In the letter, Ubaidullah made his orders very clear and stated, ‘My orders are clear. If he surrenders himself, he should be sent to me alive. In case he refuses, he should be attacked.
Shed his blood and disfigure his body as he deserves it. After killing, get his body trampled by horses’.
At another place, Ubaidullah wrote, ‘Husain should be murdered and his head be sent to me’.
( Ibn Jareer).
Look at the evil intention of this oppressor whose faith could not give him the consciousness to know that before him was the Day of Judgement, and the one he has made his enemy is none other than the beloved grandson of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.S).
By: Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago
Such is the like of these wicked rulers, who brought nothing but disgrace to the Ummah (nation) of Muhammad (S.A.S).
Numerous efforts were made to avoid a tragic outcome. Negotiations continued between Husain (R.A) and the leaders of the forces around him. A peaceful solution seemed far-fetched, and Husain (R.A) realised that the inevitable was before him. Detecting the dangers that surrounded him in all directions, he pleaded with his family members to go back to their hometown in Makka in safety, and let him face the trial which was before him. He made it clear to them that the enemies wanted him alone, not others.
The family members were extremely grieved by the words of Husain, and in response Abass (R.A) said, ‘Why is it so? Do you want that we should survive after your death. May Allah not keep us alive to see that day.’
Emotions grew high. Anxiety filled the hearts of the followers, and tears were tumbling down their eyes. Husain consoled his family members and reminded them that the life of the Prophet (S.A.S) was an ideal model, and that they needed to have forbearance and perseverance. Total reliance upon Allah and entrusting oneself to His will, was a teaching they could not deviate from.
The night preceding the 10th day of Muharram dawned upon them. In their tents, Husain (R.A) and his companions passed the entire night in offering Salaah, invoking forgiveness from Allah, and weeping and crying to Allah. While this took place, (inside the tents), a group of the enemy’s army got busied in patrolling around the camps, keeping a watchful eye over Husain (R.A).
Then came the 10th of Muharram, it was the blessed day of Friday, and the enemies, thousands in numbers, surrounded Husain (R.A) and his companions from all directions.
Husain (R.A) tried to put up a defence. He only had a small number of 72 men which he posted at different strategic points.
At this time, as a last effort for peace, Husain (R.A) addressed the leaders of the army on several occasions. He reminded them that he came only upon their invitation, and not on his own. If they did not want him, then they should allow him and his companions to return safely.
He also recalled to them that he was none other than the grandson of their Prophet (S.A.S), the son of Ali and Fatima. He further narrated the traditions in which the Prophet (S.A.S) spoke about him and his brother Hasan (R.A)
These powerful words fell on deaf ears. The commanders and the soldiers could not respond.
They were ashamed of themselves to take up arms against the grandson of their Prophet (S.A.S), but being loyal followers of Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, they were bent upon fulfilling the mission they had set out for.
Talks came to an end, and the enemies advanced to Husain (R.A) and his companions. A full-fledge battle then ensued with the chivalrous men from either side challenging and fighting each other. This however, was not fruitful to the enemies, they lost their fighters one after the other. Upon seeing this, the enemies decided to launch a general attack upon Husain and his By: Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago
followers. The fight continued fiercely with casualties on both sides. At times, the fight was halted and then resumed after a while.
The bravery, courage, strength and skills of Husain (R.A) and his followers were unmatched.
Although they suffered a few casualties, the enemies could not penetrate them. The resistance of Husain’s army was very strong. Wherever the enemies struck, they suffered a great loss.
The enemies soon realized that they could not achieve their goals, hence, a re-enforcement of five hundred archers were brought. As soon as the archers arrived, they began to shoot arrows at Husain’s horsemen, crippling the horses and forcing the soldiers to dismount. The fight continued in full swing with the enemies unable to gain the upper hand though they were in thousands, and Husain’s army was only 72. With this situation, when Umar bin Sa’ad saw that he was not able to penetrate Husain’s army, he deputed some of his men to uproot and burn the tents of Husain (R.A) and his companions. Notwithstanding this, Husain and his companions carried on (in the fight), displaying great strength and bravery. However, with a small number of 72 facing the large and well equipped army of Ubaudullah bin Ziyad, casualties on the side of Husain started to increase. The open and severe attack of the enemies brought about the martydom of the pious soldiers, one after the other.
It was a difficult time. The enemies attacked with full force, and all the companions of Husain (R.A), although they battled with the enemies with bravery and enthusiasm, were slain one by one.
Eventually, when all the companions were martyred, the family of the Prophet (S.A.S) (Ahle Bait), came out into the battlefield and attacked the enemies like hungry falcons and ferocious lions.
They came to the forefront, and fighting courageously, sacrificed their lives one by one. The first of then to be killed was the great grandson of the Prophet (S.A.S), Ali the son of Husain.
He came out to the battle field with great courage saying to the opponents, ‘I am Ali the son of Husain. By the lord of the Kaaba, we are more deserving, being nearest to the Holy Prophet (S.A.S). By Allah, the son of the man whose father is unknown cannot rule over us.’
In this manner, he fought heroically, but was killed by the army of Umar bin Sa’ad.