On some of the virtues of Imam Husain (a.s)

The virtues of our Master Imam Husain (a.s) are quite apparent and the tower of his honour and eminence is luminous and indisputable. In all matters he holds an exalted status and honourable rank. There is none among the Shi'ah and others who have not praised his grace, excellence and superiority. The intelligent among them have recognized the truth, while the ignorant are furbishing them. And why would not this be, for his es‌teemed self is surrounded from all sides by nobility, and the great ap‌pearence has taken hold of him all over, while beauty has sunk deep into him from all directions and this cannot be denied by any Muslim. His Grand‌father is Mohammad al Mustafa (the chosen one) (s.a.w.s), his Father Imam Ali al Murtaza (the approved one) (a.s), Grandmother Hazrat Khadija (a.s), Mother Hazrat Fatemah az Zahra (the splendid one) (a.s), brother Imam Hasan (a.s) the honourable, his uncle Ja'far at Tayyar, and his Progeny pure Imams from the chosen ones among the family of Hashim. It is said in one of the couplets: "Your splendor is evident for everyone, except the blind who cannot see the moon."

In Ziyarate Nahiyah our Master Imam al Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) praises his excel‌lent personality in the following words:

"And you fulfilled your duties and responsibilities with utmost readiness.

Renowned for your charity, you performed the mid-night Prayer in darkness.

Your path was firm, (you were) benevolent among the creatures, greatest among the precedents, noble with regard to the lineage and eminent with regard to ancestry, and you had an exalted position and several (other) excellences.

You were of a commendable character, amply generous.

You were forebearing, sober, penitent, benevolent, knowledgeable, rigorous.

A martyred Imam, penitent, beloved (by the believers), dreadful (for

the disbelievers).

You are the son of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s) and the deliverer of the Holy Qur'an.

And the arms of the nation (ummah).

And the one who endeavored in the way of (Allah's) obedience.

Protector of the oath and covenant.

You hated the path of the transgressors.

A Bestower upon those in trouble.

One who prolonged the Bowing and Prostration.

(You remained) Abstinent from the world,

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

The he continues to say:

"I wonder at myself that I am about to glorify the one whose praise has exhausted the paper. The water of the seas is insufficient to fill the book of your excellence, so that I may dip my finger in it to turn the pages thereof (to read it)."

His Valor

The reporters and reliable authorities specify that when Imam Husain (a.s) intended to go to Iraq, Ubaydullah bin Ziyad despatched troops one after the other towards him and also gathered the Police force to kill him. He prepared an army of thirty thousand soldiers (foot and horse-men) to follow him in groups one after the other and to surround him fully equipped from all sides. They gave him the following notice: "Either submit to the orders of the son of Ziyad and swear the oath of allegiance to Yazeed, or be ready for combat, which would split open the liver and cut the life vein, despatch the souls above, and would throw the bodies head-long unto the ground." But the Imam, following the footsteps of his respected Grandfather and Father, refused to surrender to indignity. He set an example of self-respect and honour for the people, and accepted (noble) death below the sword. Then he himself, alongwith his brother and family members arose to defend (Islam) and accepted death instead of submitting to the tyranny of Yazeed. The wicked and vile army desisted them and the immoral infidels started shooting arrows at him. But Imam Husain (a.s) stood firm like a mountain and nothing could weaken his determination. His feet were more resolute upon the earth of Martyrdom than a mountain, while his heart was not disturbed because of the fear of battle or death. Similarly his supporters likewise faced the forces of Ubaydullah ibne Ziyad and killed and wounded many of them. And they themselves did not die until they had killed many of them, and made them taste death by the ardor of the Hashimites. And none among the Hashimites

fell a martyr until they had thrown their opponents unto the ground and killed them and sunk the hilts of their swords into their bod‌ies. Imam Husain (a.s) himself attacked the enemies like a ferocious lion and with his mighty sword threw them upon the ground. The narrator quotes a man as saying that, "By Allah! I have seen none like him, who having lost his sons, relatives and dear friends, and inspite of this, his heart being powerful and serene, and feet firm upon the ground. By Allah! I have seen none like him before or after him"

It has been related that there arose a dispute for a farm between Imam Husain (a.s) and Waleed bin Uqba. And although Waleed was the governor of Madina (but was on the wrong), Imam was infuriated and removed his turban from his head and put it in his neck.

In the book Ehtijaj it is related from Mohammad bin Saeb, that one day Marwan bin Hakam told Imam Husain (a.s) that, "If it were not for your esteem and honour through Hazrat Fatemah (a.s), how could you have gained excellence over us"? Imam Husain (a.s) was infuriated and caught hold of his neck with an iron fist, then he removed the turban from his head and tied it in marwan's neck, and he fell down unconscious, then he left him.

The author says that Imam Husain's valor became a by-word while his for‌bearance in the battlefield had exhausted and frustrated others. His combat is similar to that of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) in the battle of Badr. While his forebearence, even after facing numerous enemies and possessing support‌ers less in quantity, is similar to his Father Imam Ali (a.s) in the battle of Siffeen and Jamal.

Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) in Ziyarate Nahiyah says:

"And (they) initiated the attack upon you.

So you too stood up (equipped with) spear and sword.

And you routed the army of transgressors.

And you were surrounded in the dust of the battle and (were) fighting with Zulfiqar with such ferocity as if you were Ali, the empowered one.

So when the enemies saw you to be composed and calm without fear or anxie‌ty, they began to plot and lay traps for you, and began to fight with you with cunningness and mischief.

And the accursed (Umar bin Sa'ad) ordered his army to cut off the water supply (from you).

And all of them unleashed their atrocities to kill you and they hastened to line up against you.

They struck at you with arrows and (they) extended their futile hands to‌wards you.

They did not consider your rights, nor did they deem their putting to swords

your friends as a sin, (and) they looted your belongings.

You bore the tribulations (of the battle) with firmness and forbore their troubles, such that the Angels of the Heavens were astounded at your pa‌tience.

Then the enemies surrounded you from all sides and inflicted you with wounds.

And they partitioned themselves between you and your family, there remained no helper for you.

You deflected them with persistence and patience away from your women and children.

Until they forced you down from your horseback, and you descended to the earth, wounded.

The horses were trampling you with their hooves.

The atrocious army fell upon you with their swords.

The perspiration of death appeared on your forehead and your hands and feet folded and unfolded to the right and the left (with uneasiness).

You were beholding with fear your belongings and your Household.

When in such a situation you might not have thought of your children and family due to personal pain."