Today, in the twenty-sixth episode of our daily series, we continue to focus on the events of the fateful Day of Ashura, that is, the 10th of Moharram in the year 61 AH in Karbala, where the world’s most heart-rending tragedy occurred. This is the fifth of at least six episodes we have devoted to covering the most important events of the Day of Ashura. Today, we describe the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS), and its equally tragic aftermath.
In the din of battle, despite the innumerable wounds on his body and enemy forces all around him, as prayer time approached, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), alighted from his horse, and facing the qibla or the direction of the daily ritual prayers to towards the holy Ka’ba in Mecca, started to pray. The bloodthirsty Omayyad hordes, in spite of their claim to be Muslims, burst upon their Prophet’s grandson, striking him with spears, arrows, stones and swords.
As Imam Husain (AS) fell down in prostration to God Almighty, the brute Shimr flung himself upon the Imam with his dagger drawn, and started to cut his neck while he was still alive. Imam Husain (AS) continued with his prayers, and in this very state he achieved immortal martyrdom, as the wretch heartlessly severed the sacred head of the Prophet’s grandson. At this bloodcurdling sight the heavens roared, the earth shook, the sky seemed darkened on a bright afternoon, strong winds blew, the sands of Karbala swirled in the air, and the waters of the Euphrates rose in tides to lash the river banks. The angels seemed to cry: “qad qotel al-Husain fi Karbala”. Imam Husain (AS) has been slain in Karbala.
After Imam Husain (AS) was martyred, the Omayyad army attacked the encampment and set fire to it, as the bereaved women and children huddled together in grief. When the attack started, the Imam’s noble sister, Hazrat Zainab (peace upon her) went to the tent of her sick and bedridden nephew, Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS). She said: “O Son and Successor of my Brother and the Hope and Protector of the survivors! You are now the Imam of the Age. They are setting fire to the tents. What should we do? Stay and get burnt or leave the encampment. The 23-year old Imam said: It is obligatory to leave the camp in order to save the life. The frightened womenfolk and children of the Prophet’s Household scampered outside in panic, and everyone was crying. Hazrat Zainab (peace upon her) remained beside her ailing nephew, making him stand to his feet and with great difficulty leave the burning encampment while leaning on a staff.
Historians have quoted an Omayyad soldier as saying: “I saw a tall woman standing outside a tent which was about to be set ablaze, and all around it flames were raging. She was clearly extremely upset, and raised her hands in desperation toward the heavens, after looking to the left and right. She then entered the tent, and seconds later, she came out, looking in all directions and then skywards. I quickly moved towards her and said: O lady! Do you not see the flames and fires all around you? Why don’t you flee like the other women in this camp? She replied: I can’t move from here. There is a seriously ill person inside this tent. He is unable to stand up or get out of bed. How can I leave him in such a situation, when the flames are closing in from all sides?
Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) himself recollects this extremely painful and tearful scene, when he said: By God, every time I remember my aunts and sisters, I feel a lump in throat, and I can’t help but cry. When I remember the women and children, running from one tent to the other, as enemy soldiers were shouting: “Set fire to the tents.”
source : irib
