نيلسرملا فرشا ىلع ملاسلا و ةلاصلاو , نيملاعلا بر لله دمحلا ,
دعب و , نيعمجا هباحصا و هلا ىلع و
The gruesome killing of Imam Husain (R.A) on the bloody plains of Karbala was indeed one of the most horrific and tragic events that a Muslim can never forget.
The most beloved grandson who climb up and down on the blessed shoulders of the
Messenger of Allah (S.A.S) as a baby, met this great disaster at the hands of his own people, but gained the honourable position and rank as being the shaheed (martyr) of Karbala.
What possible harm could this great soul cause to anyone to deserve the treatment he got from those who professed to be Muslims. He was not only a companion (sahabi), but was indeed the most beloved grandson of the Prophet (S.A.S). In his body, ran the blood and flesh of the noble Messenger of Allah. He was certainly the great Imam, Husain (R.A), the son of Ali (R.A) and Fatimah (R.A). He was the great soul about whom the Prophet (S.A.S) himself said,
نْيَسُح ْنِم اَنأ َو يِ نِم ٌنْيَسُح
‘Husain is from me and I am from Husain.’ (Trimidhi, Hadith No.3775, Pg.566, Vol.2, Altaf and Sons / Musnad of Ahmad, Hadith No.17572, Pg.177, Vol.6,Darul Fikr)
The Prophet (S.A.S) loved his grandson, Husain very much, and this is why he said Husain is from me and I am from Husain.
By: Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago
It is also recorded by Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban that the Messenger of Allah will say about his grandson Hasan and Husain,
اَمُهَّب ِحَأَف اَمُهُّب ِحُأ يِ نِإ َّمُهَّل ا
‘O Allah! I love them, grant them your love.’ (Tirmidhi, Hadith No.3782, Pg.567, Vol.2, Altaf and Sons / Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No.9766, Pg.455, Vol.3, Darul Fikr / Ibn Hibban, Hadith No.6967, Pg.422, Vol.15, Al Resala Al Alamiah)
The Prophet (S.A.S) also spoke about the greatness of Hasan and Husain and said,
ِةَّنَجلا ِلْهَأ ِباَبَش اَدِ يَس ُنْيَسُحلا َو ُنَسَحلا
‘Hasan and Husain are the leaders of the youths of the people of Paradise.’ (Tirmidhi, Hadith No.3781, Pg.567, Vol.2, Altaf and Sons / Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No.10999, Pg.8, Vol.4, Darul Fikr)
Husain was born from the blessed womb of Fatimah (R.A) about whom the Messenger of Allah (S.A.S) himself said,
ِةَّنَجلا ِلْهَأ ِءاَسِن ُةَدِ يَس َةَمِطاَف
‘Fatimah was the leader of the ladies of Paradise.’ (Tirmidhi, Hadith No.3781, Pg.567, Vol.2, Altaf and Sons)
He was nourished and nurtured in a home that was filled with piety and righteousness. He was trained by none other than the Messenger of Allah (S.A.S) himself. He grew up to be a very handsome youth and was blessed with the power of speech. He was extremely versed in the knowledge of Islam, and like his father, was generous and righteous.
He had a noble rank among the companions and had a close resemblance to the Messenger of Allah (S.A.S)
The beloved grandson of the Prophet (S.A.S), Husain (R.A) was a devout worshipper, filled with piety, and remained detached from worldly matters. He was frequently engaged in performance of Salaah, fasted a lot and extremely charitable to the poor and needy. It is narrated that he performed Hajj on foot 25 times.
He was indeed one who truly possessed the characteristics of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.S).
He was very beloved to the Prophet (S.A.S) and occupied a very high status in the sight of Allah.
However, notwithstanding these great merits and virtues, Husain (R.A) had to go through severe trials and tribulations. He came up against fierce opposition and persecution, and had to face the anger and wrath of the wicked and cruel rulers. In all these situations, he stood firm like a mountain in the ground, and gave his life to defend and propagate the truth which he learnt directly from his beloved grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.S).
By: Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago
Cruelty and oppression, persecution and torture, and threats of being murdered could not stop him from holding firm to the truth, and so, on the blessed day of the 10th Muharram, he laid down his life on the bloody plains of Karbala (Iraq), as a dignified supporter of the truth.
This was the unparalleled sacrifice of Husain (R.A) which was foretold by the Prophet (S.A.S) while Husain was still a baby.
According to a narration recorded by Adh Dhahabi, it is narrated that Anas (R.A) said, ‘The Angel of rain Mika’el (A.S) once sought permission from the Prophet (S.A.S) to be with him alone. The Prophet (S.A.S) then said, ‘O Umm Salmah, keep the door close on us.’ At that time, Husain (who was a baby) came through the door and started to jump on the Prophet (S.A.S), and the Messenger of Allah (S.A.S) was kissing him. The angel said (to the Prophet),
‘Do you love him?’ The Messenger of Allah (S.A.S) said, ‘Yes.’ The Angel then said, ‘Your nation will kill him, and if you want, I will show you the spot where he will be killed. Upon this, the Prophet (S.A.S) said, ‘Yes.’ The Angel then brought some red soil. Thabit (The narrator from Anas [R.A]) said, ‘We used to say that it is Karbala.’ (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No.13539, Pg.482, Vol.4, Darul Fikr)
Thus, what happened at Karbala, was a matter which was already decreed by Allah, and the beloved grandson of the Prophet (S.A.S) was required to offer his life to Allah in defence of the truth.
The eventual martyrdom of Husain (R.A) came about after Husain was invited by the Muslims of Koofa to leave his city of Hijaz and travel to Koofa so that they would pledge allegiance to him, and he will become their leader.
During the rule of Ali (R.A), he declared Koofa as the capital of the Caliphate. On account of this, many of the supporters of the family of the Prophet (S.A.S) settled there. When Muawiyah (R.A) died, his son Yazid declared himself as the Khalifa, but many Muslims in different territories, were opposed to this and were unwilling to pledge allegiance to Yazid.
Koofa was not exception to this, and in order to choose the right leader, they wrote many letters to Husain who (at that time was living in Hijaz) to come to Koofa so that they would swear allegiance to him to be their leader. Based upon the repeated request from many Muslims in Koofa, Husain (R.A) decided to accept the invitation, and thus, prepared for his journey to Koofa. Hearing this news, some of the Sahabahs who were alive at that time and other great Tabieen Muslims pleaded to Husain (R.A), and encouraged him to desist from undertaking this journey to Koofa. They reminded him of the proverbial infidelity and fickle mindedness of the people of Koofa. They explained to him how they betrayed their leaders in the past and did not keep their promises. The great companion, Abdullah bin Abass (R.A) spoke to him and said, ‘My dear cousin, I can’t remain a silent spectator of your doom, the people of Koofa are hypocrites and cheaters, never trust them. It’s better you stay here in Hijaz, no one excels you in this land. Another cousin of Husain, Abdullah bin Jafar wrote to him from Madina, saying, ‘I beseech you in the name of Allah to desist from the
implementation of your plan, for it entails your death and destruction for your family and companions. Your death will extinguish the light of the land. At present, you are the beacon light of faith and the centre of the believers, hopes. Don’t make haste in undertaking the journey.’ (Ibn Jareer)
Notwithstanding the pleas made to him by family members, friends and notable Muslim leaders, Husain made the firm intention to undertake his journey to Koofa (Iraq), as planned.
By: Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago
While leaving Makka for Iraq along with the members of his family, including all men, women, and children, the beloved grandson of the Prophet (S.A.S) made it clear to the people and said, ‘The matter now rest with Allah. His will be done. His commandments are issued every moment. If His will is favourable to us, we will praise Him and if His will is contrary to our expectations, we will earn the reward of our patience and resignation.’ (Ibn Jareer) With this firmness of mind and heart, Husain (R.A) set out on his journey, not being deterred by anyone. However, it was not long after that, he heard that his emissary Muslim bin Aqil (A.R) was publicly executed by Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, the governor of Koofa.
This brought great sorrow and grief to Husain (R.A) and his family members, but it did not deter the beloved grandson of the Prophet (S.A.S) from his mission. Instead, he proceeded on his journey to Koofa, but having advanced to a little distance beyond Qaadisiya, he was confronted and stopped by Hur bin Yazeed who was sent by Ubaidullah bin Ziyad with an army of 1000 men to keep a close watch on Husain and his family until he was brought to him.
At this time, Hur bin Yazeed started to put a tremendous amount of pressure on Husain and stopped him from moving onwards on his journey. He blocked him from returning to Makkah, Madina and Koofa. He was bent on taking him to the cruel ruler and oppressor Ubaidullah bin Ziyad. Husain (R.A) however, was not willing to meet Ubaidullah, and made it very clear to Hur bin Yazeed that his appearance before Ubaidullah bin Ziyaad was not possible before his death.
Husain (R.A) tried his best to explain to Hur bin Yazeed of the purpose of his journey to Koofa and that the Muslims had invited him to Koofah. He even showed him two bags filled with letters written by the people of Koofa. But Hur was not ready to accept any statement from Husain. Instead, he was bent upon his evil intention of taking him before the oppressor Ubaudullah bin Ziyaad. The situation grew intense, and Husain (R.A) saw that danger lay in wait. He delivered a sermon to his people and said, ‘You witness the existing state of affairs.
The world has changed its colours. It is completely devoid of virtue. Only the sediment is left. Don’t you see that truth has been relegated to background. Falsehood is deliberately being acted upon. There is none who could prevent the wrongdoing. It is high time a believer should try to defend the truth for the sake of Allah. I wish to die a martyr’s death. It is an offence in itself, to live with oppressors.’
As days passed by, Husain remained surrounded by Hur bin Yazeed was followed wherever he went.
Husain had sent another envoy to Koofa by the name of Qais bin Mashar, but he was also killed by Ubaidullah bin Ziyaad.
When Husain sort the allowance to enter Koofa, he was stopped by Ubaidullah who had given the following order to Hur bin Yazeed, ‘Do not allow Husain to stay at any place. He should not be permitted to get down any where except in and open space. See that he does not take refuge in a fort or a fertile piece of land.’
With no place to go, Husain and the few members of his family eventually settled and camped at an open place known as ‘Karbala’ which was situated at a long distance from the river Euphrates with a hill between the two.
By: Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago
Ubaidullah bin Ziyaad then sent another 4000 soldiers to surround Husain (R.A) and his family members, and restrict their movements and activities. Along with this, he issued another order to the commander of his army saying, ‘See that water is not supplied to Husain and his companions. They should not have even a drop of water just as Uthman bin Affan was deprived of it.’
This was the inhumane nature of Ubaidullah bin Ziyad. His enmity towards Husain (R.A) knew no bounds, and water which is Allah’s free gift to man was stopped from him, when every single creature of Allah had open access to it. As the moments passed by and Husain sensed danger from all directions, he started to hold talks with the commander of the Army, Umar bin Sa’ad, in the hope that war does not prevail, and innocent lives are not lost. Umar bin Sa’ad was inclined towards the proposal of Husain by either allowing him to go back to his home town, to allow Yazeed to decide his case or to go to another place. In this regard, he wrote a letter to Ubaidullah, the governor of Koofa for his decision. Ubaidullah was pleased with the proposal put forward, and saw that it was a great effort on Umar bin Sa’ad’s part to work for peace. However, Shimr bin Zul Jaushan intervened and opposed the entire peaceful negotiation, and opted to either force Husain to swear allegiance to Ubaidullah bin Ziyad or be prepared for war.
Ubaidullah bin Ziyad was a cruel, wicked and an evil minded person. He was made the governor of Koofah by Yazeed and saw himself fit for the position. The people of Koofah however, disliked him, and saw that he was unfit to be a leader. They knew that he was an unjust, wicked and a cruel man. It was for this reason, they repeatedly begged Husain (R.A) to come to Koofa, so that they could swear allegiance to him and make him their leader. This however, did not go well with Ubaidullah bin Ziyad who vehemently opposed this action (of the people of Koofa). He was bent upon using every force and every measure to stop Husain from fulfilling his mission, and was ready to put an end to his life. Shimr who interrupted the peace negotiation, then wrote to Ubaidullah bin Ziyad saying.
‘Husain is now in our grip, if he escapes without taking the oath of allegiance, he might gain respect and power and you may be rendered weak and helpless. It is advisable that he is kept under watch until he surrenders himself.’
The letter containing the above was received by Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, and although he was a inclined to the former proposals made by Husain, he was pleased with the opinion of Shimr.
He thus, wrote to Shimr giving the orders that if Husain surrendered himself with his companions, then there should be no war and Husain should be sent to him. If he does not surrender, then war must be waged against him.