Who is Mohsin b. Ali (A.S)
Mohsin b. Ali (A.S) is the third son of Ali (A.S) and Fatimah (S.A) after Hasan (A.S) and Husain (A.S). He is also referred to as Mushabar which is also the name of Haroon b. Imran’s (A.S) third son. He was no more than six months old at the time of the attack. (Al-Hidaayat al-Kubra, pg. 407, Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 53 pg. 19).
Mohsin b. Ali (A.S) was the least involved in the business of politics and machinations which the attack on Fatimah’s (S.A) was all about. He was not concerned with anything that transpired on that day and no one who had any grouse with Ali (A.S) and Fatimah (S.A) had an argument against Mohsin b. Ali (A.S). Even those who debate about the infallibility of Ali (A.S) and Fatimah (S.A) fall silent when the infallibility of an unborn child is raised because they have no answer.
Therefore, although the entire attack on Fatimah’s (S.A) house was illegitimate, the attack on Mohsin b. Ali (A.S) in many ways was the most illegitimate part of the attack.
Just like this vicious attack laid the foundation of another murderous attack 50 years later in Karbala, it is perhaps Mohsin b. Ali’s (A.S) martyrdom to safeguard the infallibility of his parents (A.S), that inspired his nephew Ali b. Husain (al-Asghar) to wage a battle against the enemies in Karbala to safeguard the infallibility of his father Husain b. Ali (A.S). Husain b. Ali (A.S), of course, is unique among the oppressed ones as he is the only one present on the scenes of both the attacks – one on his parents and brother and the second on his children, nephews and another brother.
It is perhaps the potency of Mohsin b. Ali’s (A.S) martyrdom that has led some Muslims to deny his death in the attack, attributing it to other causes. This is clearly a campaign based on misinformation or lack of information that is similar to the campaign to deny the attack on Fatimah’s (S.A) house altogether. The attack on Fatimah’s (S.A) house has no justification whatsoever and therefore the only way out is to deny it altogether.
Of course, the biggest blow to the deniers is the martyrdom of Fatimah (S.A) and Mohsin b. Ali (A.S) in the aftermath of the attack. It is widely documented that both (A.S) were martyred as a result of the attack; Mohsin b. Ali (A.S) instantly and Fatimah (S.A) a few days later.
Documentary evidence of Mohsin b. Ali’s (A.S) Martyrdom
A) Mohsin b. Ali’s (A.S) Martyrdom in the Holy Quran
Since the first place to look for evidence of a belief or concept is in the Quran, we must turn to this divine book for evidence of Mohsin b. Ali’s (A.S) martyrdom. And evidence of this event appears in the 8th and 9th verses of Surah Taqweer (81):
‘And when the female infant buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed’
Mufazzal b. Umar, the respected companion and special deputy of Imam Sadiq asked Imam (A.S) – What is your opinion about these verses?
Imam (A.S) informed: O Mufazzal, by Allah, ‘Maudato’ (i.e. infant) in this verse means Mohsin and surely he is from us and not others. Those who claim otherwise are lying.
Then Imam (A.S) elaborated (on the events on the Day of Resurrection) – Fatimah, the daughter of the Allah’s Messenger will supplicate – O Allah fulfill Your Promise and Your Pledge with me with regards to those who oppressed me, usurped my rights, struck me and distressed me with regards to all my children.
On hearing this, all the angels inhabiting the seven heavens, the carriers of the Throne and all those residing in space and the inhabitants of the earth and under the layers of the earth will lament and wail in front of Allah. Then none will remain from those who oppressed us and killed us and those who were pleased at our oppression except that he will be killed.
(Behaar al-Anwaar vol. 53 pg. 23-24)
Allamah Majlisi in the footnote of the aforementioned tradition writes: The author estimates that the thousand killings will be more severe than the Fire of Jaheem. We seek refuge in Allah from it.
B) Mohsin b. Ali’s (A.S) Martyrdom in Supplications
Apart from the Holy Quran, supplications of infallibles (A.S) are reliable sources of beliefs and concepts. The martyrdom of Mohsin b. Ali (A.S) finds mention even in supplications. In the renowned Supplication of Sanamay-e-Quraish we implore Allah to curse the oppressors (of Ahle Bait a.s.) for every foetus that they have destroyed.
(Misbaah al-Kaf’ami pg. 731 by Shaykh Taqi Al-Deen Ibraheem al-Kaf’ami)
Over here, the reference to the oppressors who attacked Fatimah’s (S.A) house resulting in Mohsin b. Ali’s (A.S) martyrdom is obvious.
C) Mohsin b. Ali’s (A.S) Martyrdom from Sunnah and History
Allamah Muhammad Baqer Majlisi records in Behaar al-Anwaar vol. 43 pg. 171 on the authority of Abu Baseer who relates from Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S), ‘Fatimah’s (S.A) death resulted from being pierced by the sword which claimed (the unborn) Mohsin’s life. The perpetrator of this crime was Qunfuz, who was acting on his master – Umar’s explicit command…’
Ibn Shahr Aashob al-Sarvi al-Mazandarani in vol. 3 pg. 132 records from Al-Maarif of Ibne Qutaybah al-Dinawari (Ahle Sunnah scholar) – The following were Fatimah’s children – Hasan, Husain, Zainab, Umme Kulsum and Mohsin b. Ali who was killed by Qunfuz Adawi (i.e. from Bani Adi, the same tribe as Umar b. Khattaab).
Masoodi in Isbaat al-Wilaayah pg. 142 records – They attacked Fatimah’s (S.A) house. They crushed the Chief of All Women behind the door so violently that it resulted in the miscarriage of Mohsin.
Muhammad al-Shahrastaani records in Al-Milal wa al-Nehal vol. 1 pg. 57 (Beirut Edition) – Umar struck Fatimah violently in the abdomen (on the Day of Allegiance) so much so that she fell on her abdomen (resulting in the infant’s death).
Abu Abdillah Shams al-Deen al-Zahabi records in Mizaan al-Etedaal vol. 1 pg. 139 – Undoubtedly Umar kicked Fatimah so much so that it lead to Mohsin’s miscarriage.
Allamah Khalil b. Aybak al-Safadi in Al-Waafi be al-Wafiyyaat vol. 6 pg. 17 records – The Motazelah sect is of the view that on the Day of Allegiance Umar undoubtedly struck Fatimah so much so that Mohsin was killed.
Sadr al-Deen Ibraheem Ibn Sa’d al-Deen Muhmmad al-Hammuee in Al-Faraaed al-Simtain vol. 2 pg. 35 records on the authority of Ibne Abbas who heard the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) prophesy – ‘…it is as if I see grief and anxiety entering my daughter’s house, her respect being violated, her rights being usurped, her inheritance being denied to her, her unborn being miscarried and (in this moment of distress) she is calling out – O Muhammad, but no one replies to her pleas.’
Permissibility of Killing the One Who Oppressed Fatimah (A.S)
Ibne Abil al-Hadeed Motazali in Sharhe Nahjul Balagha vol. 4 pg. 192 (Beirut Edition) has documented the following incident:
Some apostates belonging to a group led by Habbareen b. Aswad were making elaborate plans to trouble Zainab the daughter of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Zainab was on camel-back heading towards Medina from Mecca. The apostates were giving her chase. The first to catch up with her was Habbareen b. Aswad. He threateningly pointed his spear towards Zainab’s saddle (so as to scare her and the camel). This terrified Zainab so much so that she suffered a miscarriage as a result. Due to this the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) ordered Habbareen b. Aswad to be killed on sight.
After narrating this incident, Ibne Abil Hadeed writes – I have recorded this incident from Naqeeb Abi Jafar.
Naqeeb said – It is clear that Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) considered Habbareen b. Aswad a criminal deserving death due to his terrifying Zainab leading to her miscarriage. Without doubt if the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H&H.P) had been alive at the time of Fatimah, he would likewise have considered permissible shedding the blood of the one who terrorized his daughter leading to her miscarriage.
Ibne Abil Hadeed relates – I asked Naqeeb – Should I report the incident of Fatimah being terrorized by a group of people leading to her miscarriage on your authority?
Naqeeb replied – Do not report this incident on my authority. Also do not report its rejection on my authority. I do not wish to give my view and belief on this subject.
A simple analysis of Naqeeb’s statement tells us that Fatimah’s (S.A) miscarriage was evident for him. If that was not the case and he did not believe in the miscarriage, he would have outright denied it and would have gone on record saying that he did not believe in the incident. However, he did believe in the miscarriage, it was only because of his prejudice and predisposition that he refused to go on record and in this way tried to show that he was not certain about the incident.
It is worth stating over here Shaikh al-Hurr al-Aameli’s comment in Isbaat al-Hudaat vol. 2 pg. 360 after recording Naqeeb’s confession – It is not concealed from us that witness of something having occurred is closer to acceptance than witness of something not have occurred. The witness of something not having occurred is not acceptable except in the rarity that the witness who refutes the event is doubtful about it. (This is clearly not the case with Naqeeb who confesses that the incident did in fact occur only he did not wish to go on record with the same.)
Killers of Mohsin Ibn Ali (A.S) will be the first ones to be punished
Killers of Mohsin Ibn Ali (A.S) will find a most painful chastisement awaiting them on the Day of Resurrection. Allah the Almighty will take them to task before all other tyrants and oppressors.
It is related that on the Day of Resurrection, the first person who will be rendered justice and called for judgment will be Mohsin Ibn Ali (A.S). His murderer along with Qunfuz will be brought and flogged with whips of fire – a single strike of which is enough to dry up all the oceans of the earth and likewise a single strike on the mountains is enough to crush them into ashes. The murderers of Mohsin Ibn Ali (A.S) will be struck with this whip.
[Behaar al-Anwaar vol. 28 p. 64]
Conclusion
An unbiased view of the various references from Quran, Sunnah and history recorded by scholars and historians across eras and sects (viz. Ahle Sunnah and Shia) should make it obvious to those seeking the truth that Mohsin b. Ali (A.S) was martyred by the mob which attacked Fatimah’s (S.A) house only a few days after the Prophet’s (P.B.U.H&H.P) demise
