be Ali (as narrated above), and Mohammad, Abdullah and Ja'far. Ali Akbar fought alongside his father and was martyred, while Ali Asghar, the infant, was martyred by the arrow, and Abdullah too was martyred alongwith his father. While the names of his daughters are Zainab, Sakinah and Fatemah (he does not name the fourth one and probably she should be Ruqayyah, whose grave is a renowned place of pilgrimage in Damascus - author). This is quite renowned, and it is also said that he had four sons and two daughters, while the former quote is quite renowned. But his eternal remembrance and his lawful progeny is through Ali the median (al Awsat) Zainul Abedeen, and not through any other sons.

We say, that it is quoted regarding some of his children, while others are not discussed.

Ibne Khashshab says, that he had six sons and three daughters, whose names are similar to the ones quoted by Irbili above.

Hafiz bin Abdul Aziz bin Akhzar Janabazi relates, that Imam Husain had six children, four sons and two daughters. As regards the names of his daughters he is in agreement with Shaikh Mufeed. But he names the one martyred at Karbala to be Ali Akbar, and says that the progeny of Husain ensued from Ali Asghar, whose mother was a slave-girl and he was the best in his age.

Zuhri says that I have not seen any Hashimite more excellent than him.

We (the author) say, that Hafiz has not quoted the name of Zainul Abedeen, but he quotes the names of Ali Akbar and Ali Asghar. While the correct one is that he had three sons by the name of Ali, as is narrated in Kamaluddin that Zainul Abedeen was the median, while there is difference of four between the narrations of Kamaluddin and Hafiz with regards to the number of children.

We (the author) say, that there is difference of opinion among the traditionists and historians regarding the name of the mother of Imam Zainul Abedeen.

Sibt Ibne Jawzee says that his mother was a slave-girl, while Ibne Qutaybah is of the opinion that she was Salamah a native of Sindh, it is also said that her name was Ghazalah. It is quoted in Kamil of Mubarrad, that the name of the mother of Ali bin Husain was Salamah and she was from among the children of Yazdjurd and was from among the best women.

It is also stated that her name was Khawlah, or Salafah, or Barrah.

It is related in Irshad, that her name was Shahezanan, the daughter of Yazdjurd bin Shahriyar bin Kisra. It is said, that her name was Shaharbanu. The Commander of the faithful Imam Ali appointed Hurays bin Jabir as the governor of the eastern provinces. He despatched the two daughters of Yazdjurd bin Shahriyar bin Kisra to the Imam's presence. He married Shahezanan to his son Imam Husain, who bore him Zainul Abedeen. He married the other one to Mohammad bin Abu Bakr, who bore him Qasim bin Mohammad bin Abu Bakr, while both of them were maternal cousins.

We (the author) say, that we strongly perceive that her real name was Salafah, which was erroneously changed to Salamah or vice versa. Her title was Shahezanan, while Imam Ali chose the name of Shahrbanuwiyah for her. As has been narrated, that the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali asked her, "What is your name?" She replied, "Shahezanan, the daughter of Kisra". Imam Ali said, "There should be no Shahezanan (Mistress of the women in Persian) upon the nation of Mohammad but should be Sayyedatun Nisa (Mistress of the women in Arabic). You are Shahrbanuwiyah, while your sister is Marwarid, the daughter of Kisra", and she agreed to it. While Ghazalah or Barrah was the name of another maid of Imam Husain, who reared him (Imam Zainul Abedeen). Imam addressed her as his mother, and it is narrated that his mother (Shahrbanu) died during childbirth, while another maid of his father brought him up. When he grew up he knew no other mother except her, later he realised that she was his maid, and people said that she was his mother thus he presumed similarly.

As regards Sakinah, daughter of Imam Husain

Her name was Amenah, and it is said that her mother was Rabab, the daughter of Imru al Qays bin Adi, who was the chief of (the clan of) Bakr bin Wael.

On the day of the battle of Malh, in the days on the ignorance, he was a Christian, he accepted Islam during the Caliphate of Umar bin Khattab. He had not yet recited the Namaz, when Umar made him the governor of a province, and he had not yet witnessed night when Imam Ali sent a proposal for the marriage of his daughter Rabab to Imam Husain. She was married to him and she bore him Abdullah (Ali Asghar) and Sakinah. Regarding Sakinah and her mother, Imam Husain had said,

"By your life! I cherish the house in which there are Sakinah and Rabab, I endear them both and spend most of my wealth upon them, and there is no reason for censure in that, I shall not let them be neglected all throughout my life, until I am buried beneath the earth".

It is related that the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali took his sons Imam Hasan and Imam Husain to Imru al Qays and said, "O uncle! I am Ali bin Abi Talib, the cousin and son in law of the Prophet of Allah, while these two are the sons of his daughter. And we desire to enter into a relationship with you through wedlock". He answered, "O Ali! I wed my daughter Mahyah to you, and O Hasan! I wed my other daughter Salma to you, while O Husain! I wed my daughter Rabab to you".

Hisham (bin Mohammad Kalbi) says, that Rabab was from among the best and most learned women, and after the martyrdom of Imam Husain people sent her proposals of marriage. She answered, "I do not desire to have anyone as my father in law after the Prophet of Allah".

It is related that Rabab recited the following elegy for Imam Husain: "The illuminated one who was a source of light, lies unburied martyred in Karbala, O son of the Prophet! May Allah reward you favourbly with regards to ourselves, and may Allah save you from the deficiency in the scales (on the day of Qiyamah), you treated us with mercy and (according to the) religion, now who remains for the orphans and destitutes, who makes every deprived affluence and gives refuge to them, by Allah! I shall not establish relation with anyone else other than you, until I am hidden beneath the earth".

In the Section relating to the entry of the Household of Imam Husain into the presence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, we have related that Rabab, the daughter of Imru al Qays and wife of Imam Husain, lifted the blessed head, and placing it in her lap kissed it and said, "O Husain! I shall never ever forget Husain, those lances proceeded towards him who had no lineage or father (present) at Karbala and threw him upon the ground, may Allah never water both the directions of Karbala".

Jazari relates, that Imam Husain was accompanied by his wife Rabab, the daughter of Imru al Qays and who was the mother of Sakinah. They took her alongwith the other womenfolk to Syria and then returned to Madinah. The noblemen of Quraysh sent her proposals of marriage, but she replied, "I do not desire to have anyone as my father in law after the Prophet of Allah". She remained alive for one year after Imam and never sat under (the shade of) the roof of the house until she turned frail and died of anger.

It is also said, that she remained at the head of the grave of Imam Husain for one year and then returned to Madinah where she died of grief.

Abul Faraj Isfahani relates that Sakinah was alongwith the daughter of Caliph Usman (bin Affan) in a mourning gathering. The daughter of Usman said, "I am the daughter of the martyr". Sakinah remained silent until the Caller for the Prayers said, "I bear witness that verily Mohammad is the Apostle of Allah". Sakinah then told her, "Is he my father (referring to the Prophet) or yours?" The daughter of Usman replied, "I shall never ever pride upon you".

Damiri relates from Faeq, that Sakinah, the daughter of Imam Husain, came weeping to her mother Rabab, while she was an infant. Her mother asked her as to what happened, and she replied, "An infant honey-bee pricked me with her tiny sting".

Sibt Ibne Jawzee relates from Sufyan Sawree, that (Imam) Ali bin Husain resolved to go for the Haj or Umrah. His sister Sakinah arranged provisions for the journey for him worth one thousand Dirham and despatched it for him. When Imam reached Hirrah (near Madinah) he distributed all the wealth among the destitutes.

Sakinah died on Thursday, the fifth day of Rabi' ul Awwal, one hundred and seventy Hijra,[1] while her sister Fatemah died the same year. Her (Fatemah's) mother was Umme Ishaq, the daughter of Talhah bin Ubaydullah. She was formerly married to Imam Hasan and bore him a son named Talhah, who died in his infancy. After the martyrdom of Imam Hasan, Imam Husain married her and she bore him Fatemah.

Abul Faraj (Isfahani) says, that the mother of Umme Ishaq was Jarba', the daughter of Qusamah bin Tayy. She was given the title of Jarba' due to her immense beauty, for all the beautiful ladies seemed ugly as compared to her beauty. Formerly Umme Ishaq was married to Imam Hasan, and when his end drew near, he told his brother Imam Husain that, "I am pleased with this woman, when I am dead you may take her to your house. Then you may marry her after the completion of her Iddah".[2] When Imam Hasan died, Imam Husain married her (after the completion of her Iddah). She bore Imam Hasan a son named Talhah, who died issueless.

It is narrated in Taqreeb of Ibne Hajar, that Fatemah, the daughter of Imam Husain, was a trustworthy women (with regard to narration of traditions). She is included in the fourth category of traditionists, and she died in her prime-age after one hundred Hijra.

Shaikh Mufeed says, that Hasan bin (Imam) Hasan requested his uncle Imam Husain to marry him to any one of his two daughters. Imam replied, "I marry my daughter Fatemah, who resembles my mother Fatemah, the daughter of the Prophet of Allah, to you".


Notes:

[1] Refer Note No.146 regarding Sayyedah Sakinah

[2] A period of abstinence from remarriage for women who have been divorced or widowed.

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