Martyrdom of Imam al-Hussain (Radhi Allah Anhu)

The Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) said: Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain [Narrated by Tirimdhi in Merits of Al-Hassan and Hussain, Hadith No.3708, where he declared it Hasan (fair)]

The major trait of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah is immense love for the family of Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) especially his grandsons whom he himself loved immensely, to write a detailed biography on merits of his 2 grandsons would require uncountable pages, therefore we have taken detailed extracts from the famous Al Bidayah Wal Nihayah, mentioning virtues of Imam Hussain (Radhi Allah Anhu), his martyrdom, “What actually happened, who was behind his martyrdom, who fought him, where when, how and why?” and how we should remember him.

The Bouquet of flowers!

Below are detailed extracts from Imam Ibn Kathir (Rahimuhullah)'s famous Al Bidayah Wal Nihayah - Volume 8 Pages 195-250

Imam Ibn Kathir (rah) writes: You are Hussain bin Ali bin Abi Talib bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim Abu Abdullah al Qarshi al Hashimi (Radhi Allaho Anho), the grandson (of Prophet), son of his daughter Fatima Az Zahra (Radhi Allah Anha), bouquet of flowers for Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) in this world who got martyred in Karbala. You were born after your brother Al-Hassan(RA) who was born in 3 AH … and martyred at the age of 54 on the day of Friday the 10th Muharram.

It is narrated from Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) that he placed his (blessed) saliva on his Lips, made dua for him and named him Hussain (RA).. Zubair bin Bakkar(rah) narrated that Imam Hassan (RA) resembled the Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam)’s looks whereas Imam Hussain (RA) resembled the Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam)’s body….

The Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) used to honour them both and deal with them very gently, the net result is that Hussain (RA) lived during the times of Prophet (Salallaho alaihi wasalam) and attained his Suhbah till the Prophet (saw) died being happy with him [Note: This is perfect example of him being a Sahabi, whereas Yazid was not, so those who send Yazid to paradise and hypocritically use Radhi Allah with him though they deem it impermissible for other non- Sahaba should have some shame and fear Allah]

Hadrat Abu Bakr (RA) used to respect you immensely, so did Umar (RA) and Usman (RA), you stayed with your father (Ali RA) and narrated from him, also took part in the battles of Jamal and Safeen alongside your father, you were an obedient son till finally your father got martyred…..When Ameer Mu’awiya (RA) became Khalifa, you used to visit him with your brother and Mu’awiya (RA) used to honour you by welcoming you with many gifts, It is said that he gave you both 2 hundred thousand dirhams in a single day…

Invitations from People of Kufa

When during the lifetime of Mu’awiya (RA) the Bayah of Yazid was taken, you along with Hadrat Ibn Zubayr(RA), Hadrat Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakr (RA), Ibn Umar (RA) and Ibn Abbas (RA) rejected to give Bayah to him, Ibn Abi Bakr (ra) passed away on this opinion but when Ameer Mu’awiya (RA) died in 60 AH, Hadrat Ibn Abbas (ra) and Ibn Umar (ra) agreed to give bayah to Yazid (i.e. because of their Ijtihad due to hadith which tell us to obey the ruler even if we see bad traits in him) whereas Imam Hussain (RA) and Hadrat Ibn Zubayr (RA) firmly refused to do so and both of them migrated to Makkah.[because their Ijtihad was more right i.e. an Ameer is to be followed untill he is obedient to Islam and does not order injustice, Yazid was a drunkard, listened to Music, and had other bad habits]

When people found out about death of Ameer Mu’awiya they stuck to Iqtida of Imam Hussain (RA) and started to visit and listen to him, Ibn Zubayr (RA) also used to roam around Ka’ba but in presence of Hussain (RA) he knew that people would give more respect and precedence to Hussain rather than him, however when the Yazidis who wanted to martyr you (i.e. Ibn Zubayr) were in the beginning defeated and you even got your own brother beaten and imprisoned, your importance increased in the sight of people but still people used to respect Imam Hussain (RA) more than you and stuck to him because he was grandson of Prophet (saw), son of his daughter and during that time there was none like him, inspite of all that the Yazidi kingdom became enemy of you.

The Invitation by Kufans

The People of Iraq started to send you many letters of invitation; this was during the time when they got aware of Ameer Mu’awiya (RA)’s death, rule of Yazid being established and you taking shelter in Mecca…. Hence many messengers with their letters gathered around Imam Hussain (RA) and started to persuade him… Imam Hussain (RA) sent Muslim bin Aqeel (RA) to Iraq so that he could investigate

The Yazidees/Kufans welcome Muslim bin Aqeeel(ra)

The Martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqeel (RA)

When Muslim bin Aqeel (RA) left Mecca for Iraq, he passed through Madina from where he picked up 2 guides, but they took you on a wrong way through jungle, one of them died due to thirst and thus you got strayed, then the second guide also passed away. Muslim bin Aqeel (RA) did not take this as a positive sign and he stopped right there, He wrote to Imam Hussain (RA) regarding this, Imam Hussain (RA) swore upon Allah and told him to keep on going so that they can find out the reality of Ahlul Kufa.

Muslim bin Aqeel (RA) finally reached Kufa where he got off at the house of Muslim bin Asadi, some said it was Mukhtar ibn Ubaid Thaqafi and Allah knows the best.

When people of Kufa heard about your arrival, they gathered around you and took bayah on your hand for the Khilafah of Imam Hussain (RA), they also took an oath that they will help you with their lives and properties, at that time 12,000 people agreed to give bayah, this number soon increased to 18,000[other narrations say that it reached 40,000], then Muslim bin Aqeel (RA) wrote to Imam Hussain (RA) that he should now come to Iraq as the passage was clear and people were ready to give bayah, Imam Hussain left Mecca upon this Message (Note: from these passages some might think that Imam Hussain RA was actually betrayed by Kufans and he was not properly informed, whereas when I shall finish Insha ALLAH it will be clear that Imam Hussain kept his Jihad active even after knowing the hypocrisy of Kufans and Yazidis)

The news spread rapidly, the Ameer of Kufa, Nauman bin Basheer rose up and made a speech saying: Do not indulge in dispute and fitnah, stay united together, follow the sunnah of Prophet (saw), whosoever does not fight me, I will not fight him (i.e. Muslim bin Aqeel) but I swear upon Him besides whom there is none worthy of worship, If you stop following your Imam and broke the pledge on his hand, then I will fight you...

The first Major blunder of Yazid

…at this a man known as Abdullah bin Muslim bin Sh’uba stood up and said O Ameer you have shown cowardice whereas this matter is dealt with bravery, at this Nauman replied: I give precedence to cowardice in obedience of Allah than bravery in his disobedience, that man quickly conveyed this message to Yazid by writing a letter to him, Ammara bin Uqba and Umro bin S’ad bin Abi Waqqas also conveyed this message to Yazid. Yazid quickly snatched the powers from hands of Nauman and made UbaidUllah ibn Ziyad the Hakim of Kufa along with Basra,Yazid did this on advice of his slave called Sarjoon from whom he used to take advices, Sarjoon said (deceivingly): If Ameer Mu’awia (RA) were alive, would you accept his advice? Yazid said ofcourse why not, Sarjoon then said: obey me and oppoint UbaydUllah ibn Ziyad as Hakim of Kufa [Note: This was the first major blunder of Yazid to safeguard his own Malookiyah]

Yazid then wrote to Ibn Ziyad: When you reach Kufa, the first thing you should do is ask for Muslim bin Aqeel, If you get hold of him then kill him instantly or send him out of country (May Allah’s Lanah be upon Yazid for giving this order)… Ibn Ziyad went towards Kufa and entered it wearing black turban, whenever he passed by any person he said As Salam o Alaykum and people also replied with Wa Alaykum as salam and welcomed him thinking that it was Imam Hussain (RA) as they were waiting for him too. He arrived in Kufa with 17 people and soon vast number of people gathered around him, suddenly Muslim bin Uqba said on behalf of Yazid Get back O people this is the Ameer Ubaud Ullah Ibn Ziyad, when people heard this they become extremely sad and confused.

Muslim bin Aqeel (ra) does not kill Ibn Ziyad!

Ubayd Ullah gave 3000 dirhams to his slave Muaqal and ordered him to visit different houses by saying that Ibn Ziyad has only come to give bayah (but to indirectly find where people were giving bayah to Muslim bin Aqeel) … (then there is a long story of how the slave found Muslim bin Aqeel, tried to outsmart him but Muslim bin Aqeel the great found out his reality and turned the tables around and soon Muslim changed his location to house of Sharik who was amongst the top leaders). Sharik got informed that UbaydUllah wants to meet him, Sharik sent a message through Hani that he should send Muslim bin Aqeel to his house so that he can kill Ibn Ziyad. When Muslim arrived Sharik advised him to hide in the camp and when Ibn Ziyad sits down, he shall call for water and then point towards you, you should then come and kill him, however when Ibn Ziyad came and sat, Sharik pointed towards Muslim but he changed his mind and did not come out from the hidden place, rather a slave-girl came with a bowl of water and she saw Muslim hiding in the camp which made her turn back. Sharik asked for water again by saying: Give me water even if my life has to be taken!

Soon the guard of (Ibn Ziyad) understood all this, he quickly gestured towards Ibn Ziyaad and he got up from the place and went out and then ran away. Sharik said to Muslim bin Aqeel, WHAT STOPPED YOU FROM KILLING HIM? We could have easily killed him today. (Muslim RA) said: I remembered a saying of Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) that he said: Imaan is opposite of attacking in Ghaflah and a Momin never attacks in Ghaflah, therefore I did not like to kill him in your house. (Sharik) said: If you had killed him then you would have only killed a cruel/Fajir person. After three days Sharik passed away himself.

Strict search orders and Muslim bin Aqeels courage

…..

UbaydUllah ibn Ziyaad after Isha got down from his palace, addressed his governing party asking them to immediately bring Muslim bin Aqeel to him, he gave strict search orders i.e. if he is found in house of someone and that person does not tell about him then he shall be killed too, whereas those who inform about him shall be rewarded, his police searched houses and in the house of an old lady her son after threats from police told whereabouts of Muslim bin Aqeel, Ibn Ziyad sent 70-80 horsemen and the house where Muslim bin Aqeel resided was surrounded without him finding it out, then they entered the house and you (Sayyidna Muslim bin Aqeel Radhi Allaho Anho) brought your sword out and pushed them out 3 times, but both your lips got severely injured, soon they started to throw rocks at you and started to brun the ropes (to burn the house), Your heart got extremely annoyed with what they did and you went ahead with your sword one last time.

Abdur Rahman said you will be dealt with peacefully, hence you gave your hand to him and you were put on a donkey back, your sword was taken from you and you even lost control over yourself and you also cried at that time as you knew that soon you will be martyred, so you became disappointed in yourself and said Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun, a man close to you said: A person who is searched upon like you does not cry like this, you replied: By Allah Im not crying upon myself but Imam Hussain, rather I cry for his children because they have set off towards you from Mecca, then you turned towards Muhammad bin Ashash and told him to take your message to Imam Hussain (RA) , but the messenger inbetween refused to take it and said whatever has been decided by Allah has to happen.

The historians say that when Muslim bin Aqeel (RA) reached the door of Ibn Ziyad there was a group of Sahaba present there whom you recognized and they were asking for permission to talk with Ibn Ziyaad...

Ibn Ziyaad's false accusations

…Muslim bin Aqeel’s face and clothes were dripping with blood and you were also extremely thirsty,upon entering you saw a bucket of cold water which you wanted to hold but it was snatched from your hands and the man sad: By Allah you will not be allowed to drink from it until you drink the boiling water (i.e. water of Hell fire Naudhobillah), You replied: May you perish, you talk to me about boiling water and Hell? Whereas you deserve it more to be in Hell fire. Then you sat down with extreme thirst and took a painful breath.

However your slave Ammara bin Uqba brought you some water from your house, he brought it covered under a handkerchief, he gave the water to you but due to severe injuries on your face and blood you were not able to drink it, you tried to drink again and took just one sip but your teeth fell down in the bowl of water, at this you said Alhamdulillah Allah had only written 1 sip of water for me, after this you were taken to Ibn Ziyad (Lanat Ullah), when you stood infront of him you did not say salaam to him, the guard said wouldn’t you say salaam to to your ameer? You replied No! If he is intending to kill me then there is no need for me to say salaam to him and If he is is not then I will say Salaam to him.

Ibn Ziyad came near you and said: O Ibn Aqeel you came to create discord and make people fight with one another though they were united? You replied I have for sure not come for this purpose, however the people of city say that your father has killed their good men, treated them like Qaisar o Qasra treated their people, therefore I came to do Justice on the critera of Kitab (i.e. Quran). Ibn Ziyad said: O Fasiq (Naudhobillah) Such a great deed and that too from you? Why did you not do this work when you were busy drinking alcohol in Madina? You replied: I drink? By Allah He knows that you are not truthful and you have talked without knowledge, whereas you are more deserving of such character...

Magnificent answers by Muslim bin Aqeel (RA)

...and you are a person who takes life of that person whose life Allah has made sacred (in Quran), you kill for your ego and anger. Ibn Ziyad said: O Fasiq your nafs has misguided you and has become a shield between you and Allah and Allah did not consider you deserving for this job, you replied: Who is deserving for it then? He said: Ameer ul Momineen Yazid. You said: Alhamdulillah Ala Kulli Haal, we agree upon whatever decision Allah makes between us and you. Ibn Ziyad said: Do you assume any share in leadership? You replied: By Allah we don’t assume but we are certain. Ibn Ziyad said What If I kill you in a way in which nobody else was killed? You replied: Yes you are more deserving of innovating a Bidah in Islam which was not done by anyone before you, Ibn Ziyaad (in frustration) started to curse Imam Hussain (RA) Hadrat Ali (RA) and Hadrat Muslim remained quiet at this, then Ibn Ziyad said I am about to murder you, you asked just like this? He said Yes!, you said let me make some Wasiya to my people and he granted you permission

You looked attentively towards your people and Umaro bin Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas was also present amongst them. You said O Umar there is mutual relationship between you and me therefore I have an urgent need from you and it is a secret, therefore come towards a corner of this palace so that I can tell you, he refused to raise up with you until Ibn Ziyad told him to do so and he stood near Ibn Ziyad, Hadrat Muslim said: There is debt upon me in Kufa of 700 Dirhams kindly give it on my behalf, bury my body by asking permission from Ibn Ziyad and please inform Imam Hussain (RA) that I had written to him that people were with him and I think he is coming (but now people turned out to be deceivers), Ibn Abi Waqqas presented all these to Ibn Ziyad but Ibn Ziyad accepted all the Wasiyahs and said If Imam Hussain (RA) is coming towards us then we will not stop our hands over him too (i.e. martyr him too)

The Brutal murder of Muslim bin Aqeel (ra)

Ibn Ziyad ordered Muslim (RA) to be taken at the highest place of Palace and you started to say Takbir, did Tasbih/Astaghfar and said: O Allah do justice between us and those who betrayed us. Then a man sliced his sword on your neck and he was called Bakeer bin Hamran, then he threow your head from the top and after this threw your remaining body too.

A Poet said beautifully: If you do not know what death is then look at the martyrdom of Ibn Aqeel in market who was martyred on order of a (Jabir) Hakim and he became the tale of all travelers, Look at the breave man whose face was cut by swords. If you do not take revenge of your brother’s death then be happy with all you have like a Fuhash woman is happy with little gain.

Then Ibn Ziyad killed other people too who supported (Muslim bin Aqeel) and sent his head (Mubarak) to Yazid (Lanat Ullah) and even wrote letters to him about them.

Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) in light of truth not Shi’ite Exaggerations

Akrama Narrated that his uncle asked Imam Hussain (RA):where do you plan to go? When you told him, he said: I tell you for the sake of Allah that If you do not return home then By Allah whosoever that is ahead of you none of them will safeguard you (i.e. the Kufis) nor will they fight for you, By Allah you are going amongst Spears and swords, I wish the people who had sent you the message would have informed you about the reality of ground and made things correct for you, this is only an advice to you O Imam. Hadrat Hussain (RA) replied:Whatever you have said is not hidden from me however Allah does not change his Amr (order) and after saying this you marched towards Kufa. Khalid bin Al Aas said: Many so called well-wishers have often betrayed and even killed.

The enemies made Imam Hussain (ra) lead in prayer

Al Mundhuri bin al Mashmal narrates that when Imam Hussain (ra) reached (Iraq) and got off, he quickly ordered his fighters to drink and collect water, also give water to their animals.. you made camps in the remote area, Hurr arrived with 1000 men and he was with the army sent by Ibn Ziyaad, they stood infront of you during daytime, at that time Imam Hussain (RA) along with his companions were wearing (black) turbans with swords hanging on their sides. Imam Hussain (RA) ordered his Ashaab to drink as much water as they can, provide water to their horses and also horses of the enemies. Many historians narrate that when the time for Dhuhr arrived, Hajjaj bin Masrooq said adhaan on order of Imam Hussain (RA) and Imam Hussain (RA) came out addressing both his companions and enemies explaining why he has come here and also that he received many letters from Ahlul Kufa i.e. they don’t have a (righteous) Imam and they will support him when he reaches and shall fight alongside him. After this the people stood for Salah, Imam Hussain (RA) said to Hurr (commander sent by Ibn Ziyad) do you want to lead your people in prayer? Hurr said No You lead us all and we will pray behind you (Subhan Allah).

Imam Hussain (RA) led them all in prayer, after this Imam Hussain (RA) returned back to your camp and your companions also gathered around you whereas Hurr returned back to his army and everyone was ready for orders at their places. When time for asr came Imam Hussain (RA) led them in prayer again, you addressed all of them once again and asked the enemy’s army to leave their battalion as their leader was a Dhalim (i.e. Ibn Ziyad). Hurr said: We don’t know who wrote letters to you, Imam Hussain (RA) brought out 2 big bags filled with letters and spread them infront of Hirr, he read some of the letters and said: We are not amongst those people who wrote you letters and we are ordered not to separate from you when we meet and to take you to Ibn Ziyad....