Life of Al-Hussein Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib (ALLAH Bless With Him)
Quick Facts
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Al-Hussein Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib also spelled Hussayn (Arabic: الحُسين بن علي بن أبي طالب) (8 January 626 CE – 10 October 680 CE According to Islamic Date 3rd Sha'aban 4 AH – 10th Muharram 61 AH) was the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib (ALLAH Bless With Him) and Fatimah Zahra (ALLAH Bless With Her) daughter of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the younger brother of Hasan Ibn Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him). Hussein is an important figure in Islam as he is a member of the Ahl Al-Bayt (The household of Mohammad) and Ahl Al-Kisa.
Birth
Hussayn was born on 3rd of Shabaan, 4th year of Hijri (8 January 626 CE) in Madina, Saudi Arabia When he was born the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was given the news of the birth of his second grandson. He arrived at the house of his daughter, took the little baby in his arms, said the Azan and Iqamah in his ears. People around the Prophet saw tears in his eyes. Fatimah (ALLAH Bless With Her) asked what was the reason for this, he told her that this boy of hers will achieve martyrdom, but consoled her by adding that God will create a nation who will mourn Hussain till the Day of Judgement.
Another famous saying of the Prophet at the same time became synonymous with the name of his grandson Hussain.
Another famous saying of the Prophet at the same time became synonymous with the name of his grandson Hussain.
“Hussian-o-Minni wa Ana Minul Hussain”
Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain
Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain
One can explain this Hadith that Hussain, being the grand son of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was from him biologically. How a grandfather was from his grand son needs to be explained. Prophets of God speak spiritually rather than materially. He was talking about Islam the Deen he was assigned by God to propagate God's religion. He was for Islam and his whole life was for Islam and its establishment on earth. Any break in this mission would subvert this mission which was the purpose of his creation. The message of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in this saying was that Hussain will, in some near future save this mission from destruction, hence the very purpose of his being will be saved by the sacrifice of his grandson. He was giving the news of a future occurrence. The story of Kerbala unfolds.
Life from childhood till death of Hasan Ibn Ali
Map of the Rashidun Caliphate (dark green) with vassal states (light green) in 654
It was just seven years of his life with his grandfather that the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) died and soon after, Hussain’s mother Hazrat Fatima (ALLAH Bless With Her) also died. The next 25 years of his life in Madinah was with his father Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him), his brother Hasan (ALLAH Bless With Him) and many other brothers and sisters in the family. He grew up to be loved by the companions of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). During the period of second Khilafat-e-Rasheda, Umar Ibn Al-Khattab had always shown his love and respect for Hussain. Whenever Hussain entered the mosque, the Caliph would let him sit beside him and tell the companions to listen to what this young man says. They all valued his advice even at that young age. His main activity in Madinah was to see that the people there know true Islam. He also managed the Trust set up by his father, to help the poor of the city by giving them food and many necessities of life. This was the true Islamic Welfare State in progress where every hungry mouth must have food, every naked person must have clothes and a shelter over his head.
Apart from administering the Trust set up by his father Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him), Hussain's main occupation during these 25 years in Madina was to teach the newly converted muslims real Islam through the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet. He has performed Hajj 24 times during this period. He has also travelled to Yemen and most of the southern part of Hejaz and Najd. It is clear that he did not take any part in any of the expeditions by the muslim forces under the directions of the three Kholafa.
After the death of the 3rd Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan (ALLAH Bless With Him), Husain’s father Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) was compelled by the people of Madinah overwhelmingly to take the reigns of power. Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) was reluctant and waited for three days before accepting the mantle of worldly power along with the authority of Imamah. Circumstances changed rapidly and within the first 6 month of Ali’s Khilafat he had to leave Madinah for Basra and the battle of Jamal took place in 10th Jumada Al-Thani, 36 Hijri (December 4, 656). Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) who took no part in any battles before, was a commander of Ali’s forces in this first battle under his father’s leadership. Fighting began and ended in just one day, the battle was over, Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) performed funeral prayers on dead of both sides and buried them. Victors and vanquished were treated the same way. Ayesha (ALLAH Bless With Her) was returned to Madina under the escort of her brother Muhammad Ibne Abibakr and 40 other men. She repented her participation in the battle all her life and never forgave Talha and Zubair who deceived her into this battle against Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him). She also realized that the true instigator of this battle was Muawiya under whose directions both Talha and Zubair started this whole adventure against the legitimately elected Caliph of Islam. It was to destabilize the power base of Islam which was the Khilafat of Ali(ALLAH Bless With Him). When he did not succeed in this he began other tactics to do thsame. His bands of soldiers raided many parts of Iraq to burn and loot villages and destroy communities. Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) had no choice but to prepare for battle with Muawiya. The battle of Siffin took place in the second year of Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) Khilafat July 26 to July 28, 657 CE and Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) took full part. He was the commander of a garrison of 10,000 men along with his elder brother Hasan (ALLAH Bless With Him) and Muhammad Hanafiya. Nevertheless they took full part in these battles and fought with great bravery.
The third battle during the Khilafat of Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the battle of Nehrwan fought against the Khawarij in 659. This was also over in just one day with total defeat of Khawarij. Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) returned to Kufa and the main administration of the Islamic Welfare State began. Both brothers were the chief administrators of this Welfare State where they would seek out those poor adestitute within the state and provide them with the necessities of life. While living with his father in Kufa, Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) visited various northern part of the Islamic State. One story goes to say that he visited Azerbaijan and part of Iran of that time. In 661 CE, Ali was assassinated in the Mosque of Kufa by Ibn Muljam, a relative of one of the rebel soldiers he had defeated and killed. His last words were "Fuztu wa rabb al-Ka'bah" - meaning By The Lord of the Ka'bah, I have succeeded.
Four years and 10 months of his father’s Khilafat were over quickly and his life with his elder brother Hasan (ALLAH Bless With Him) began in Madina. They still have the Trust state which was established by his father and both brothers administered it jointly. Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) visited Makkah and performed Hajj 9 times during the life time of his brother.
Hasan Ibn Ali, the grandson of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), briefly assumed the caliphate upon being appointed by Ali. He came to an agreement with Mu'awiya and fixed relations between the two groups of Muslims that were each loyal to one of the two men. Mu'awiya gained control of the Caliphate and founded the Umayyad Empire, marking the end of the Rashidun Caliphate.
Apart from administering the Trust set up by his father Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him), Hussain's main occupation during these 25 years in Madina was to teach the newly converted muslims real Islam through the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet. He has performed Hajj 24 times during this period. He has also travelled to Yemen and most of the southern part of Hejaz and Najd. It is clear that he did not take any part in any of the expeditions by the muslim forces under the directions of the three Kholafa.
After the death of the 3rd Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan (ALLAH Bless With Him), Husain’s father Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) was compelled by the people of Madinah overwhelmingly to take the reigns of power. Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) was reluctant and waited for three days before accepting the mantle of worldly power along with the authority of Imamah. Circumstances changed rapidly and within the first 6 month of Ali’s Khilafat he had to leave Madinah for Basra and the battle of Jamal took place in 10th Jumada Al-Thani, 36 Hijri (December 4, 656). Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) who took no part in any battles before, was a commander of Ali’s forces in this first battle under his father’s leadership. Fighting began and ended in just one day, the battle was over, Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) performed funeral prayers on dead of both sides and buried them. Victors and vanquished were treated the same way. Ayesha (ALLAH Bless With Her) was returned to Madina under the escort of her brother Muhammad Ibne Abibakr and 40 other men. She repented her participation in the battle all her life and never forgave Talha and Zubair who deceived her into this battle against Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him). She also realized that the true instigator of this battle was Muawiya under whose directions both Talha and Zubair started this whole adventure against the legitimately elected Caliph of Islam. It was to destabilize the power base of Islam which was the Khilafat of Ali(ALLAH Bless With Him). When he did not succeed in this he began other tactics to do thsame. His bands of soldiers raided many parts of Iraq to burn and loot villages and destroy communities. Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) had no choice but to prepare for battle with Muawiya. The battle of Siffin took place in the second year of Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) Khilafat July 26 to July 28, 657 CE and Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) took full part. He was the commander of a garrison of 10,000 men along with his elder brother Hasan (ALLAH Bless With Him) and Muhammad Hanafiya. Nevertheless they took full part in these battles and fought with great bravery.
The third battle during the Khilafat of Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the battle of Nehrwan fought against the Khawarij in 659. This was also over in just one day with total defeat of Khawarij. Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) returned to Kufa and the main administration of the Islamic Welfare State began. Both brothers were the chief administrators of this Welfare State where they would seek out those poor adestitute within the state and provide them with the necessities of life. While living with his father in Kufa, Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) visited various northern part of the Islamic State. One story goes to say that he visited Azerbaijan and part of Iran of that time. In 661 CE, Ali was assassinated in the Mosque of Kufa by Ibn Muljam, a relative of one of the rebel soldiers he had defeated and killed. His last words were "Fuztu wa rabb al-Ka'bah" - meaning By The Lord of the Ka'bah, I have succeeded.
Four years and 10 months of his father’s Khilafat were over quickly and his life with his elder brother Hasan (ALLAH Bless With Him) began in Madina. They still have the Trust state which was established by his father and both brothers administered it jointly. Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) visited Makkah and performed Hajj 9 times during the life time of his brother.
Hasan Ibn Ali, the grandson of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), briefly assumed the caliphate upon being appointed by Ali. He came to an agreement with Mu'awiya and fixed relations between the two groups of Muslims that were each loyal to one of the two men. Mu'awiya gained control of the Caliphate and founded the Umayyad Empire, marking the end of the Rashidun Caliphate.
Life after Hasan Ibne Ali till leaving Makkah
After the martyrdom of his brother Hasan Ibn Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him), Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) took the mantle of Imamat and spiritual guidance of the Ummah. It is during this period that during one of his journeys to Makkah for pilgrimage, his famous Duas (Supplication) of Arafah became famous. This is a Dua which at the place of Arafat during the Hajj ritual that Imam recited and many pilgrims heard it and instantly memorised it as was the practice of the people of that time. Qur'an was also memorised in the same manner and many Sermons of Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) were also memorised by people. This Dua of Arafa became famous because of its deep insight into the realms of spirituality of Islam and its total dependence upon ALLAH’s Will and Power. This also gives insight into the reasons why Imam Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) left Makkah for Kerbala. The following extract shows this feeling of the Imam towards reform of the Umma of his grandfather,
“O’God: you know that our struggle, moves, protests, and campaigns have not been, and are not, for the sake of rivalry and for obtaining power, neither are they for the sake of personal ambition nor for wordly ends, nor for the purpose of accumulating wealth and acquiring wordly advantages. “ Then what is their purpose? Imam states the purpose in these words.
“To establish the landmarks of Your Deen, to make reforms manifest in Your lands, so that the oppressed among Your servants may have security, and Your laws, which have been suspended and cast into neglect, may be reinstated.”
Further on in this same Dua the Imam calls upon his creator to show his total dependence upon Him.
O’ He, upon whom I called when I was sick and He healed me, when naked, He clothed me, when hungry He fed me, when thirsty He gave me drink, when abased He exalted me, when ignorant, He gave me knowledge, when alone He provided companion, when away from home He returned me home, when empty handed He enriched me, when in need of help He helped me, when rich He took not from me”.
This kind of complete dependence upon God which is the Hallmark of Islamic teachings, was taught by the Imam to the people of Madinah and Makkah, and the whole of Hejaz he visited.
Once a baduin asked Imam what is the best thing to do. Imam replied, "Belief in God". He asked again, what is the best means of deliverance from destruction, Imam said, "Trust in God". The man asked, what is man’s ornament, Imam replied," knowledge associated with intelligence". The man insisted, if this be not available, what then, Imam replied, "Wealth accompanied with generosity". What if this be out of reach, Imam said, "Poverty allied with patience". What if this be not practicable?, Imam smiled and said, let the lightening consume the man to ashes. He then gave whatever money he had with him to fulfil his needs.
It was in the month of Rajab, 60th Hijri (May 6, 680) that Muawiyah I died and his son Yazid succeeded his father on the throne of the Empire with Damascus as its capital.
Muawiyah I had told Yazid that
"Whatever you do when you become ruler after my death, do not ask Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) for the oath of allegiance. Leave him where he is and you will have no problems.”
But Yazid in his arrogance of power did not bother to remember the wishes of his father. The very first thing he did was to write a letter to his Governor in Madinah informing him of his succession to the throne of his father and ordering him to take the Oath of Allegiance from Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him). Yazid realized that although he had full temporal power and is the virtual ruler of the Empire, but he has no spiritual strength unless the grandson of the Prophet accepts him as such. People in Makkah and Madinah would still regard Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) as their leader if only spiritually. Walid Ibne Ataba the Governor of Madinah receives this letter on 26th of Rajab, 60th Hijri. It was dusk and people were getting ready for Maghrib prayers. Walid immediately sent a messenger to Imam’s house and called him to the palace. Imam realised the seriousness of the situation and took his brothers and sons with him. When they arrived at the gate of the palace Imam asked to stay outside and wait and only enter the gates when they hear Imam speak loudly. After these instructions Imam entered the palace. There was Walid sitting in his high chair with Merwan Ibnul Hakam by his side. Imam asked,
“What is the matter that I was called at this hour”. Walid mentioned Muawiyah I’s death, Yazid’s accession to the throne and the demand for Imam’s oath of allegiance. Imam replied that this is not the matter which can be done in the solitude of the palace, let this matter be brought before the people of Madinah next day in the mosque of the Prophet. Imam stood up to leave while Merwan who was listening to this conversation did not like it and warned Walid that if he lets Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) go he will loose him. Take the oath now or cut his head off as Yazid suggested in his letter. Imam after hearing this remark from Merwan told Walid loudly,” A person like me would not give the oath of allegiance to a person like Yazid who had violated all tenets of Islam”. As Imam said these words loudly, his brothers and sons entered the palace and they all left safely. Imam realised after consulting his friends and relatives that the life of peace for them in Madinah was over.
Imam, after leaving Madinah in the month of Rajab, stayed in Makkah for about 5 months. It was in the month of Zilhijjah, 60th Hijri when he noticed that there were Yazid’s soldiers in Makkah in the garb of Ahram to kill the Imam inside the Masjid-ul-Haram. Imam changed the rituals of Hajj into Umra and decided to leave Makkah. The date was 8th of Zilhijjah, 60th Hijri. When people saw the Imam leaving before completing the Hajj they began to ask questions as to why he was leaving in such a hurry. Some doubted his motives, saying that he might be leaving Makkah for Iraq to confront Yazid and take power into his hands. To quell these doubts he left a letter with his brother Muhammad-e-Hanafiya which clearly states his purpose of leaving Makkah. He wrote in the letter,
“I have not come out to stir emotions, to play with discontentment, to provoke dissension or to spread oppression. I wish to bring the Umma back to the path of Amr-bil-Ma’arouf and Nahyi Unil Munker. I wish to bring them back to the path of my grandfather the Messenger of ALLAH and of my father Ali Ibne Abi Talib”.
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him), after leaving Madinah in the month of Rajab, stayed in Makkah for about 5 months. It was in the month of Zilhijjah, 60th Hijri when he noticed that there were Yazid’s soldiers in Makkah in the garb of Ahram to kill the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) inside the Masjid-ul-Haram. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) changed the rituals of Hajj into Umra and decided to leave Makkah. The date was 8th of Zilhijjah, 60th Hijri. When people saw the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) leaving before completing the Hajj they began to ask questions as to why he was leaving in such a hurry. Some doubted his motives, saying that he might be leaving Makkah for Iraq to confront Yazid and take power into his hands. To quell these doubts he left a letter with his brother Muhammad-e-Hanafiya which clearly states his purpose of leaving Makkah. He wrote in the letter,
“I have not come out to stir emotions, to play with discontentment, to provoke dissension or to spread oppression. I wish to bring the Umma back to the path of Amr-bil-Ma’arouf and Nahyi Unil Munker. I wish to bring them back to the path of my grandfather the Messenger of ALLAH and of my father Ali Ibne Abi Talib”.
The religious attitudes of the Umayyad also inspired people who believed that leadership of the Muslim community rightly belonged to the descendants of Mohammad, so they urged Husayn to join them and come to Kufa to establish his caliphate since they had no Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). They told him that they did not attend the Friday prayer with the governor of Kufa, No'man Ibn Bashir, and would drive him out of the town as soon as Husayn agreed to come to them.
To convince Husayn to come they sent him seven messengers with bags of letters of support by Kufan warriors and tribal leaders. Husayn wrote the Kufans and told them that he understood from their letters that they had no Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and they wished him to come to unite them by the correct guidance. He informed them that he was sending his cousin Muslim Ibn Aqeel (ALLAH Bless With Him) to report to him on the situation. If he found them united as their letters indicated he would quickly join them, for it was the duty of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) to act in accordance with the Qur'an and to uphold justice, proclaim the truth, and to dedicate himself to the cause of God. The mission of Ibn Aqeel was initially successful. The Kufans visited him freely, and 18,000 men are said to have enlisted with him in support of Husayn as their saviour and Caliph. He wrote to Husayn, encouraging him to come quickly to Kufa.
In Kufa the situation changed radically when Yazid replaced Noman Ibn Bashir with Ubayd-Allah Ibn Ziyad, ordering the latter to disperse the crowd supporting Muslim Ibn Agail but without killing either Muslim Ibn Aqeel or Al-Husayn. Ubayd-Allah succeeded in intimidating the tribal chiefs, and a revolt collapsed when the rebels failed to capture the governor's palace. Ibn Aqeel was found and delivered to Ubayd-Allah, and after agreeing with Muslim Ibn Aqeel (ALLAH Bless With Him) to send a message to Al-Husayn (ALLAH Bless With Him) with the following:
"Return with your family, and don't be deceived by the people of Kufa. They have misled you and me"
Ubayd-Allah bin Ziyad killed Muslim Ibn Aqeel (ALLAH Bless With Him). However, the message was not received by Al-Husayn (ALLAH Bless With Him) when he decided to leave Mecca against the advice of Muhammad's companions, including Abdullah Ibn Al-Zubayr (ALLAH Bless With Him).
“O’God: you know that our struggle, moves, protests, and campaigns have not been, and are not, for the sake of rivalry and for obtaining power, neither are they for the sake of personal ambition nor for wordly ends, nor for the purpose of accumulating wealth and acquiring wordly advantages. “ Then what is their purpose? Imam states the purpose in these words.
“To establish the landmarks of Your Deen, to make reforms manifest in Your lands, so that the oppressed among Your servants may have security, and Your laws, which have been suspended and cast into neglect, may be reinstated.”
Further on in this same Dua the Imam calls upon his creator to show his total dependence upon Him.
O’ He, upon whom I called when I was sick and He healed me, when naked, He clothed me, when hungry He fed me, when thirsty He gave me drink, when abased He exalted me, when ignorant, He gave me knowledge, when alone He provided companion, when away from home He returned me home, when empty handed He enriched me, when in need of help He helped me, when rich He took not from me”.
This kind of complete dependence upon God which is the Hallmark of Islamic teachings, was taught by the Imam to the people of Madinah and Makkah, and the whole of Hejaz he visited.
Once a baduin asked Imam what is the best thing to do. Imam replied, "Belief in God". He asked again, what is the best means of deliverance from destruction, Imam said, "Trust in God". The man asked, what is man’s ornament, Imam replied," knowledge associated with intelligence". The man insisted, if this be not available, what then, Imam replied, "Wealth accompanied with generosity". What if this be out of reach, Imam said, "Poverty allied with patience". What if this be not practicable?, Imam smiled and said, let the lightening consume the man to ashes. He then gave whatever money he had with him to fulfil his needs.
It was in the month of Rajab, 60th Hijri (May 6, 680) that Muawiyah I died and his son Yazid succeeded his father on the throne of the Empire with Damascus as its capital.
Muawiyah I had told Yazid that
"Whatever you do when you become ruler after my death, do not ask Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) for the oath of allegiance. Leave him where he is and you will have no problems.”
But Yazid in his arrogance of power did not bother to remember the wishes of his father. The very first thing he did was to write a letter to his Governor in Madinah informing him of his succession to the throne of his father and ordering him to take the Oath of Allegiance from Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him). Yazid realized that although he had full temporal power and is the virtual ruler of the Empire, but he has no spiritual strength unless the grandson of the Prophet accepts him as such. People in Makkah and Madinah would still regard Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) as their leader if only spiritually. Walid Ibne Ataba the Governor of Madinah receives this letter on 26th of Rajab, 60th Hijri. It was dusk and people were getting ready for Maghrib prayers. Walid immediately sent a messenger to Imam’s house and called him to the palace. Imam realised the seriousness of the situation and took his brothers and sons with him. When they arrived at the gate of the palace Imam asked to stay outside and wait and only enter the gates when they hear Imam speak loudly. After these instructions Imam entered the palace. There was Walid sitting in his high chair with Merwan Ibnul Hakam by his side. Imam asked,
“What is the matter that I was called at this hour”. Walid mentioned Muawiyah I’s death, Yazid’s accession to the throne and the demand for Imam’s oath of allegiance. Imam replied that this is not the matter which can be done in the solitude of the palace, let this matter be brought before the people of Madinah next day in the mosque of the Prophet. Imam stood up to leave while Merwan who was listening to this conversation did not like it and warned Walid that if he lets Hussain (ALLAH Bless With Him) go he will loose him. Take the oath now or cut his head off as Yazid suggested in his letter. Imam after hearing this remark from Merwan told Walid loudly,” A person like me would not give the oath of allegiance to a person like Yazid who had violated all tenets of Islam”. As Imam said these words loudly, his brothers and sons entered the palace and they all left safely. Imam realised after consulting his friends and relatives that the life of peace for them in Madinah was over.
Imam, after leaving Madinah in the month of Rajab, stayed in Makkah for about 5 months. It was in the month of Zilhijjah, 60th Hijri when he noticed that there were Yazid’s soldiers in Makkah in the garb of Ahram to kill the Imam inside the Masjid-ul-Haram. Imam changed the rituals of Hajj into Umra and decided to leave Makkah. The date was 8th of Zilhijjah, 60th Hijri. When people saw the Imam leaving before completing the Hajj they began to ask questions as to why he was leaving in such a hurry. Some doubted his motives, saying that he might be leaving Makkah for Iraq to confront Yazid and take power into his hands. To quell these doubts he left a letter with his brother Muhammad-e-Hanafiya which clearly states his purpose of leaving Makkah. He wrote in the letter,
“I have not come out to stir emotions, to play with discontentment, to provoke dissension or to spread oppression. I wish to bring the Umma back to the path of Amr-bil-Ma’arouf and Nahyi Unil Munker. I wish to bring them back to the path of my grandfather the Messenger of ALLAH and of my father Ali Ibne Abi Talib”.
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him), after leaving Madinah in the month of Rajab, stayed in Makkah for about 5 months. It was in the month of Zilhijjah, 60th Hijri when he noticed that there were Yazid’s soldiers in Makkah in the garb of Ahram to kill the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) inside the Masjid-ul-Haram. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) changed the rituals of Hajj into Umra and decided to leave Makkah. The date was 8th of Zilhijjah, 60th Hijri. When people saw the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) leaving before completing the Hajj they began to ask questions as to why he was leaving in such a hurry. Some doubted his motives, saying that he might be leaving Makkah for Iraq to confront Yazid and take power into his hands. To quell these doubts he left a letter with his brother Muhammad-e-Hanafiya which clearly states his purpose of leaving Makkah. He wrote in the letter,
“I have not come out to stir emotions, to play with discontentment, to provoke dissension or to spread oppression. I wish to bring the Umma back to the path of Amr-bil-Ma’arouf and Nahyi Unil Munker. I wish to bring them back to the path of my grandfather the Messenger of ALLAH and of my father Ali Ibne Abi Talib”.
The religious attitudes of the Umayyad also inspired people who believed that leadership of the Muslim community rightly belonged to the descendants of Mohammad, so they urged Husayn to join them and come to Kufa to establish his caliphate since they had no Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). They told him that they did not attend the Friday prayer with the governor of Kufa, No'man Ibn Bashir, and would drive him out of the town as soon as Husayn agreed to come to them.
To convince Husayn to come they sent him seven messengers with bags of letters of support by Kufan warriors and tribal leaders. Husayn wrote the Kufans and told them that he understood from their letters that they had no Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and they wished him to come to unite them by the correct guidance. He informed them that he was sending his cousin Muslim Ibn Aqeel (ALLAH Bless With Him) to report to him on the situation. If he found them united as their letters indicated he would quickly join them, for it was the duty of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) to act in accordance with the Qur'an and to uphold justice, proclaim the truth, and to dedicate himself to the cause of God. The mission of Ibn Aqeel was initially successful. The Kufans visited him freely, and 18,000 men are said to have enlisted with him in support of Husayn as their saviour and Caliph. He wrote to Husayn, encouraging him to come quickly to Kufa.
In Kufa the situation changed radically when Yazid replaced Noman Ibn Bashir with Ubayd-Allah Ibn Ziyad, ordering the latter to disperse the crowd supporting Muslim Ibn Agail but without killing either Muslim Ibn Aqeel or Al-Husayn. Ubayd-Allah succeeded in intimidating the tribal chiefs, and a revolt collapsed when the rebels failed to capture the governor's palace. Ibn Aqeel was found and delivered to Ubayd-Allah, and after agreeing with Muslim Ibn Aqeel (ALLAH Bless With Him) to send a message to Al-Husayn (ALLAH Bless With Him) with the following:
"Return with your family, and don't be deceived by the people of Kufa. They have misled you and me"
Ubayd-Allah bin Ziyad killed Muslim Ibn Aqeel (ALLAH Bless With Him). However, the message was not received by Al-Husayn (ALLAH Bless With Him) when he decided to leave Mecca against the advice of Muhammad's companions, including Abdullah Ibn Al-Zubayr (ALLAH Bless With Him).
Journey towards Kufa
Route of Imam Hussain from Makkah to Karbala
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) lefted Makkah for Kufa. There were 14 places in all where the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was known to have passed during this journey.
The first place was called Saffah. Here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed for the night. The next morning when he was preparing to leave for his next Manzil that he met the famous poet Farazdaq who was coming from Iraq and was going to Makkah for pilgrimage. When he learnt that Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was proceeding for Iraq he tried to persuade him not to go there. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked Farazdaq about the conditions in Kufa and the poet replied, "Peoples hearts are with you but their swords are against you". Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) told him, ALLAH does what he wishes, I leave it to Him who proposes the just cause. Farazdaq left the place for Makkah and Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s caravan proceeded towards its next Manzil. The second Manzil was Dhat-ul-Irq. Here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed the night. Here he met Abdullah Ibn Jaafar (ALLAH Bless With Him) who was Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s cousin and husband of his sister Zainab (ALLAH Bless With Her). Abdullah brought his two sons Aun and Mohammad to accompany the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). Abdullah also tried to persuade the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) to postpone his journey and return to Madina.
But Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied,
"My destiny is in the hands of ALLAH”.
These words which mention his destiny were repeated at many places during this journey and clearly indicate that he had a mission in his mind and he was proceeding towards that mission without fail.
The third stage in the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s journey was the small town called Batn-ur-Rumma. From here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) sent a letter to one of his friends in Kufa asking about the situation there. Qais Ibn Mushahir took the letter for the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). He also met Abdullah Ibn Mutee who was also coming from the troubled land of Iraq. He also tried to persuade the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) not to proceed any further. He said that Kufans were not faithful to anyone "Al Kufi La Yufi"- They could not be trusted. But Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) continued with his fateful journey with the same words that his destiny is in the hands of ALLAH.
The fourth Stage of Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s journey took him to Zurud. This was a small town just over the hills of Hejaz separating from the province of Najd. From here the mountains change into arid desert. At this place Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) met Zohair Ibne Qain. Zohair, until that time, was not the follower of Ahlul-bayt. He was undecided and considered himself as a person in middle not able to decide which side was the right one. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) saw Zohair’s tent pitched in the distant and sent his emissary with a note. Zohair read the note, realized for the first time in his life that time for decision to chose the right path has arrived. Something happened to him inside that has changed his entire life. What was written in the note is not clear, but Zohair told his friends to take his wife and children back to his tribal lands, and he himself set out to join the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his caravan. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) wrote another letter to his childhood friend Habib Ibn Mazahir Al-Asadi (ALLAH Bless With Him) in Kufa inviting to join him in his journey of destiny. Habib was an old companion of the Prophet, was much o then the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). Some historians mention Habib’s age at 82. Another important point worth mentioning here is that these additional people invited by the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) were each from different tribes of Arabia. Out of total number of 72 male warriors with the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him), 18 were from his own family, all descendents of Abu Talib. But rest of the martyrs were from all places and all creeds, almost from all Islamic lands of that time. There were men from Sham (Syria), from Jaba-el-Amul (Lebanon), from Armenia, from Azerbaijan, from Yemen, Abysiniya and Egypt. It appears that Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was taking special care that whoever is martyred with him on the Day of Ashura comes from different tribes and different lands, different culture and creed so that the message reaches all corners of the Islamic lands through their relatives and friends.
The fifth stage of Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s journey was a small town called Zabala. Here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) learnt from two tribesmen coming from Kufa, about the death of Muslim Ibn Aqeel (ALLAH Bless With Him). Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) uttered the words, "InnLillahe wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon", loudly that all around him hear these words and know that something momentous has happened. When all his companions gathered around him he said, "IndALLAH Nahtasib Unfosana", which means that before God we all are accountable to our actions and deeds". Asadi Tribesmen tried to dissuade the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) from proceeding any further, but to no avail. He told his companions of the death of his cousin Muslim.
In a very touching way he told Muslim’s 4 year daughter of the death of his father. He called her, put her on his lap and gave her a pair of ear rings to put on. She asked why? then she replied herself, it looks like that her father has died and that she is an orphan now. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) hugged her, consoled her and told her that he will look after her in place of her father. There was a commotion inside the ladies camp as they all realised that Kufa cannot be their destiny any longer. They also learnt that with Muslim, his two small children and his friend Hani were also killed along with many friends of Ahlulbayt. Hoards of tribesmen who were still with the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)'s party left him as they all realized for sure that there was not going to be a war for victory over Yazid but the purpose was something else. By this fifth stage only about 50 people were left with the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and many of them were women and children.
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) left Zabala and arrived at Batn-e-Aqiq at his sixth Manzil. Here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) met a man from the Tribe of Akrama who told him that Kufa was not a friendly town, that Yazid’s army has surrounded this garrison town, no one was allowed to leave or enter the town. But Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) carried on toward his destiny.
The seventh Manzil was Sorat. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed the night here and in the morning after Fajr prayer he asked his companions to store as much as water as possible in all possible containers and sheep skins they had. The Wells were underground, and the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s companions filled all possible containers, jars, sheepskins with water. The next day they arrived at a place called Sharaf. While the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was passing from this valley that one of his companions called out that he could see the approach of any army through the dust storm. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked for a safe place, preferably a hill at their back. A guide took them near a hill where Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked everyone to dismount while kept the hill at their back. The name of the place was Zuhasm. It was here that Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) met Hur’s army of 1000 men. They were coming from Kufa and appeared to be without water for sometime. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked his companions to give them water in spite of the fact that they were hostile to Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s party. Everyone drank to their fill, even horses and camels drank. One soldier was so thirsty that he was unable to drink the water himself and the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) went to him and poured water in his mouth. Hurr who was the leader of that brigade from Kufa came to the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and wanted to get hold of the reins of his horse to which Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied not to be impertinent. Hur then refrained from doing that, but told the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) he will take him to Kufa under escort to which Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not agree. While they were discussing these matters that the time for the Zohr arrived and all of them, friends and enemy alike stood behind the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) to complete their prayers. After the prayers Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) told Hurr and his soldiers that he had received many letters from Kufa inviting him to go there as an Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and guide in all matters religious or secular. The actual words of Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s Khutba as mentioned by Tabari is as follows.
“ O people of Kufa, you sent me delegations and wrote me letters that you had no Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and that I should come to unite you and lead you in the way of God. You replied that we Ahlulbayt are more qualified to govern your affairs than those who claim things to which they had no rights and act unjustly., But if you have changed your mind, have become ignorant of our Rights and have forgotten your promises, than I shall turn back ”.
But the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his companions were denied by Hur’s soldiers to turn back. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not wish to go to Kufa now, and Hur’s army did not want them to return to Madina. So a compromise was reached by both parties to bye- pass Kufa and turn towards north. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his party was leading and the Hur’s army was behind them. In two days journey they arrived at a place called Baiza.
Baiza was the tenth Manzil. At Baiza Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) delivered his most memorable sermon. History recorded this sermon fully. The words of this sermon clearly indicate the very purpose of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) for leaving Makkah and his reasons of opposing the oath of allegiance to Yazid. He said,
"O People, The Prophet of Islam has said that if a believer sees a tyrannical ruler transgressing against ALLAH and his Messenger and oppressing people, but does nothing by word or action to change the situation, then it will be just for God to place him where he deservingly belongs. Do you not see to what low level the affairs have come to.., do you not observe that truth has not adhered and falsehood has no limits. And as for me, I look upon death but a means of attaining martyrdom. I consider life among the transgressors an agony and an affliction".
The next Manzil was Uzaibul Hajanat. Here Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed away from the escorting army of Hur. He met Trimmah Bin Adi. After having known about the Kufan abandonment of his envoy Muslim, it became clear that Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) had no hope of support or even survival in Kufa. Nevertheless, he refused an offer of safety extended to him by Trimmah Bin Adi. Ibn Adi was the leader of a powerful Tribe of Adi in the area. He pleaded the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) to accept his offer of 20,000 armed soldiers from his Tribe to help him if he wishes to go to Kufa to fight with the army of Yazid. Adi even offered the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his small entourage to a hideout in the Tribal hills away from Kufa. But Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) rejected all such offers of safety and indulgence in war. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied to Ibn Adi,
"ALLAH will bless you and your people for your good intentions. I cannot go from my word. Things are destined".
It is clear from this reply that the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was fully aware of the impending dangers he and his family and friends would face if he continues with his journey without any help from outside forces. He had a certain strategy and plan in his mind to bring about a revolution in the conscience of the Muslim Ummah. He did not mobilise military support which he could easily have mustered in Hedjaz, nor did he try to exploit whatever physical strength was available to him. On the othand he was discouraging any such suggestions of an army to fight physically.
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s twelvth Manzil was Qasre Bani Maqatil. It was evident here that Kufa was no more his destination. As Hur did not want him to leave for anywhere else, a compromise was reached and they bye passed Kufa and took a new route. Resting in the heat of the afternoon, Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) uttered a sentence which is said in circumstances when someone hears of death. His elder son Ali Akber (ALLAH Bless With Him) came forward and enquired about this sentence. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied that while he was half a sleep he saw in his dream that some one was shouting loudly that this caravan was destined towards death. Ali Akber (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked, are we not on the Right Path. An unusual question so it seems. But when the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied that they were indeed on the Right Path, his son’s reply was again typical of this family of the Prophet. Father, when we are on the Right Path, we have no worries whether death takes us or we fall upon death. The young son of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was satisfied as long as their Paths were Right. Death meant not them for they were fully aware that death of this kind transforms into the glory of martyrdom.
Their Thirteenth Manzil was Nainawah. At this place a messenger from Ibn Ziad the Governor of Kufa came to meet the army of Hur and told them not to leave the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his party under any circumstances. The battered Caravan passed through Ghaziriyah and arrived at a place by the river Banks of the Euphretes. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked the name of this place and he was told the name Karbala. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied, this is the place of Kerbin-wa-bala, i.e. the place of torture and pain. Let us stop here, Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) ordered to dismount. We have reached our destination.
The first place was called Saffah. Here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed for the night. The next morning when he was preparing to leave for his next Manzil that he met the famous poet Farazdaq who was coming from Iraq and was going to Makkah for pilgrimage. When he learnt that Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was proceeding for Iraq he tried to persuade him not to go there. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked Farazdaq about the conditions in Kufa and the poet replied, "Peoples hearts are with you but their swords are against you". Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) told him, ALLAH does what he wishes, I leave it to Him who proposes the just cause. Farazdaq left the place for Makkah and Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s caravan proceeded towards its next Manzil. The second Manzil was Dhat-ul-Irq. Here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed the night. Here he met Abdullah Ibn Jaafar (ALLAH Bless With Him) who was Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s cousin and husband of his sister Zainab (ALLAH Bless With Her). Abdullah brought his two sons Aun and Mohammad to accompany the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). Abdullah also tried to persuade the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) to postpone his journey and return to Madina.
But Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied,
"My destiny is in the hands of ALLAH”.
These words which mention his destiny were repeated at many places during this journey and clearly indicate that he had a mission in his mind and he was proceeding towards that mission without fail.
The third stage in the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s journey was the small town called Batn-ur-Rumma. From here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) sent a letter to one of his friends in Kufa asking about the situation there. Qais Ibn Mushahir took the letter for the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). He also met Abdullah Ibn Mutee who was also coming from the troubled land of Iraq. He also tried to persuade the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) not to proceed any further. He said that Kufans were not faithful to anyone "Al Kufi La Yufi"- They could not be trusted. But Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) continued with his fateful journey with the same words that his destiny is in the hands of ALLAH.
The fourth Stage of Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s journey took him to Zurud. This was a small town just over the hills of Hejaz separating from the province of Najd. From here the mountains change into arid desert. At this place Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) met Zohair Ibne Qain. Zohair, until that time, was not the follower of Ahlul-bayt. He was undecided and considered himself as a person in middle not able to decide which side was the right one. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) saw Zohair’s tent pitched in the distant and sent his emissary with a note. Zohair read the note, realized for the first time in his life that time for decision to chose the right path has arrived. Something happened to him inside that has changed his entire life. What was written in the note is not clear, but Zohair told his friends to take his wife and children back to his tribal lands, and he himself set out to join the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his caravan. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) wrote another letter to his childhood friend Habib Ibn Mazahir Al-Asadi (ALLAH Bless With Him) in Kufa inviting to join him in his journey of destiny. Habib was an old companion of the Prophet, was much o then the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). Some historians mention Habib’s age at 82. Another important point worth mentioning here is that these additional people invited by the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) were each from different tribes of Arabia. Out of total number of 72 male warriors with the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him), 18 were from his own family, all descendents of Abu Talib. But rest of the martyrs were from all places and all creeds, almost from all Islamic lands of that time. There were men from Sham (Syria), from Jaba-el-Amul (Lebanon), from Armenia, from Azerbaijan, from Yemen, Abysiniya and Egypt. It appears that Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was taking special care that whoever is martyred with him on the Day of Ashura comes from different tribes and different lands, different culture and creed so that the message reaches all corners of the Islamic lands through their relatives and friends.
The fifth stage of Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s journey was a small town called Zabala. Here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) learnt from two tribesmen coming from Kufa, about the death of Muslim Ibn Aqeel (ALLAH Bless With Him). Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) uttered the words, "InnLillahe wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon", loudly that all around him hear these words and know that something momentous has happened. When all his companions gathered around him he said, "IndALLAH Nahtasib Unfosana", which means that before God we all are accountable to our actions and deeds". Asadi Tribesmen tried to dissuade the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) from proceeding any further, but to no avail. He told his companions of the death of his cousin Muslim.
In a very touching way he told Muslim’s 4 year daughter of the death of his father. He called her, put her on his lap and gave her a pair of ear rings to put on. She asked why? then she replied herself, it looks like that her father has died and that she is an orphan now. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) hugged her, consoled her and told her that he will look after her in place of her father. There was a commotion inside the ladies camp as they all realised that Kufa cannot be their destiny any longer. They also learnt that with Muslim, his two small children and his friend Hani were also killed along with many friends of Ahlulbayt. Hoards of tribesmen who were still with the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)'s party left him as they all realized for sure that there was not going to be a war for victory over Yazid but the purpose was something else. By this fifth stage only about 50 people were left with the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and many of them were women and children.
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) left Zabala and arrived at Batn-e-Aqiq at his sixth Manzil. Here the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) met a man from the Tribe of Akrama who told him that Kufa was not a friendly town, that Yazid’s army has surrounded this garrison town, no one was allowed to leave or enter the town. But Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) carried on toward his destiny.
The seventh Manzil was Sorat. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed the night here and in the morning after Fajr prayer he asked his companions to store as much as water as possible in all possible containers and sheep skins they had. The Wells were underground, and the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s companions filled all possible containers, jars, sheepskins with water. The next day they arrived at a place called Sharaf. While the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was passing from this valley that one of his companions called out that he could see the approach of any army through the dust storm. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked for a safe place, preferably a hill at their back. A guide took them near a hill where Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked everyone to dismount while kept the hill at their back. The name of the place was Zuhasm. It was here that Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) met Hur’s army of 1000 men. They were coming from Kufa and appeared to be without water for sometime. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked his companions to give them water in spite of the fact that they were hostile to Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s party. Everyone drank to their fill, even horses and camels drank. One soldier was so thirsty that he was unable to drink the water himself and the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) went to him and poured water in his mouth. Hurr who was the leader of that brigade from Kufa came to the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and wanted to get hold of the reins of his horse to which Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied not to be impertinent. Hur then refrained from doing that, but told the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) he will take him to Kufa under escort to which Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not agree. While they were discussing these matters that the time for the Zohr arrived and all of them, friends and enemy alike stood behind the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) to complete their prayers. After the prayers Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) told Hurr and his soldiers that he had received many letters from Kufa inviting him to go there as an Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and guide in all matters religious or secular. The actual words of Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s Khutba as mentioned by Tabari is as follows.
“ O people of Kufa, you sent me delegations and wrote me letters that you had no Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and that I should come to unite you and lead you in the way of God. You replied that we Ahlulbayt are more qualified to govern your affairs than those who claim things to which they had no rights and act unjustly., But if you have changed your mind, have become ignorant of our Rights and have forgotten your promises, than I shall turn back ”.
But the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his companions were denied by Hur’s soldiers to turn back. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not wish to go to Kufa now, and Hur’s army did not want them to return to Madina. So a compromise was reached by both parties to bye- pass Kufa and turn towards north. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his party was leading and the Hur’s army was behind them. In two days journey they arrived at a place called Baiza.
Baiza was the tenth Manzil. At Baiza Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) delivered his most memorable sermon. History recorded this sermon fully. The words of this sermon clearly indicate the very purpose of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) for leaving Makkah and his reasons of opposing the oath of allegiance to Yazid. He said,
"O People, The Prophet of Islam has said that if a believer sees a tyrannical ruler transgressing against ALLAH and his Messenger and oppressing people, but does nothing by word or action to change the situation, then it will be just for God to place him where he deservingly belongs. Do you not see to what low level the affairs have come to.., do you not observe that truth has not adhered and falsehood has no limits. And as for me, I look upon death but a means of attaining martyrdom. I consider life among the transgressors an agony and an affliction".
The next Manzil was Uzaibul Hajanat. Here Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed away from the escorting army of Hur. He met Trimmah Bin Adi. After having known about the Kufan abandonment of his envoy Muslim, it became clear that Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) had no hope of support or even survival in Kufa. Nevertheless, he refused an offer of safety extended to him by Trimmah Bin Adi. Ibn Adi was the leader of a powerful Tribe of Adi in the area. He pleaded the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) to accept his offer of 20,000 armed soldiers from his Tribe to help him if he wishes to go to Kufa to fight with the army of Yazid. Adi even offered the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his small entourage to a hideout in the Tribal hills away from Kufa. But Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) rejected all such offers of safety and indulgence in war. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied to Ibn Adi,
"ALLAH will bless you and your people for your good intentions. I cannot go from my word. Things are destined".
It is clear from this reply that the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was fully aware of the impending dangers he and his family and friends would face if he continues with his journey without any help from outside forces. He had a certain strategy and plan in his mind to bring about a revolution in the conscience of the Muslim Ummah. He did not mobilise military support which he could easily have mustered in Hedjaz, nor did he try to exploit whatever physical strength was available to him. On the othand he was discouraging any such suggestions of an army to fight physically.
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s twelvth Manzil was Qasre Bani Maqatil. It was evident here that Kufa was no more his destination. As Hur did not want him to leave for anywhere else, a compromise was reached and they bye passed Kufa and took a new route. Resting in the heat of the afternoon, Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) uttered a sentence which is said in circumstances when someone hears of death. His elder son Ali Akber (ALLAH Bless With Him) came forward and enquired about this sentence. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied that while he was half a sleep he saw in his dream that some one was shouting loudly that this caravan was destined towards death. Ali Akber (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked, are we not on the Right Path. An unusual question so it seems. But when the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied that they were indeed on the Right Path, his son’s reply was again typical of this family of the Prophet. Father, when we are on the Right Path, we have no worries whether death takes us or we fall upon death. The young son of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was satisfied as long as their Paths were Right. Death meant not them for they were fully aware that death of this kind transforms into the glory of martyrdom.
Their Thirteenth Manzil was Nainawah. At this place a messenger from Ibn Ziad the Governor of Kufa came to meet the army of Hur and told them not to leave the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his party under any circumstances. The battered Caravan passed through Ghaziriyah and arrived at a place by the river Banks of the Euphretes. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked the name of this place and he was told the name Karbala. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied, this is the place of Kerbin-wa-bala, i.e. the place of torture and pain. Let us stop here, Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) ordered to dismount. We have reached our destination.
Hussayn at Karbala
Holy grave of Husayn Ibn Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him)
Tents were pitched near the River Bank. The date was 2nd of Muharram 61 Hijiri (3rd October 681 AD). Hurr’s soldiers surrounded the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s camp. But no one knew what was going to happen until two days later on the 4th of Muharram that another contingent of 4000 men arrived from Kufa. The next day Shimr arrived with another 10,000 men to fight an army of about 40 people, among them were men of over 80 and children of 13 and 11 and even a 6 month old baby, the youngest son of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) who was only a month old when Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) left Madina in the Month of Rajab 5 months ago. Shimr ordered the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) and his entourage to leave the River Bank and pitch their tents away from it. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s brother Abbas and others refused, but Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) told them to move the tents. The tents were moved about 200 yards away from the River Bank and the river was immediately occupied by the soldiers of Yazid newly arrived from Kufa.
Next day 7th Muharram, All water supply was stopped for the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s party and soon the cry of thirst heard from the children in the camp. Whatever water they would have stored was finished within a day and by the 8th there was no water left in the camp. In the scorching heat of the desert even a few hours without water was impossible yet for three days these people were without water. On the afternoon of the 9th, Yazid’s army moved forward in a formation of attack. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was informed and he sent Abbas and Ali Akber to enquire about this. The reply was that orders were from Kufa to commence fighting and finish off with the family of the Prophet. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked them to give them a stay of one night for they all wished to spend their last night in meditation and prayers to God. The night was dark and horrible, flickering lights from the Camp of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was showing few people busy in prayers. The sound of their prayers in unison was coming out of the camp as if Honey bees were busy to build their nest. Whereas on the enemy side music and dancing had gone on all night. Many soldiers from Yazid’s army saw this difference and realised in awe who was on the path of God and who was not. Some soldiers slipped away from Yazid’s camp towards the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s camp knowing fully well that if fighting started the next morning they would surely perish. About 30 such people moved to Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s camp. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) held a meeting of his battered and thirsty companions and told them that the enemy wanted only his life. They have no animosity with any one else. When no one moved Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked that the candles should be put off, in case some of them were ashamed to show themselves running away from the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). The Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) also said that he was taking away the burden of the Oath of allegiance from them and made them free to go. “Take few of my relations with them” But when the candles were lit again, all were there, no one moved. One of the older companions named Muslim Ibn Awsajah came forward and declared that they were all one solid rock to fight for the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). If they were killed 70 times and then were made alive again they would still prefer to achieve martyrdom with the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) rather than live with the oppressive rulers like Yazid.
Morning appeared and before Sunrise Ali Akber (ALLAH Bless With Him) gave the Azan and all of them completed their morning prayers behind their Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him).
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) made his brother Abbas (ALLAH Bless With Him) as the flag bearer of the tiny army of 70 persons in all when all of a sudden two more soldiers defected from Yazid’s army. One was Hur who was the leader of the contingent who brought the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s party to Karbala and also his son. Both of them arrived with their hands tied to apologise to the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) for what they had done and asked his permission to fight for them and become first martyrs. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not give orders to commence fighting until arrows came from the enemy camp. Then Hur went out to fight. Overwhelmed by the numbers on the other side, he soon died. His son went and he also died. Then one by one each companion of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) went and died until Zohr time when Saeed Ibn Abullah Al-Bijilly came forward and informed the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) that it was prayer time for Zohr. Battle was raging, arrows were coming towards the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s camp, how could they have formed lines for prayers. But they stood in single foil to perform their last prayers while two companions of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) Saeed and Zohair stood in front of this line to hold back all the arrows that were coming towards them. Once the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) finished the last words of the prayers these two soldiers died of exhaustion. The Last of the companions of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) died and only the relatives remained. First to go was Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s son Ali Akber who fought bravely but thirst for three days was the most important factor in the fall of these martyrs. He was also killed and then Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s nephew Qasim went and was killed. Then four of his brothers, Osman, Jafar, Abullah and Abbas were killed. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) then brought his 6 month old son Ali Asgher. He brought him in his arms under the shade of his cloak. He told the audience,
"This baby has not done any harm to you. He is thirsty, give him some water."
The Commander of Yazid’s army ordered Hurmula who was the best marksman to kill the baby. Hurmulah pulled the bow and the arrow killed the baby instantly. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) brought the baby near the camp, informed his mother of the martyrdom of the baby. He then buried the baby in the sand. Afterwards Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) himself went for battle. But before that he introduced himself again that he was the grandson of the Prophet in case anyone had any doubts about him and that his guilt was only to refuse to accept the Oath of allegiance of the Tyrannical ruler Yazid. The enemy was thirsty for the blood of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him), they were blind in their eagerness to kill the last of the family of the Prophet. They fell upon his injured and tired body like blood hounds and soon the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was also killed. The battle ended in one day. Hussein Ibn Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) was martyr on 10th Muharram, 61 AH (10 October 680 CE).
The evening of the 10th was the darkest for the women and children of the family of the Prophet. Camps were set alight and burnt, their possessions were looted. It was Late at night while they were huddled together waiting for further tortures from the enemy side, that they saw the wife of Hur coming towards them with food and water. They were hungry and thirsty but none of them was keen to take anything, not even the youngest of the children. Imam Hussain’s (ALLAH Bless With Him) youngest daughter Sakina (ALLAH Bless With Her) took the tumbler of water and ran towards the open field. Her aunt Zainab (ALLAH Bless With Her) asked where was she running to and she replied, her little brother Ali Asgher (ALLAH Bless With Him) was thirsty, she was taking some water for him, not knowing that little Ali Asgher was already dead, being the victim of Hurmula’s arrow.
Night passed and the morning came with more pain and grief when they saw that the bodies of the enemy were buried but the grandson of the Prophet with all his sons and brothers and companions lie unburied on the desert sand. The Women and children were taken prisoners with the ailing son of Imam, the 22 year old Ali Ibn Al-Husayn Zayn Al-Abidin, leading this battered caravan towards Kufa. The Bodies of these Martyrs were buried on 3rd day by tribesmen of Bani Asad, guided by the Zayn Al-Abidin who was with them miraculously while in prison in Kufa.
Next day 7th Muharram, All water supply was stopped for the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s party and soon the cry of thirst heard from the children in the camp. Whatever water they would have stored was finished within a day and by the 8th there was no water left in the camp. In the scorching heat of the desert even a few hours without water was impossible yet for three days these people were without water. On the afternoon of the 9th, Yazid’s army moved forward in a formation of attack. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was informed and he sent Abbas and Ali Akber to enquire about this. The reply was that orders were from Kufa to commence fighting and finish off with the family of the Prophet. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked them to give them a stay of one night for they all wished to spend their last night in meditation and prayers to God. The night was dark and horrible, flickering lights from the Camp of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was showing few people busy in prayers. The sound of their prayers in unison was coming out of the camp as if Honey bees were busy to build their nest. Whereas on the enemy side music and dancing had gone on all night. Many soldiers from Yazid’s army saw this difference and realised in awe who was on the path of God and who was not. Some soldiers slipped away from Yazid’s camp towards the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s camp knowing fully well that if fighting started the next morning they would surely perish. About 30 such people moved to Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s camp. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) held a meeting of his battered and thirsty companions and told them that the enemy wanted only his life. They have no animosity with any one else. When no one moved Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked that the candles should be put off, in case some of them were ashamed to show themselves running away from the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). The Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) also said that he was taking away the burden of the Oath of allegiance from them and made them free to go. “Take few of my relations with them” But when the candles were lit again, all were there, no one moved. One of the older companions named Muslim Ibn Awsajah came forward and declared that they were all one solid rock to fight for the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him). If they were killed 70 times and then were made alive again they would still prefer to achieve martyrdom with the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) rather than live with the oppressive rulers like Yazid.
Morning appeared and before Sunrise Ali Akber (ALLAH Bless With Him) gave the Azan and all of them completed their morning prayers behind their Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him).
Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) made his brother Abbas (ALLAH Bless With Him) as the flag bearer of the tiny army of 70 persons in all when all of a sudden two more soldiers defected from Yazid’s army. One was Hur who was the leader of the contingent who brought the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s party to Karbala and also his son. Both of them arrived with their hands tied to apologise to the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) for what they had done and asked his permission to fight for them and become first martyrs. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not give orders to commence fighting until arrows came from the enemy camp. Then Hur went out to fight. Overwhelmed by the numbers on the other side, he soon died. His son went and he also died. Then one by one each companion of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) went and died until Zohr time when Saeed Ibn Abullah Al-Bijilly came forward and informed the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) that it was prayer time for Zohr. Battle was raging, arrows were coming towards the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s camp, how could they have formed lines for prayers. But they stood in single foil to perform their last prayers while two companions of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) Saeed and Zohair stood in front of this line to hold back all the arrows that were coming towards them. Once the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) finished the last words of the prayers these two soldiers died of exhaustion. The Last of the companions of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) died and only the relatives remained. First to go was Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s son Ali Akber who fought bravely but thirst for three days was the most important factor in the fall of these martyrs. He was also killed and then Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him)’s nephew Qasim went and was killed. Then four of his brothers, Osman, Jafar, Abullah and Abbas were killed. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) then brought his 6 month old son Ali Asgher. He brought him in his arms under the shade of his cloak. He told the audience,
"This baby has not done any harm to you. He is thirsty, give him some water."
The Commander of Yazid’s army ordered Hurmula who was the best marksman to kill the baby. Hurmulah pulled the bow and the arrow killed the baby instantly. Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) brought the baby near the camp, informed his mother of the martyrdom of the baby. He then buried the baby in the sand. Afterwards Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) himself went for battle. But before that he introduced himself again that he was the grandson of the Prophet in case anyone had any doubts about him and that his guilt was only to refuse to accept the Oath of allegiance of the Tyrannical ruler Yazid. The enemy was thirsty for the blood of the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him), they were blind in their eagerness to kill the last of the family of the Prophet. They fell upon his injured and tired body like blood hounds and soon the Imam (ALLAH Bless With Him) was also killed. The battle ended in one day. Hussein Ibn Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) was martyr on 10th Muharram, 61 AH (10 October 680 CE).
The evening of the 10th was the darkest for the women and children of the family of the Prophet. Camps were set alight and burnt, their possessions were looted. It was Late at night while they were huddled together waiting for further tortures from the enemy side, that they saw the wife of Hur coming towards them with food and water. They were hungry and thirsty but none of them was keen to take anything, not even the youngest of the children. Imam Hussain’s (ALLAH Bless With Him) youngest daughter Sakina (ALLAH Bless With Her) took the tumbler of water and ran towards the open field. Her aunt Zainab (ALLAH Bless With Her) asked where was she running to and she replied, her little brother Ali Asgher (ALLAH Bless With Him) was thirsty, she was taking some water for him, not knowing that little Ali Asgher was already dead, being the victim of Hurmula’s arrow.
Night passed and the morning came with more pain and grief when they saw that the bodies of the enemy were buried but the grandson of the Prophet with all his sons and brothers and companions lie unburied on the desert sand. The Women and children were taken prisoners with the ailing son of Imam, the 22 year old Ali Ibn Al-Husayn Zayn Al-Abidin, leading this battered caravan towards Kufa. The Bodies of these Martyrs were buried on 3rd day by tribesmen of Bani Asad, guided by the Zayn Al-Abidin who was with them miraculously while in prison in Kufa.