|
Imam Husain (a.s) went back to his camp and bade farewell to his family members who gathered around him in a circle. He advised them to bear the calamity patiently. He then went to his ailing son and heir Zainul Aabidin (a.s.) who was lying unconscious. The sweat from Imam Husain’s brow fell upon Imam Zainul Aabidin who opened his eyes then. Seeing his heavily injured father, Zainul Aabidin (a.s.) asked as to what happened to all the relatives and companions, particularly Abbas and Ali al-Akbar. Imam Husain (a.s.) told him that they were all martyred and that he alone remained alive. He told Zainul Aabidin (a.s.) that then he would not return from the battlefield. Imam Husain (a.s.) advised Zainul Aabidin (a.s.) to bear the calamity with patience. He then said, “My son, when you go back to Medina, convey my greetings to our Shias (followers) and tell them that I remembered them very much when I was carrying the dead body of Ali al-Asghar. Ask my Shias to remember me whenever they drink water and whenever they see any person suffering away from his home.” Imam Husain then bade farewell to all members of his family and those who were present in his camp. He bid adieu to each of the women and to Fidhdha, his mother’s retainer. As Imam Husain (a.s.) came out of his tent, his daughter Sukayna (a.s) caught hold of him and on being told that he was going to the battlefield, she cried out, “My uncle Abbas went promising to bring water, but he never returned. My brother Ali al-Akbar went, but he did not come back. My cousins went but they too did not return. If you also do not return, what will happen to me?” To satisfy the child, he lay down on the ground and Sukayna (a.s) clambered on and lay on his chest, as she did everyday before going to sleep. She dozed off for a while, but suddenly got up startled and said, “I will not detain you because I saw that your mother, father, and grandfather were all waiting for you and asked me not to detain you any longer.” Imam Husain (a.s) who appeared old and feeble after the martyrdom of his son Ali al-Akbar (a.s), now appeared to be invigorated with the desire to meet his Creator. Abdullah ibn Imad, who was present in the battlefield, narrates, “I have not seen anyone whose companions, kith and kin were slain before his eye, fighting the enemy with so much zeal, vigour and determination.”[1] [1] Life of Imam Husain, p. 229.
|
|
Imam Husain (a.s) fought valiantly, scattered the soldiers and went to the Euphrates. He spoke to his horse asking him to drink water, but the faithful steed turned his head and refused to even lower his head. Imam Husain (a.s) took the water in his hands to show that the river was now in his control. He said, “When my brother Abbas, my son Ali al-Akbar and the infant Ali al-Asghar and my companions have all died thirsty, of what use is this water to me?” So saying, Imam Husain (a.s.) threw down the water back into the river. Meanwhile, the enemy had reassembled their ranks. Umar ibn Sa’d ordered a general assault. Imam Husain (a.s) met the onslaught, defeated, and scattered his opponents. He called out the names of Abbas (s), Ali al-Akbar, Habib ibn Mudhahir, Muslim ibn Owsaja, Zohair, Habib, Sa’eed and other companions, and asked them to witness his valour. He then stood leaning on his sword and in a final attempt to bring the enemy to reason, and eliminate the possibility of any claim as to a mistake arising out of ignorance, regarding identity, he addressed the enemy saying, “Tell me, by God, Do you not know who I am?” The soldiers replied, “We know that you are the progeny and grandson of the messenger of Allah.” Imam Husain (s) said, “Do you know that I am the son of Fatima, daughter of the messenger of Allah?” They replied, “Yes, it is true.” Imam Husain (s) said, “By God, you also know that Ali ibn Abu Talib is my father.” They replied, “Yes, we know.” Imam Husain (s) said, “Do you know that my grandmother Khadija was the first to embrace Islam?” They replied, “Yes, it is so.” He then reminded them that it was his own uncle Ja’far and his father’s uncle Hamza, who was killed and his raw liver was eaten by Hind mother of Mu’awiya, were among the first martyrs who gave their lives for the cause of Islam. He showed them the turban he was wearing and the sword he held and asked, “Do you know to whom these belonged?” The enemy replied, “These are inherited by you from your grandfather, the messenger of Allah.” Imam Husain (a.s) then reminded the enemy saying, “Was not my father the first to accept Islam, entrusted as the Holy Prophet’s trustee, given the standard by the Prophet (s) who declared him as his vicegerent, successor and deputy? Did not the Prophet (s) |
|
inform you that at the Pond of al-Kawthar in the Paradise, Ali will quench the thirst of the faithful?” The enemy admitted the truth of every word uttered by Imam Husain (s). Umar ibn Sa’d replied, “All this is nothing new. Everybody knows these facts. We are professional soldiers and have come to fight you and not to listen to your rhetoric. We will not rest until we slit your parched throat.” [1] Imam Husain (s) then said, “Tell me if I have made innovations in Islam. Have I altered the Book? Have I transgressed any tenet of Islam? Have I failed to observe my religious obligations even once in my life? Have I killed anyone? Have I deprived anyone of his property? Have you found anything I ever said to be false? Did I ever hurt you? Did I ever aspire for any wealth or power?” In one voice, the enemy soldiers declared that Imam Husain (s) had never done any such thing. Imam Husain (a.s) then asked, “If you know all this, then tell me why you want to slay me?” Some of the soldiers shouted out, “It is in revenge for your father Ali. Our only desire is to slay you and avenge our ancestors who were killed by your father Ali in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Hunain and al-Khandaq.”[2] Umar ibn Sa’d realized that the real truth behind waging war had been inadvertently revealed. Before Imam Husain (a.s) could say anything, the cunning Umar ibn Sa’d ordered his soldiers to attack the women and children in Imam Husain’s camp. This sudden turn of events greatly pained Imam Husain (a.s). He said, “O supporters of the Umayyads, how mean it is on your part to think of attacking defenseless women. Even an atheist will not think of doing it, if only out of his civic sense. You are worse than heathens and atheists. I am still alive. Engage in combat with me and leave the women and children alone.” Imam Husain (a.s) quickly intercepted and killed the soldiers marching towards his camp. He fell upon the enemy with renewed vigour and he dispersed them far and wide. [1] Balaghatul Husain, P. 113-115.
[2] Note, all these battles were fought by Imam Ali [s] to defend and preserve Islam, under the Prophet [s].Though Yazid’s forces, in seeking to kill Imam Husain [s], claimed that they were taking vengeance against Imam Ali [s], it was in fact vengeance against the Prophet [s] and Islam. |
|
Imam Husain (a.s) called out at Umar ibn Sa’d to come before him. The wretch came out and stood under the shade of the umbrella held by his servant. At that time, there was much commotion and a lot of noise. Imam Husain (a.s) said, “I like to have a last word with you and your army.” Hardly could his words be heard above the din and noise. Imam Husain (a.s) asked Umar ibn Sa’d to order silence so that all the attendants might listen carefully. Umar ibn Sa’d replied, “It is impossible. I may ask my men to keep quite, but how can I prevent the neighing of horses or the clanging of weapons.” Imam Husain (s) said, “You have expressed your inability. Now, I will do it myself to see that silence reigns so that every one present here may clearly hear every word I utter.” Imam Husain (s) cast an intense glance all around him. The whole atmosphere became quiet, neighing of horses and clanging of armor stopped. Even the very wind became still and silence prevailed over the entire battlefield. Thus, when Imam Husain (a.s), by his spiritual power, commanded complete silence and got the attention of everyone, he said in a loud and clear voice: “O son of Sa’d, listen carefully and pay heed to my words so that you may even now redeem yourself. I have been saying this from the first day, and today I repeat it so that none may complain that he does not know. I once again repeat that even now I give you the same three options. I say, the first option is for you to remove the blockade around me and let me go from here and return to Mecca or Medina.” Umar ibn Sa’d replied, “Do you think that we have surrounded and dragged you here to let you go? We are not such fools. Our leader Yazid has ordered your death and has not permitted us to let you go from here.” Imam Husain (a.s) then said, “Your second option is that since you intend to confine me here and to fight, let me have some water to quench my thirst before fighting. Under your orders, I was deprived of water for the past three days and this desert sun is scorching. ” Umar ibn Sa’d replied, “We have strict orders from our emir Ibn Ziyad not to allow even a drop of water to pass through your parched throat until we slit it open.” This reply of ibn Sa’d created a stir in his army. Imam Husain (a.s) said, “O son of Sa’d, since you are neither willing to let me go nor to give me even a drop of water, your third option is that, like true warriors, come and face me one after another and fight me in single combat, for I am alone and you are in thousands. ” |
|
Umar ibn Sa’d realized that the refusal of all three options, which were just and reasonable, might brook discontent and even lead to mutiny in his own army. Grudgingly and outwardly, as hypocrite that he was, Umar ibn Sa’d conceded the last demand and agreed that his soldiers would challenge Imam Husain (a.s) only in a single combat. Hardly had a few soldiers challenged and were vanquished by Imam Husain (a.s), when Shimr bin Thul Joushan, Harmala, and Sinan bin Anas advised Umar ibn Sa’d saying, “This is the valiant son of the undefeated warrior Ali. He is the best of the Hashimites, and like his father, he can never be overcome in single combat, even if you keep on sending warriors until eternity. The only way to defeat him is to order a general attack, preferably by archers and lancers who can pick al-Husain from a distance, without risking their own lives.” Umar bin Sa’d replied, “You are only reflecting what is in my own mind.” Umar ordered a general attack by his archers and lancers. Arrows and lances rained on Imam Husain (a.s) injuring him from all sides. Imam Husain (a.s) suffered many serious injuries and was bleeding profusely. He was swaying on his steed. Yet, none of the cowards dared to go near him. An arrow struck his forehead with such force that it stuck there. Imam Husain (a.s) pulled it out and fresh blood started flowing on his face. He murmured, “O God, be my witness as to how these people treat your humble servant.” At that moment, another dart pierced his chest with such force that Imam Husain (s) trembled on the saddle. He recited: “In the name of Allah, for the sake of Allah, with His help and in following the tenets of the messenger of Allah. My Lord, you are a witness that these people has killed me and killed the progeny of Your Prophet.” An evil man, Salih bin Wahab al-Muzany, was waiting for an opportunity and he struck the fainting Imam Husain (s) on the head with a heavy club, bringing him down from his horse. Seeing this, Abdullah son of Imam Hasan (a.s) who was about ten years old, rushed out, caught hold of Salih, and said, “How dare you assault my uncle?” The notoriously wretched Harmala struck Abdullah with his poisoned arrow. Imam Husain (a.s) caught hold of the falling lad who died in his arms. |
|
Imam Husain (a.s) looked up at the sky. It was time for evening prayers. Imam Husain (a.s) put his sword in the scabbard and performed his prayers while sitting. He was unable to lift his head. He collected a little heap of sand, and placing his right cheek, facing the camp, and watching if any assault is being made on his camp, Imam Husain (a.s) recited, “O Allah, my Preserver, my Master.” He repeated this with his left cheek placed on the small heap of sand and lastly with his forehead placed on the small heap of sand. This Sunnah is practiced by the Shia when they end their prayers, whether obligatory or recommended prayers, by keeping, instead of a mound of soil, a small pellet made from the soil of Karbala. Seeing Imam Husain (a.s) motionless, ibn Sa’d ordered an assault on the women in Imam Husain’s camp, just to find out if Imam Husain (a.s) was still alive. On hearing the mean trick, Imam Husain (a.s) pulled himself up and said, “How cowardly and shameless you are! You order women and children, who cannot defend themselves, to be assaulted. Come one by one if you are men and fight with me, for I am still alive.” The coward Shimr ordered his soldiers to surround Imam Husain (a.s) and bring him down on the ground. The cowards surrounded Imam Husain (a.s) in a great number and each one gave a blow with whatever weapon he carried. Imam Husain (a.s) fell down and lay prostrate on the ground. Malik bin Bishr gave a severe blow with his sword followed by Zar’ah bin Shareek. Moving on his knees, Imam Husain (a.s) killed Zar’ah with a single blow of his sword. Imam Husain (a.s) said, “O my Lord, give me patience so that I may bear this cruelty. I declare that there is no God but You...” Finding that Imam Husain (a.s), even in this plight continued to glorify, pray and seek strength from God, the infidel hypocrite Hussayn bin Numair struck an arrow which transfixed Imam Husain’s mouth. Another wretch, Abu Ayyoob al-Ghanawi pierced Imam Husain’s throat with an arrow. Nasr bin Kharasha dealt a heavy blow with his sword. Salih bin Wahab al-Muzany struck Imam Husain (a.s) with his lance. Imam Husain (a.s) continued moving about on his knees and praying. Sinan ibn Anas dealt two blows, one with his lance and another with his arrow which paralyzed Imam Husain (a.s). |
|
All these names and factual details are recorded by historians who were present in the battlefield at Karbala. The historian Abu Makhnaf, recorded his detailed eye-witness account about the beheading of Imam Husain (a.s). First, Shabath bin Rib’iy attempted to behead Imam Husain (a.s), but when Imam Husain (a.s) faced him, he ran back shivering. Sinan ibn Anas asked the reason for his sudden retreat and Shabath replied, “When I saw al-Husain’s eyes, I found that they resembled the eyes of the Prophet. The sight so frightened me that I had no courage to touch al-Husain.” Sinan mocked at Shabath and proceeded towards Imam Husain (a.s). When Imam Husain (a.s) looked at him, Sinan trembled and ran away and his sword slipped and fell from his hand. When Shimr questioned him, Sinan replied, “Al-Husain so much resembled Ali that I was unnerved and I lost my courage.” Shimr said, “You are all boneless cowards. It is I and I alone who will behead al-Husain.” The accursed Shimr sat on the chest of the prostrate Imam Husain (a.s). Imam Husain (a.s) opened his eyes and asked the name of the one who was so harsh to him. Shimr mentioned his name, and then Imam Husain (a.s) asked, “Do you know who I am?” Shimr replied, “Yes, I know that you are Husain son of Ali and Fatima the daughter of the Prophet. Hasan is your brother.” Imam Husain (a.s) said, “When you know this, then why do you want to kill me?” The shameless brute replied, “For the reward promised by Yazid to anyone who brings your head.” Imam Husain (a.s) asked, “Is salvation and a place in the Paradise dearer to you, or the reward promised by Yazid?” Shimr replied, “Salvation and Paradise are vain promises without proof and I am not sure about them, but I am sure of the reward promised by Yazid.” On hearing this, Imam Husain (a.s) asked Shimr to remove the cloth covering his chest. On seeing Shimr’s chest, Imam Husain (a.s) exclaimed, “How true my father is and how true my grandfather the messenger of Allah is!” Shimr asked Imam Husain (a.s) what was that, and Imam Husain (a.s) replied, “My grandfather, the messenger of Allah, told my father Ali who related to me that my assassin’s chest would bear the marks of leprosy and it would be full of coarse and long hair like those of a wild boar.” Hearing this, Shimr became angry. He turned Imam Husain (a.s.) over and beheaded him from behind. When asked later why he did so, |
|
Shimr replied that he dared not look into the eyes nor hear the words of Imam Husain (a.s) and therefore he turned him upside down. The severed head mounted on a lance was handed over to Khouli ibn Yazid al-Asbahi and Hamid ibn Muslim. The heads of the other martyrs including the infant Ali al-Asghar were severed from their bodies, mounted on lances, and carried by the tribes of Kindah, Hawazinn, Tameem, and Muthhij under the command of the accursed Shimr bin Thil Joushan, Qais ibn al-Ash’ath, and Amr ibn al-Hajjaj. The tribe of al-Hurr refused to severe his head or permit trampling his body. They took his body and buried it in their village about seven kilometers away from Karbala where his mausoleum is found today. Abu Makhnaf writes, “Having committed the nefarious and sacrilegious act, Shimr cried out ‘Allaho Akbar’ while beheading al-Husain (a.s). At that moment, darkness enveloped and a violent earthquake shook the earth. Raw blood rained from the sky and a loud voice proclaimed, “By God, an Imam, son of an Imam is unjustly slain. The one who cared for the poor, the sick, the disabled, the widows and children is butchered without cause.” This occurred on Friday the tenth of Muharram, in the year 61 A.H.” Abu Ishaq al-Esfarayini narrates similar facts with some additions.[1] Among the Twelver Shia, the tragedy of Karbala is recited in the form of Elegies called ‘Marthiyya’ and have been passed on from a generation to another and regularly recited and detailed by their orators in prose in their congregations known as ‘Majlis’, throughout the year on different important occasions. It will be incorrect to assume that the details of the martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s), his companions and family members are exaggerated. These are facts recorded by impartial historians like Abu Makhnaf and Hameed ibn Muslim, a reporter imbedded with Yazid’s army. None of their accounts have ever been challenged or disproved or even shown to be incorrect or exaggerated. Major Price, Simon Oakley[2] and several western writers have relied on the narration of Hameed and Abu Makhnaf. [1] Life of Imam Husain, p. 239-240.
[2] History of the Saracens. |
source : http://www.maaref-foundation.com
