Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Sciences of Creation and Universe

[2:29] He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth, and He directed Himself to the heaven, so He made them complete seven heavens, and He knows all things.

[2:164] Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, and the ships that run in the sea with that which profits men, and the water that Allah sends down from the cloud, then gives life with it to the earth after its death and spreads in it all (kinds of) animals, and the changing of the winds and the clouds made subservient between the heaven and the earth, there are signs for a people who understand.

[3:190] Most surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day there are signs for men who understand.

[6:2] He it is Who created you (man) from clay, then He decreed a term; and there is a term named with Him; still you doubt.

[6:38] And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) genera like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered.

[6:73] And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth with truth, and on the day He says: Be, it is. His word is the truth, and His is the kingdom on the day when the trumpet shall be blown; the Knower of the unseen and the seen; and He is the Wise, the Aware.

[6:95] Surely Allah causes the grain and the stone to germinate; He brings forth the living from the dead and He is the bringer forth of the dead from the living; that is Allah! How are you then turned away.

[6:96] He causes the dawn to break; and He has made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for reckoning; this is an arrangement of the Mighty, the Knowing.

[6:97] And He it is Who has made the stars for you that you might follow the right way thereby in the darkness of the land and the sea; truly We have made plain the communications for a people who know.

[6:98] And He it is Who has brought you into being from a single soul, then there is (for you) a resting-place and a depository; indeed We have made plain the communications for a people who understand.

[6:99] And He it is Who sends down water from the cloud, then We bring forth with it buds of all (plants), then We bring forth from it green (foliage) from which We produce grain piled up (in the ear); and of the palm-tree, of the sheaths of it, come forth clusters (of dates) within reach, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike; behold the fruit of it when it yields the fruit and the ripening of it; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.

[7:54] Surely your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods of time, and He is firm in power; He throws the veil of night over the day, which it pursues incessantly; and (He created) the sun and the moon and the stars, made subservient by His command; surely His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

[7:57] And He it is Who sends forth the winds bearing good news be- fore His mercy, until, when they bring up a laden cloud, We drive it to a dead land, then We send down water on it, then bring forth with it of fruits of all kinds; thus shall We bring forth the dead that you may be mindful.

[7:58] And as for the good land, its vegetation springs forth (abundantly) by the permission of its Lord, and (as for) that which is inferior (its herbage) comes forth but scantily; thus do We repeat the communications for a people who give thanks.

[7:189] He it is Who created you from a single being, and of the same (kind) did He make his mate, that he might incline to her; so when he covers her she bears a light burden, then moves about with it; but when it grows heavy, they both call upon Allah, their Lord: If Thou givest us a good one, we shall certainly be of the grateful ones.

[10:6] Most surely in the variation of the night and the day, and what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth, there are signs for a people who guard (against evil).

[10:24] The likeness of this world's life is only as water which We send down from the cloud, then the herbage of the earth of which men and cattle eat grows luxuriantly thereby, until when the earth puts on its golden raiment and it becomes garnished, and its people think that they have power over it, Our command comes to it, by night or by day, so We render it as reaped seed; produce, as though it had not been in existence yesterday; thus do We make clear the communications for a people who reflect.

[13:2] Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you see, and He is firm in power and He made the sun and the moon subservient (to you); each one pursues its course to an appointed time; He regulates the affair, making clear the signs that you may be certain of meeting your Lord.

[13:3] And He it is Who spread the earth and made in it firm mountains and rivers, and of all fruits He has made in it two kinds; He makes the night cover the day; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.

[13:4] And in the earth there are tracts side by side and gardens of grapes and corn and palm trees having one root and (others) having distinct roots, they are watered with one water, and We make some of them excel others in fruit; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand.

[13:17] He sends down water from the cloud, then watercourses flow (with water) according to their measure, and the torrent bears along the swelling foam, and from what they melt in the fire for the sake of making ornaments or apparatus arises a scum like it; thus does Allah compare truth and falsehood; then as for the scum, it passes away as a worthless thing; and as for that which profits the people, it tarries in the earth; thus does Allah set forth parables.

[14:19] Do you not see that Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He please He will take you off and bring a new creation,

[14:20] And this is not difficult for Allah.

[15:16] And certainly We have made strongholds (zodiac) in the heaven and We have made it fair seeming to the beholders.

[15:17] And We guard it against every accursed Shaitan,

[15:18] But he who steals a hearing, so there follows him a visible flame.

[15:19] And the earth, We have spread it forth and made in it firm mountains and caused to grow in it of every suitable thing.

[15:20] And We have made in it means of subsistence for you and for him for whom you are not the suppliers.

[15:21] And there is not a thing but with Us are the treasures of it, and We do not send it down but in a known measure.

[15:22] And We send the winds fertilizing, then send down water from the cloud so We give it to you to drink of, nor is it you who store it up.

[15:23] And most surely We bring to life and cause to die and We are the heirs.

[15:26] And certainly We created man of clay that gives forth sound, of black mud fashioned in shape.

[15:27] And the jinn We created before, of intensely hot fire.

[16:4] He created man from a small seed and lo! He is an open contender.

[16:5] And He created the cattle for you; you have in them warm clothing and (many) advantages, and of them do you eat.

[16:6] And there is beauty in them for you when you drive them back (to home), and when you send them forth (to pasture).

[16:7] And they carry your heavy loads to regions which you could not reach but with distress of the souls; most surely your Lord is Compassionate, Merciful.

[16:8] And (He made) horses and mules and asses that you might ride upon them and as an ornament; and He creates what you do not know.

[16:10] He it is Who sends down water from the cloud for you; it gives drink, and by it (grow) the trees upon which you pasture.

[16:11] He causes to grow for you thereby herbage, and the olives, and the palm trees, and the grapes, and of all the fruits; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect.

[16:12] And He has made subservient for you the night and the day and the sun and the moon, and the stars are made subservient by His commandment; most surely there are signs in this for a people who ponder;

[16:13] And what He has created in the earth of varied hues most surely there is a sign in this for a people who are mindful.

[16:14] And He it is Who has made the sea subservient that you may eat fresh flesh from it and bring forth from it ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships cleaving through it, and that you might seek of His bounty and that you may give thanks.

[16:15] And He has cast great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with you, and rivers and roads that you may go aright,

[16:16] And landmarks; and by the stars they find the right way.

[16:40] Our word for a thing when We intend it, is only that We say to it, Be, and it is.

[16:65] And Allah has sent down water from the cloud and therewith given life to the earth after its death; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who would listen.

[16:66] And most surely there is a lesson for you in the cattle; We give you to drink of what is in their bellies, from betwixt the feces and the blood, pure milk, easy and agreeable to swallow for those who drink.

[16:67] And of the fruits of the palms and the grapes, you obtain from them intoxication and goodly provision; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who ponder.

[16:68] And your Lord revealed to the bee saying: Make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they build:

[16:69] Then eat of all the fruits and walk in the ways of your Lord submissively. There comes forth from within it a beverage of many col- ours, in which there is healing for men; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect.

[16:79] Do they not see the birds, constrained in the middle of the sky? None withholds them but Allah; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.

[16:80] And Allah has given you a place to abide in your houses, and He has given you tents of the skins of cattle which you find light to carry on the day of your march and on the day of your halting, and of their wool and their fur and their hair (He has given you) household stuff and a provision for a time.

[18:7] Surely We have made whatever is on the earth an embellishment for it, so that We may try them (as to) which of them is best in works.

[18:8] And most surely We will make what is on it bare ground without herbage.

[21:30] Do not those who disbelieve see that the heavens and the earth were closed up, but We have opened them; and We have made of water everything living, will they not then believe?

[21:31] And We have made great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with them, and We have made in it wide ways that they may follow a right direction.

[21:32] And We have made the heaven a guarded canopy and (yet) they turn aside from its signs.

[21:33] And He it is Who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all (orbs) travel along swiftly in their celestial spheres.

[22:5] O people! If you are in doubt about the raising (Qayamah), then surely We created you from dust, then from a small seed, then from a clot, then from a lump of flesh, complete in make and incomplete, that We may make clear to you; and We cause what We please to stay in the wombs till an appointed time, then We bring you forth as babies, then that you may attain your maturity; and of you is he who is caused to die, and of you is he who is brought back to the worst part of life, so that after having knowledge he does not know anything; and you see the earth sterile land, but when We send down on it the water, it stirs and swells and brings forth of every kind a beautiful herbage.

[23:12] And certainly We created man of an extract of clay,

[23:13] Then We made him a small seed in a firm resting-place,

[23:14] Then We made the seed a clot, then We made the clot a lump of flesh, then We made (in) the lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We caused it to grow into another creation, so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators.

[23:17] And certainly We made above you seven heavens; and never are We heedless of creation.

[23:18] And We send down water from the cloud according to a measure, then We cause it to settle in the earth, and most surely We are able to carry it away.

[23:19] Then We cause to grow thereby gardens of palm trees and grapes for you; you have in them many fruits and from them do you eat;

[23:20] And a tree that grows out of Mount Sinai which produces oil and a condiment for those who eat.

[23:21] And most surely there is a lesson for you in the cattle: We make you to drink of what is in their bellies, and you have in them many advantages and of them you eat,

[23:22] And on them and on the ships you are borne.

[24:40] Or like utter darkness in the deep sea: there covers it a wave above which is another wave, above which is a cloud, (layers of) utter darkness one above another; when he holds out his hand, he is almost unable to see it; and to whomsoever Allah does not give light, he has no light.

[24:43] Do you not see that Allah drives along the clouds, then gathers them together, then piles them up, so that you see the rain coming forth from their midst? And He sends down of the clouds that are (like) mountains wherein is hail, afflicting there with whom He pleases and turning it away from whom He pleases; the flash of His lightning almost takes away the sight.

[24:44] Allah turns over the night and the day; most surely there is a lesson in this for those who have sight.

[24:45] And Allah has created from water every living creature: so of them is that which walks upon its belly, and of them is that which walks upon two feet, and of them is that which walks upon four; Allah creates what He pleases; surely Allah has power over all things.

[25:45] Have you not considered (the work of) your Lord, how He ex- tends the shade? And if He had pleased He would certainly have made it stationary; then We have made the sun an indication of it

[25:46] Then We take it to Ourselves, taking little by little.

[25:47] And He it is Who made the night a covering for you, and the sleep a rest, and He made the day to rise up again.

[25:48] And He it is Who sends the winds as good news before His mercy; and We send down pure water from the cloud,

[25:49] That We may give life thereby to a dead land and give it for drink, out of what We have created, to cattle and many people.

[25:53] And He it is Who has made two seas to flow freely, the one sweet that subdues thirst by its sweetness, and the other salt that burns by its saltiness; and between the two He has made a barrier and inviolable obstruction.

[25:54] And He it is Who has created man from the water, then He has made for him blood relationship and marriage relationship, and your Lord is powerful.

[25:61] Blessed is He Who made the constellations in the heavens and made therein a lamp and a shining moon.

[25:62] And He it is Who made the night and the day to follow each other for him who desires to be mindful or desires to be thankful.

[27:60] Nay, He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sent down for you water from the cloud; then We cause to grow thereby beautiful gardens; it is not possible for you that you should make the trees thereof to grow. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! They are people who deviate.

[27:61] Or, Who made the earth a resting-place, and made in it rivers, and raised on it mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! Most of them do not know!

[30:20] And one of His signs is that He created you from dust, then lo! You are mortals (who) scatter.

[30:21] And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.

[30:22] And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors; most surely there are signs in this for the learned.

[30:23] And one of His signs is your sleeping and your seeking of His grace by night and (by) day; most surely there are signs in this for a people who would hear.

[30:24] And one of His signs is that He shows you the lightning for fear and for hope, and sends down water from the clouds then gives life therewith to the earth after its death; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand

[30:48] Allah is he Who sends forth the winds so they raise a cloud, then He spreads it forth in the sky as He pleases, and He breaks it up so

that you see the rain coming forth from inside it; then when He causes it to fall upon whom He pleases of His servants, lo! They are joyful

[30:49] Though they were before this, before it was sent down upon them, confounded in sure despair.

[30:50] Look then at the signs of Allah's mercy, how He gives life to the earth after its death, most surely He will raise the dead to life; and He has power over all things.

[30:54] Allah is He Who created you from a state of weakness then He gave strength after weakness, then ordained weakness and hoary hair after strength; He creates what He pleases, and He is the Knowing, the Powerful.

[31:10] He created the heavens without pillars as you see them, and put mountains upon the earth lest it might convulse with you, and He spread in it animals of every kind; and We sent down water from the cloud, then caused to grow therein (vegetation) of every noble kind.

[31:11] This is Allah's creation, but show Me what those besides Him have created. Nay, the unjust are in manifest error

[32:4] Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six periods, and He mounted the throne (of authority); you have not besides Him any guardian or any intercessor, will you not then mind?

[32:7] He made good everything that He has created, and He began the creation of man from dust.

[32:8] Then He made his progeny of an extract, of water held in light estimation.

[32:9] Then He made him complete and breathed into him of His spirit, and made for you the ears and the eyes and the hearts; little is it that you give thanks.

[32:26] Does it (the natural changes taking place in this world) not point out to them the right way, how many of the generations, in whose abodes they go about, did We destroy before them? Most surely there are signs in this; will they not then hear?

[32:27] Do they not see that We drive the water to a land having no herbage, then We bring forth thereby seed-produce of which their cattle and they themselves eat; will they not then see?

[35:9] And Allah is He Who sends the winds so they raise a cloud, then We drive it on to a dead country, and therewith We give life to the earth after its death; even so is the quickening.

[35:11] And Allah created you of dust, then of the life-germ, then He made you pairs; and no female bears, nor does she bring forth, except with His knowledge; and no one whose life is lengthened has his life lengthened, nor is aught diminished of one's life, but it is all in a book; surely this is easy to Allah.

[35:12] And the two seas are not alike: the one sweet, that subdues thirst by its excessive sweetness, pleasant to drink; and the other salt, that burns by its saltiness; yet from each of them you eat fresh flesh and bring forth ornaments which you wear; and you see the ships cleave through it that you may seek of His bounty and that you may be grateful.

[35:13] He causes the night to enter in upon the day, and He causes the day to enter in upon the night, and He has made subservient (to you) the sun and the moon; each one follows its course to an appointed time; this is Allah, your Lord, His is the kingdom; and those whom you call upon besides Him do not control a straw.

[35:27] Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the cloud, then We bring forth therewith fruits of various colors; and in the mountains are streaks, white and red, of various hues and (others) intensely black?

[35:28] And of men and beasts and cattle are various species of it like- wise; those of His servants only who are possessed of knowledge fear Allah; surely Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.

[36:36] Glory be to Him Who created pairs of all things, of what the earth grows, and of their kind and of what they do not know.

[36:37] And a sign to them is the night: We draw forth from it the day, then lo! They are in the dark;

[36:38] And the sun runs on to a term appointed for it; that is the ordinance of the Mighty, the Knowing.

[36:39] And (as for) the moon, We have ordained for it stages till it be- comes again as an old dry palm branch.

[36:40] Neither is it allowable to the sun that it should overtake the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day; and all float on in a sphere.

[39:5] He has created the heavens and the earth with the truth; He makes the night cover the day and makes the day overtake the night, and He has made the sun and the moon subservient; each one runs on to an assigned term; now surely He is the Mighty, the great Forgiver.

[39:6] He has created you from a single being, then made its mate of the same (kind), and He has made for you eight of the cattle in pairs. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, a creation after a creation, in triple darkness; that is Allah your Lord, His is the kingdom; there is no god but He; whence are you then turned away?

[40:67] He it is Who created you from dust, then from a small lifegerm, then from a clot, then He brings you forth as a child, then that you may attain your maturity, then that you may be old, and of you there are some who are caused to die before, and that you may reach an appointed term, and that you may understand.

[40:68] He it is Who gives life and brings death, so when He decrees an affair, He only says to it: Be, and it is.

[41:9] Say: What! Do you indeed disbelieve in Him (Allah) Who created the earth in two periods, and do you set up equals with Him? That is the Lord of the Worlds.

[41:10] And He made in it mountains above its surface, and He blessed therein and made therein its foods, in four periods: alike for the seekers.

[41:11] Then He directed Himself to the heaven and it is a vapor, so He said to it and to the earth: Come both, willingly or unwillingly. They both said: We come willingly.

[41:12] So He ordained them seven heavens in two periods, and revealed in every heaven its affair; and We adorned the lower heaven with brilliant stars and (made it) to guard; that is the decree of the Mighty, the Knowing.

[41:39] And among His signs is this, that you see the earth still, but when We send down on it the water, it stirs and swells: most surely He Who gives it life is the Giver of life to the dead; surely He has power over all things.

[50:38] And certainly We created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six periods and there touched Us not any fatigue.

[55:14] He created man from dry clay like earthen vessels,

[55:15] And He created the jinn of a flame of fire.

[55:16] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

[55:17] Lord of the East and Lord of the West.

[55:18] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

[55:19] He has made the two seas to flow freely (so that) they meet together:

[55:20] Between them is a barrier which they cannot pass.

[55:21] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

[55:22] There come forth from them pearls, both large and small.

[55:23] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?

[56:57] We have created you, why do you not then assent?

[56:58] Have you considered the seed?

[56:59] Is it you that create it or are We the creators?

[67:3] Who created the seven heavens one above another; you see no incongruity in the creation of the Beneficent Allah; then look again, can you see any disorder?

[67:4] Then turn back the eye again and again; your look shall come back to you confused while it is fatigued.

[67:5] And certainly We have adorned this lower heaven with lamps and We have made these missiles for the Shaitans, and We have prepared for them the chastisement of burning.

[75:36] Does man think that he is to be left to wander without an aim?

[75:37] Was he not a small seed in the seminal elements,

[75:38] Then he was a clot of blood, so He created (him) then made (him) perfect.

[75:39] Then He made of him two kinds, the male and the female.

[75:40] Is not He (Allah) able to give life to the dead?

[77:20] Did We not create you from contemptible water?

[77:21] Then We placed it in a secure resting-place,

[77:22] Till an appointed term,

[77:23] So We proportion it, how well are We at proportioning (things).

[78:6] Have We not made the earth an even expanse?

[78:7] And the mountains as projections (thereon)?

[78:8] And We created you in pairs,

[78:9] And We made your sleep to be rest (to you),

[78:10] And We made the night to be a covering,

[78:11] And We made the day for seeking livelihood.

[78:12] And We made above you seven strong ones,

[78:13] And We made a shining lamp,

[78:14] And We send down from the clouds water pouring forth abundantly,

[78:15] That We may bring forth thereby corn and herbs,

[78:16] And gardens dense and luxuriant.

[79:27] Are you the harder to create or the heaven? He made it.

[79:28] He raised high its height, then put it into a right good state.

[79:29] And He made dark its night and brought out its light.

[79:30] And the earth, He expanded it after that.

[79:31] He brought forth from it its water and its pasturage.

[79:32] And the mountains, He made them firm,

[79:33] A provision for you and for your cattle.

[86:5] So let man consider of what he is created:

[86:6] He is created of water pouring forth,

[86:7] Coming from between the back and the ribs.

[86:8] Most surely He (Allah) is able to return him (to life).

[88:17] Will they not then consider the camels, how they are created?

[88:18] And the heaven, how it is reared aloft,

[88:19] And the mountains, how they are firmly fixed,

[88:20] And the earth, how it is made a vast expanse?

Sects and Diversity

[6:159] Surely they who divided their religion into parts and became sects, you have no concern with them; their affair is only with Allah, then He will inform them of what they did.

[21:92] Surely this Islam is your religion, one religion (only), and I am your Lord, therefore serve Me.

[21:93] And they broke their religion (into sects) between them: to Us shall all come back.

[21:94] Therefore whoever shall do of good deeds and he is a believer, there shall be no denying of his exertion, and surely We will write (It) down for him.

[23:53] But they cut off their religion among themselves into sects, each part rejoicing in that which is with them.

[23:54] Therefore leave them in their overwhelming ignorance till a time.

[30:31] Turn to Him, and be careful of (your duty to) Him and keep up prayer and be not of the polytheists

[30:32] Of those who divided their religion and became sects, every sect rejoicing in what they had with them

[42:8] And if Allah had pleased He would surely have made them (mankind) a single community, but He makes whom He pleases enter in- to His mercy, and the unjust it is that shall have no guardian or helper.

[72:10] And that we know not whether evil is meant for those who are on earth or whether their Lord means to bring them good:

[72:11] And that some of us (Jinns) are good and others of us are below that: we are sects following different ways:

IMAM HUSAIN GAVE COMFORT TO HIS SISTER ZAINEB

In the evening, Imam Husain was reciting some sad poetry when his sister Zaineb heard him. She came out of her tent, and said, “O I wish that I were not alive today, so that I would not have to see this day.” Imam Husain said to his sister, “What are you saying? Where is your patience? Be afraid of Allah Most High, and believe in his commands and thank Allah Most High. My mother, Fatima, who was the daughter of our Prophet (sallal laho alihi wa sallam) has passed away. My father, Ali, has also passed away. My brother, Hasan, has gone as well. And all the people who are on this earth will one day have to die and even the angels will have to die. And there is no doubt that one day will come when everything will be destroyed, and there will be only Allah Most High. My father was better than me, my mother was better than me, my brother was better than me. We all have to obey our Prophet (sallal laho alihi wa sallam). If the people who were better than us have gone then who are we to think we will not? We will have to go one day. O my sister, if I were to die tomorrow then I do not want you to pull your hair or beat your chest or cry loudly. Be patient because Allah is pleased with those who are patient.” When she heard this, she became very quite and went inside her tent.

Imam Husain called his people and said, “Tighten all the ropes which are connected to each tent, and dig a trench around the tents and set fire in them, so when the enemy come to attack us in the morning they will not be able to reach the tents.” After doing this, they went and prayed until Fajar. Imam Husain led the Fajar prayer for his followers, and Umar bin Sa’d lead the prayer for his men. It was Friday the 10th of Muharram 61 AH.

IMAM HUSAIN’S HISTORICAL SERMON

When Imam Husain saw that both sides were ready to go to war, he mounted a camel and faced the opposition and made the following speech:

“O people do not rush to kill me as I am the grandson of our Prophet (sallal laho alihi wa sallam), I have not come here of my own accord but have been called by you people. At this time, there is not a man on earth who is the grandson of a prophet apart from me. Pause to think for a while who am I ? If you want to know about me, go and ask the Prophet’s companions who are still alive. Go and ask Jaffer bin Abdullah, Abu Sa'id, Suhail bin Sa’d, Zaid bin Arkam and Anas bin Malik. They will tell you how the Prophet (sallal laho alihi wa sallam) used to love us. Tell me is it right for you to receive me with un-sheathed swords? Tell me, for what crime do you want to kill me? Have I killed anyone that you want to punish me for his or her murder? Or have I taken anybody’s property? O people listen to me, did you not write letters asking me to come? Once again I say, I have come here because you have invited me. But since I have come here, you do not recognise me and you do not want to support me.” He then finished his sermon and dismounted the camel.

EXCHANGE OF WORDS BETWEEN ZUHAIR AND SHIMAR

Zuhair bin Qayn, one of the supporters of Imam Husain, said, "O people of Kufa! We are all brothers, and we have not yet started to fight. On one side is the grandson of our Prophet and on the other side is Ibn Ziyad. You should leave that evil man and come and join Imam Husain‘s group. Those who contribute to the killing of the grandson of the Prophet will be in utter loss on the Day of Judgement because the Prophet will not intercede on their behalf. Victory lies with Imam Husain; with King Yazid and the governor there is nothing but shame.” Shimar responded that Zuhair bin Qayn his group would all be punished and killed. Zuhair replied, "You should not interrupt us. We are honest supporters of Imam Husain, and for that reason we will be granted Paradise." Zouhair wanted to continue with this verbal battle, but Imam Husain told him to go back to his tent.

SEPARATION OF HUR BIN YAZID FROM THE ARMY OF UMAR BIN SA’D

When Umar bin Sa’d decided to attack, Hur came before him and asked him if they were going to fight with Imam Husain. And if they had not accepted his proposals.Umar bin Sa’d said that he wanted to accept one of those proposals but Ibn Ziyad had not agreed to any of those conditions. After listening to this Hur started to move closer and closer towards Imam Husain and his followers with thirty of his men. One person said, “Hur, why are your legs shaking? Hur answered “I am trying to decide whether to go to Paradise or to Hell.” Before they knew it, he and his men were beside Imam Husain. He said “I am the person who made you encamp here and stopped you from going back to Makkah. I swear by Allah Most High I did not realise that the situation would escalate to such a degree that they would want to kill you. Whatever I have done was wrong. Can you tell me, if I ask for forgiveness, will Allah Most High forgive me? Imam Husain said, “Of course, Allah Most High will forgive you and I will make Dua for you that Allah Most High forgives you for your past sins.”

In this way Hur joined Imam Husain and left Umar bin Sa’d‘s army. Hur then addressed Umar bin Sa’d‘s army:

“O people, why did you not accept any of the terms offered by Imam Husain? Do you think that Allah Most High will allow you to succeed and defeat the grandson of his beloved Prophet (pbuh)? Do you think that by killing Imam Husain you will gain salvation? O residents of Kufa! you called Imam Husain and have now left him alone. How sad it is that you have surrounded him in a place where he cannot go anywhere. And how pathetic it is that you have blocked the river (Euphrates) so that no person from his followers can have water. The Jews, Christians, Fire worshipers, dogs, pigs and other animals are drinking water but Imam Husain cannot have water. Is he not even worthy of drinking our water? O people, if you do not repent from this and give Imam Husain water, on the Day of Judgement Allah Most High will also not let you drink water from the river Kauther.”

While Hur was making his speech the people started throwing arrows at him and he went inside the camp.

BEGINNING OF THE WAR

On 10th of Muharram Umar bin Sa’d got his bow and arrows ready and started to fire them towards Imam Husain and his followers. He said “O people, be my witness that I was the first one to shoot my arrows towards Imam Husain.” When his people saw this they also started to shoot their arrows towards them. Afterwards Yassar the slave of Ziyad, and Salam, the slave of UbayduLlah came from Umar bin Sa'd’s army and challenged Imam Husain and said, “Send two of your champions and we shall fight them.” From Imam Husain’s side, Abdullah bin Omair Kalbi came out to fight. He killed Yassar. Salam tried to kill Abdullah and struck a blow with which Abdullah lost the fingers of one of his hands. Then Abdullah struck a blow on Salam and killed him too. Nearby was his wife who came running towards him and said, “I am proud of you for your willingness to sacrifice yourself for the grandson of our Prophet (sallal laho alhi wasallam) and I am also with you.” Abdullah said to her, “You should go back to where Imam Husain is.” Then Abdullah went towards Umar bin Sa'ds army and started to fight with them. They all attacked him and martyred him. (May Allah grant him Paradise, Ameen)

END OF IBN JOZAH

Ibn Jozah was from the army of Umar bin Sa’d. He left his post and started to say to Imam Husain and his followers, “Where is Imam Husain? Which one of you is Imam Husain?” The third time he asked this, one of the people from the crowd said, “He is with us. What would you like to say to him?” Ibn Jozah said “O Imam Husain I have come to tell you that you are shortly going to enter the Hell fire.” Imam Husain said, “You are a lair, after my death I am going to meet Allah Most High, who is the most Merciful and most Kind. Who are you?” Ibn Jozah told his name. Imam Husain then made a supplication (Dua) “O Allah Most High send him to the Hell Fire.” Upon hearing this Ibn Jozah became angry when he heard this and tried to ride his horse towards Imam Husain at high speed. But his horse became frightened and tossed him over, whereby his foot got caught in the stirrup and he was left hanging to the ground. The horse started to gallop very fast and he was dragged along the floor. It got to the point that there was no flesh left on his face and he died. One of Ibn Jozah’s friends said, “I am not going to fight with Imam Husain as his supplications are accepted immediately.”

MARTYRDOM OF IBN KHUZAIR

Yazid bin Ma‘qil came from the other side to challenge Imam Husain’s companions to single combat. Ibn Khuzair came out from Imam Husain’s side and said, “You people are liars and cheats. You should repent because you came to fight with Imam Husain.” They started to fight and Ibn Khuzair killed Yazid bin Ma‘qil. When his people saw this, they rushed over to attack Ibn Khuzair and K‘ab bin Jabir martyred him. K‘ab’s wife was on Imam Husain’s side. When she saw that her husband had killed Ibn Khuzair, she came over and said to him, “How can you kill a person who was the best amongst us in reading the Holy Qur'an, and was known as Sayyidul Qurah. I do not want anything to do with you. I am asking for a divorce from you as we have nothing in common.”

MARTYRDOM OF UMAR BIN QURZAH

One of Imam Husain’s followers Umar bin Qurzah came to help Ibn Khuzair and fought til he was also martyred. One of his brothers was in the army of Umar bin Sa’d. He shouted in a loud voice, “O Husain, you are a liar and your father was a lair also, and you brain-washed my brother so that he became your follower and was killed for you.” Imam Husain answered, “I did not mislead your brother but Allah Most High guided him on the straight path. You are being misled.” Upon hearing this Umar got angry and started to attack Imam Husain’s side and said, “There will be either me or you left; only one of us will survive this battle.” In the mean time, Nafi' bin Hilal from Imam Husain’s side shot an arrow at him and injured him badly and then pulled his sword out ready to go and cut off his head. Just as he was about to do some people from the other side came and took him back, thus he survived.

After this two other people, Muzahim bin Harees and Yazid bin Sufyan came out to fight. They challenged anyone, asking who wanted to confront them. Nafi' bin Hilal and Hur came out for the single combat. It was the saem Hur who had deserted Umar bin Sa’d’s army and had repented. They both went out to fight these two people and Allah Most High gave them victory over both of them. The losses suffered by Umar’s army greatly worried Amar bin Hujjaj, so he suggested that rather than meeting Imam Husain’s supporters in single combat,a general attack should be launched.Umar bin Sa’d agreed with his plan.

When Imam Husain heard this he said, “O Umar bin Hajjaj how can you turn the people against us. If you were to die in this position, in your heart you know who is speaking the truth and who is telling lies. Which of the two groups is on the straight path and which one is not.” Hajjaj could not bear to listen to the truth so he attacked Imam Husain’s side with the entire right-wing of the army under him. The attack was resisted by Imam Husain’s companions but Muslim bin ‘Awsaja was left on the ground of the battlefield. Imam Husain came to him and comforted him saying, “May Allah Most High be Merciful to you.” Habib bin Muzahar, who was close-by, said, “May Allah Most High grant you Paradise.” Muslim bin ‘Awsaja opened his eyes and said, “Whatever happens, until you are alive do not leave Imam Husain’s side as he is on the straight path.” Thus ‘Awsaja passed away.

RAIN OF ARROWS ON IMAM HUSAIN’S FOLLOWERS

The rival force decided to launch their attack at once, and simultaneously began to fire arrows at Imam Husain and his followers. Some of Imam Husain’s followers and their horses sustained injuries. Even Hur’s horse was injured, and many of the horses were no longer capable of being used in the battle. But the brave soldiers began fighting on foot and the fight dragged until the afternoon. By mid-afternoon the battle was in full force. Umar bin Sa'd and his followers saw that they were losing the battle and lost the courage to continue fighting. Eventually, Shimar and Umar bin Sa'd ordered the others to begin throwing fireballs on the tents of Imam Husain and his followers. When Imam Husain realised what they were planning to do, he came out of his tent and shouted, "Have you got no shame? There are children and women in these tents, how are they going to protect themselves if they get burnt?" He turned to Shimar and asked him, "Are you not ashamed to throw fireballs on my tent when my wife and children are inside it?" Shimar replied, "It does not matter to me that by burning down these tents I will go to Hell, I will burn them down anyway." Eventually, two men Humaid bin Muslim and Shabath bin Rib‘i, told him that it was wrong to be attack the tents in this way, and they stopped throwing the fireballs at them.

MARTYRDOM OF HABIB BIN MUZAHAR AND HUR BIN YAZID

As people from Imam Husain's side were martyred during the course of the battle, his group of followers began to look very small in number. In contrast, when members of the opposition lost their lives it made no difference to their strength. In the mean time the hour for the Friday prayer arrived. Abu Thumama Sa‘idi suggested to Imam Husain that they should ask the rival force to allow them to offer the Friday prayer, and if the enemy decided to kill them during the prayer then it will still be a great honour to die in the state of prayer. Imam Husain told him to ask Shimar if they were permitted to say the prayer.

He went to ask Shimar to stop the battle so that they could pray. Haseen bin Numair emerged from the ranks of the army saying, “what is the point of saying prayers when your prayers are not accepted.” Habib bin Muzahar from Imam Husain’s side said, “O dog of the world, do you think your prayers are accepted? How can you say that the prayers of the grandson of our Prophet (sallal laho alihi wa sallam) are not accepted? Are you not ashamed by saying this?” Haseen got angry and got on his horse and came very quickly towards Habib. Habib got his sword and waved it at him and hit him so hard that he fell off his horse and was badly injured. His companions ran to his rescue and took his body away and started to fight with Habib. Habib fought with them with great courage. Habib also killed Badeel bin Suream. Another person attacked Habib from behind and as he turned round to confront him Haseen came again and martyred Habib. When Imam Husain saw this he was deeply saddened by the fact that such a courageous man has been martyred.

Hur asked Imam Husain to allow him to sacrifice himself and take revenge for the death of Habib. Hur used his sword very effectively in the battlefield and killed amny men. This inspired such awe in the hearts of Umar bin S’ad’s men that they began shooting arrows at him. Eventually, it was Abu Thamama who martyred him.

MARTYRDOM OF NAFI’ BIN HILAL

Nafi’ bin Hilal, one of Imam Husain‘s friends, was a very courageous person; he killed twelve of Umar bin Sa'd’s soldiers. Eventually, he was injured so severly that they captured him and took him to Umar bin Sa’d. Umar bin Sa’d looked at Nafi' bin Hilal and said, “Look what we have done to you.” Nafi' said, “I have killed twelve of your men and sent them to Hell Fire. If I had any more strength in my arms I would kill you and send you to the Hell Fire as well. But I am glad that I am fighting for Imam Husain and am going to be martyred by people who are on the wrong path. After saying this he breathed his last and joined many others in martyrdom.

SOME OTHER MARTYRS

The fighting continued and people would come to Imam Husain and ask him to be allowed to sacrifice themselves. Abdullah and Abdur’rahman who were from the Gafari tribe came to Imam Husain and asked for his permission to fight. Permission was granted and while fighting with Umar bin Sa'd’s men they were martyred. Similarly, Saif and Malik came and begged for his leave. When they went in the battlefield, they told the rival force, “Leave the wrong path and join us on the straight path. How will you explain yourselves to Allah Most High on the Day of Judgement?” When they heard this Umar bin Sa'd’s men attacked and martyred them. Similarly, Shawdhb bin Abdullah and Ibn Abi Shabib Shakri’s servant, Shuzab, came to Imam Hussian to ask his permission to sacrifice their lives for the sake of saving the valuable principles of Islamic political system. They too achieved martyred. This pattern of events was repeated again and again and may people were martyrdom in this way.

MARTYRDOM OF IMAM HUSAIN’S FAMILY

When all his close friends and the followers who came with him had been martyred, the only people left were members of Imam Husain’s immediate family: his young sons, his brother and himself. One of Imam Husain’s sons, Ali Akbar, came to request Imam Husain to permit him to sacrifice himself in the cause of the Truth. Permission was granted and as he entered the battlefield, he killed many of Umar bin Sa'd’s men but they were too great in number and he suffered repeated attacks at their hands. Murah bin Munqad Abdi attacked Ali Akbar from behind with a spear which made him fall to the ground. When the people saw him falling to the ground, they ran to him and attacked him with swords and martyred him. Oun, Abdur’rahman, and Jaffer went with Imam Husain to bring Ali Akbar’s body back to the tent.

Abdullah bin Muslim then went to fight and was injured by Umar bin Subeah Saydani’s arrow. He was on the ground. Umar saw his chance and shot another arrow and martyred Abdullah. The enemy were slowly surrounding them and Abdullah bin Qutbah Ta‘i martyred Oun bin Abdullah bin Jaffer. Uthman bin Kahlid and Bisher bin Shawoth martyred Abdur’rahman bin Aqeel. Abdullah bin Urah Kashee martyred Jaffer bin Aqeel.

Qasim bin Hasan, Imam Husain’s nephew, went to fight and as soon as he entered the battlefield, Umar bin Sa’d bin Nafaill Azdi attacked him viciously from behind. Qasim fell to the ground and shouted “O my uncle, O my uncle.” When Imam Husain heard this he quickly went to his assistance and attacked Umar. Umar tried to save himself but his hand got injured and as he fell he shouted to his friends. His friends came in such a disordly fashion that a great commotion was caused by the galloping of so many horses and Umar was crushed to death by them.

Imam Husain stood by Qasim and said “How evil is this group, how bad are these people who have martyred you? Tomorrow on the Day of Judgement I will present you in front of Allah Most High and He will decide their fate. I have been forced into such a weak position that even when my nephew calls out to me for help I cannot help him. I have never before faced such helplessness, and I swear by Allah Most High that my enemies are great in number and my companions are few.” While Imam Husain was talking to Qasim, he slowly passed away. Imam Husain carried his body on his back and brought him to where the bodies of Ali Akbar and other relatives had been kept. Abu Bakr bin Hasn was also attacked and martyred.

MARTYRDOM OF ABDULLAH BIN HUSAIN

For a short period of time the battle was less intense, Imam Husain walked out of the tent. After a while he sat down with his son, Abdullah bin Husain, in his lap. Abdullah bin Husain was four or five year old at that time. A person from Bani Asad shot an arrow which penetrated Abdullah’s neck, and he was also martyred. Imam Husain looked up towards the sky and said “O Allah Most High, if you do not help us we will be killed one by one, take revenge on these tyrant people.”

IMAM HUSAIN’S BROTHERS WERE MARTYRED

Abbas bin Ali, Imam Husain’s brother called his two other brothers, Abdullah and Jaffer, and said, “Let us fight the enemy who are against Allah Most High and his Prophet, even if we have to be martyred.” They fought with their all hearts, until Hani bin Sabet martyred Abdullah bin Ali and Jaffer bin Ali. A person from the tribe of Bani, Abban bin Daram, attacked Uthman bin Ali and knocked him down. Then he got on top of his chest, cut off his head and martyred him. Another person from the same tribe martyred Muhammad bin Ali. Abu Bakr bin Ali was also martyred.

IMAM HUSAIN WAS LEFT ALONE

Imam Husain’s sons, nephews, brothers, relatives, friends and supporters – all had been martyred. Imam Husain was left alone. Imam Husain was thirsty and tired due to all the fighting. He started to go towards the river Euphrates so that he may have a drink. When he was close enough to have a drink, Haseen bin Numair shot an arrow that hit Imam Husain in the face. Imam Husain pulled the arrow out of his face and as he was wiping the blood, he kept saying; “O Allah Most High punish those who are doing these evil things to the grandson of your beloved Prophet. Punish those who are using force against me.” Later, Shimar got ten of his men and went towards Imam Husain’s tent. Imam Husain admonished them saying, “Don’t you have any shame? Are you not afraid of the Hereafter? Have you lost all sense of humanity? Tell your men not to harm the women and children.” When noone answered him, Imam Husain picked up his sword and started to fight. Shimar had with him Abdur Rahman bin Jofee, Qasam bin Nazeed Jofee, Sahleh bin Wahhab, Sinan bin Ans Nakhee, Khowlah bin Yazid Asbahee, and he shouted to them to surround Imam Husain, and kill him.

When they tried to surround Imam Husain, he attacked them and they all fell to the ground. In the end they all attacked him simultaneously. Even then Imam Husain fought them off. While this was happening, Sayyiduna Zaineb (Imam Husain's sister) came out of her tent to see what all the commotion was about. When she saw that her brother was being attacked, she looked up towards the sky saying, "O sky, why don't you fall down on the earth when they are attacking Imam Husain?" She saw Umar bin Sa'd and said to him, "Ibn Sa'd, my brother Husain will be martyred before your very eyes. Do you not have any shame?" Upon hearing this Umar bin Sa'd's eyes filled with tears and they rolled down into his beard. He had nothing to say in his defence and turned away from Sayyiduna Zaineb. Imam Husain continued fighting, determined not to surrender to those who had marked the beginning of Monarchism in Islam.He said to them, "You are hungry for my blood. I swear by Allah Most High that Allah Most High will not be pleased with you. Allah Most High will punish you for my death and he will take revenge before you even realise that He has done it. And I swear by Allah Most High that if you kill me the doors of bloodshed will be opened on you, and there will be many killings amongst your people. Why? Because you are trying to kill an innocent person, and that is not permissible in Islam." When Imam Husain told them this, not one person answered him. Meanwhile, Imam Husain was still protecting himself in the fight. In the back of their minds all of the soldiers had the thought that they should not be the one to actually kill him. In their hearts they knew that he was the grandson of the Prophet (Sallal laho alhi wasallam) and nobody wanted to be the person remembered and cursed until the Day of Judgement for killing Imam Husain.

MARTYRDOM OF IMAM HUSAIN

Shimar shouted to his men, “How cowardly you all are? You cannot even kill an injured person. There are so many of you that if all of you were to throw one stone at a time he would be killed and buried. So what are you doing? Attack him at once and kill him instantly.” When Imam Husain heard that Shimar was urging the people to attack him, he said, “The prophecy of the Prophet has come true. The Prophet had said that he was looking at a white dog that was sniffing at the blood of his family.” The reason Imam Husain said this was because Shimar had leprosy.

When they heard this they started to attack. Some of them started to shoot arrows at Imam Husain. Zurah bin Sahreek Tamimi attacked Imam Husain on his right shoulder, causing him deep and serious wounds. After that Sinan bin Anas Nakhee threw a spear at Imam Husain. The sheer force made Imam Husain fall to the ground, and Khowla bin Yazid Asbahi came forward with the intention of cutting off Imam Husain’s head. At that time Imam Husain’s whole body was shaking. Sanan said to Khowla, “You get back, I will cut his head off.” He came forward and cut Imam Husain’s head and separated it from his body. They started to divide Imam Husain’s belongings amongst themselves. Baher bin Ka’b took Imam Husain’s shirt, Qais took Imam Husain’s shoes and Aswad Azdee took his sword. There were spear wounds , and forty-three sword wounds on Imam Husain’s body.Umar bin Sa’d ordered ten horsemen to ride over Imam Husain’s body at such a speed that the meat would be separated from the bones.

During the course of the battle 72 people had been killed from the opposite side, and 88 people had been martyred from Imam Husain’s side. Umar bin Sa’d led the funeral prayer for his deceased and buried them and left Imam Husain and his followers as they were.

According to the Islamic calendar, it was the time of the Friday prayer on the 10th of Muharram in 61 Hijrah when Imam Husain was martyred.

EVENTS AFTER MARTYRDOM

THE TENTS WERE ROBBED

After Imam Husain was martyred, the enemy took all of his belongings, and captured his injured horse. They went towards his tents on their camels and entered the tents of Imam Husain’s wife and the rest of the women and started to take whatever they could find. They even took the blankets, which were on Imam Husain’s wife, sister and daughters. Shimar bin Zil Jawshan saw that Ali bin Husain, the son of Imam Husain, who was sick at the time, was in the tent He looked much younger in appearance than he actually was. When Shimar saw him he said, “Kill him also.” Humaid bin Muslim stopped him and said “Are you trying to kill little children as well?” When he heard this he stopped himself from killing Ali. This is the same Ali who is well known as Zain-ul- 'Abidin. Zain-ul- 'Abidin and all the women were taken into custody.

Imam Husain’s wife, Rubab, her servants Uqba bin Saman and Murkah bin Samama Asdi were still alive. Zain-ul- 'Abidin, Imam Husain’s sister and his daughter were also alive, as servants were not killed at the time of war Shimar got Imam Husain’s head and called Khowla bin Yazid and Humaid bin Muslim Asdee and said, “Take this head and go to Kufa and inform Ibn Ziyad that we have cut off Imam Husain’s head as he had wished.” Night had already fallen when these reached Kufa, the house of the governor was locked.

Khowla took Imam Husain’s head to his house for the night. When he reached his house he told his wife that he had brought the head of Imam Husain. His wife said, “People bring back bags of money when they go away, and you have brought into our house the head of the grandson of our Prophet (sallal la ho alihi wasallam)? For this reason I am not going to speak to you” He then went into another part of the house and went to sleep. His wife reported that in the morning she saw a light (noor) flickering towards the sky from the tub where Imam Husain’s head had been placed, and fluttering white birds were surrounding it.

In the morning Khowla took the head of Imam Husain to Governor Ibn Ziyad and presented it to him on a platter. The governor had a small stick in his hand and he tapped it on the teeth of Imam Husain. Zaid bin al-‘Arqam, a companion of our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), was present at the governor‘s house. He said to Ibn Ziyad, “Do not tap your stick on those teeth. I have seen those teeth being kissed by our Prophet (sallalaho alihi wasallam) many times. Today you are hitting your stick on those same teeth” Ibn Ziyad said, “May Allah Most High curse you. If you were not an old man I would have your head cut off as well.” Zaid bin Al’Arqam stood up and said “How evil you are, you have martyred the grandson of Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).” Then he turned to the crowd and said “What kind of governor have you appointed that he is killing righteous people, curse on you all and on you Ibn Ziyad that you have made such a big mistake and you are not even ashamed of it.”

IMAM HUSAIN’S FAMILY TAKEN TO KUFA

The next day Shimar, who had captured all the women and Zain-ul- ‘Abidin and the two slaves, started to move them towards Kufa to bring them in front of Ibn Ziyad. When the women came out of their tents they could see in the distance that in the battlefield all the bodies were covered in blood and some were badly mutilated. They all screamed together and Sayyiduna Zaineb shouted “Ya Muhammad Ya Muhammad (O Muhammad O Muhammad), they have mutilated Imam Husain and he is lying there covered in blood.” She repeated the same words again and said, “Your daughters are shackled and prisoned. Your children have been martyred and their bodies are covered in dust.” When Sayyiduna Zaineb said this, even the enemy had tears in their eyes.

They were taken to the governor’s house in Kufa. Ibn Ziyad pointed towards Sayyiduna Zaineb and asked, “Who is she?” as he did not know who Sayyiduna Zaineb was. He asked two or three times. Someone answered and said, “This is Zaineb, Sayyiduna Fatimah’s daughter, the granddaughter of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).” Ibn Ziyad said to Zaineb “I thank Allah Most High that your brother, who was a liar, has been punished.” Zaineb said “I thank Allah Most High for giving us birth in the house of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), and for revealing the Holy Qur'an in our house. This world is only for a few days and you are wrong to think that we should be ashamed or embarrassed because in the Hereafter we will be the respected ones, and Allah Most High will punish those who are evil.” Ibn Ziyad said, “Did you not see how I killed all your relatives, and how I mutilated their bodies.” Zainab could not hold back the tears as she had witnessed these events before her own eyes and she began to weep.

Ibn Ziyad then looked at Zain-ul- ‘Abidin and and asked him who he was. He replied, “My name is Ali bin Husain.” Ibn Ziyad said, “Has not Allah Most High had Ali bin Husain killed yet?” When no reply came he said, “Why don’t you answer me, I heard that Ali bin Husain had been killed.” Zain-ul- ‘Abidin said “I had a brother called Ali Akbar and the people at Karbala martyred him.” Ibn Ziyad started to laugh and said, “Yes Allah Most High had him killed.” No one responded to this, so Ibn Ziyad said again, “Why don’t you speak?” Zain-ul- ‘Abidin said, “Allah Most High has said everyone must die no matter who they are.” Ibn Ziyad replied, “Are you from amongst them too?” Then he turned to one of his men and said, “He has grown up now so why don’t you kill him.” Zain-ul- ‘Abidin said, “If you kill me, look at all these women, who are they going to go to Madina with? They have no Mehram other than me who will go with them.” Sayyiduna Zainab could not hold her self back and started to cry again and hugged Zain-ul-Abidin and said, “Have your desires not been fulfilled yet? Why do you want to kill my last nephew as well? Do you not want to see any man alive? If you want to kill him then you have to kill me first. If you have any shame then do not kill him as he will go with us as a guardian to Madina.” Ibn Ziyad said, “I feel sorry for you but if I had really wanted to kill Zain-ul’Ahbedeen, I would kill both of you.”

MARTYR OF ABDULLAH BIN AFEEF

After this Ibn Ziyad ordered that all the people should be gathered together. One person stood up and called all the people and they gathered in the Mosque. Ibn Ziyad stood on the pulpit and gave a speech. In the speech he abused Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah Most High be pleased with him, and abused Imam Husain. Abdullah bin Afeef Azdee Waleabee was one of the companions of our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). He was a person who spent much of his time in the Mosque. When he heard this speech and the abuse that Ibn Ziyad was directing towards Sayyiduna Ali, he could not take it and said, “ O liar, your father was a liar too, how can you say such evil lies about Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah Most High be pleased with him. May Allah Most High send His wrath upon you. You have martyred the grandson of the Prophet, and you are talking like you have done a good deed.” Ibn Ziyad said, “Bring him to me.” Some of his men tried to bring him to Ibn Ziyad and there was a struggle. He ordered more of his men to arrest Abdullah. In the end Ziyad crucified Abdullah in the Mosque and he was also martyred.

PRISONER’S JOURNEY TO SYRIA

After the speech, ibn Ziyad ordered that the heads of Imam Husain, and some of the people who were martyred should be placed on top of long spears and taken around the streets of Kufa so everybody could see what had happened to the people who turned against the government. The next day he called all the women, Zain-ul-'Abidin and the two slaves and asked them to mount the camel’s bare backs and shackled everyone. He even made the women remove the veils from their faces so that the people could see them, and sent them all to King Yazid. Before they all arrived there Ibn Ziyad had sent the head of Imam Husain, so that the King could see for himself that he had obeyed his commands.

ZUHAIR BIN QAIS WENT TO YAZID

They were still on their way to Yazid when Zuhair went ahead to meet Yazid. Yazid asked him how he was. He replied, “I have come to you with some good news, Allah Most High has given us victory. Imam Husain and 18 of his close relatives and 60 of his friends and followers came towards Kufa. When we heard this we went to them as we thought they would create trouble; and we told them that either they swear allegiance to Yazid or we would have to go to war with them. They preferred to fight with us rather than compromise, so we had to get ready for war. When the sun came out we surrounded them from all sides. We attacked them with our swords, arrows and spears. They tried to save their lives by running here and there, in the trees, mountains and behind rocks; like pigeons would run if they saw a vulture. I swear by Allah Most High that their running and hiding did not make any difference and did not help them at all. Our sharp swords killed them and their bodies are lying there in the field with no clothes, or shade as we speak. If they have any shade it is the sun’s rays and if they have any clothes it is the soil, and the strong winds of the desert are throwing their bodies around. The only people who are looking on them and feeling sorry for them are the wild animals.”(1)

When Yazid heard this, his eyes filled with tears and he said, "I would have been pleased with you even had you not killed Imam Husain. May Allah's Most High wrath be upon Ibn Zaid who has done this to him. I swear by Allah Most High that if I were you I would have forgiven Imam Husain, may Allah Most High send his blessings on him." After saying this he became very quiet, and instead of giving him a gift, as it was customary to give the bearer of good news, he turned him away.

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THE FAMILY OF IMAM HUSAIN REACHED SYRIA

Meanwhile the prisoners including the women, Zain-ul‘Abidin and the two slaves reached Syria and were taken beforeYazid. Imam Husain’s head, which was still on a spear, and all the other heads which were on platters were brought before Yazid. There were a lot of people with Yazid. When Fatimah and Sakeena, the daughters of Imam Husain, saw their father’s head they could not hold back and screamed out and cried. After a little while when they had calmed down, they said to Yazid, “Is it fair to make the relatives of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) prisoners?” Yazid said, “Go and look in my house. The women in my house are mourning in exactly the same way that you are mourning.” Siyyidia Zainab, Fatima, and Sakeena and the other women went in the palace and saw that all the women were crying and mourning

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(1) I ask how Zuhair bin Qais claimed that he had good news for the King when Yazid himself cursed Ibn Ziyad who did all these bad things. And also at a later time Ibn Ziyad admitted that he had done a very bad thing. Zohar hid Imam Husain’s bravery and did not mention how courageous he and his followers were. Moreover, he did not mention anything about the three requests Imam Husain had asked for. May Allah Most High have his wrath upon him.

Zain-ul‘Abidin said, “If the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) saw us would he not release us?” Yazid said “yes he would,” Yazid then looked towards the people who were present and said to them, “Take off the shackles.” When they were all bought in front of Yazid, a person called Nu'man bin Bashir Ansar said, “Can you imagine what our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would have said if he had seen them like this as prisoners?” Yazid said, “You have spoken the truth. He would have been very unhappy.” He freed them all and had tents set up for them and gave them clothes and other necessary provisions.

THE FAMILY’S JOURNEY BACK TO MADINA

After a few days they started to make plans to leave for Madina. When they were departing for Madina, Nu'man bin Bashir appointed a pious person and said, “You go with the caravan and guide them in the journey making sure that they do not come to any harm.” Yazid compensated them for what had been taken from them and sent them on their way. As they were about to leave Yazid came up to Zain-ul ‘Abidin and said, “May Allah Most High’s wrath be upon UbayduLlah bin Ziyad, if I were there in his place I would have accepted the requests that your father mentioned, and I would have helped him as much as I could. But what Allah Most High wanted to happen has happened. If you ever require my help, write to me and I will try to fulfil your request.(1)

(1) Yazid was telling Zain-ul ‘Abidin and Sayyiduna Zaineb how sorry he was, but it was all a show and a false Sa'dness. At least he could have removed Ibn Ziyad from his post as governor, and the people who had helped martyr Imam Husain and his followers could have been punished. But he did not do any such thing.

Yazid then turned to the people who were travelling with them and said they must not be harmed or be given any trouble on the way. Zain-ul ‘Abidin, his aunt, his mother, his sisters and the rest of the crowd left for Madina. The guides and the helpers looked after them with respect and fulfilled their every need. They were looking after them so well not only because Yazid ordered them to do so, but also because they knew that these were the relatives of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). In this way the caravan reached Madina and they began to live in Madina in peace.

NAMES OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE MARTYRED IN KARBALA

Sulaiman reports that when Imam Husain was martyred his head and other people's heads were carried on spears towards Ibn Ziyad. The following people were martyred at Karbala, May Allah be pleased with all of them.

Abbas, Jaffer, Abdullah, Uthman, Muhammad, Abu Bak’r, Abdullah, Husain bin Ali, Abu Bak’r, Qasim, Hasan bin Ali, Oun, Muhammad, Jaffer Abdur Rahman, Abdullah, Abdullah bin Muslim, Muhammad bin Abee Sa'id. These are the close relatives i.e. son, brother, and nephews of Imam Husain who were martyred in Karbala.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER KARBALA?

Yazid changed the governor of Madina from Waleed bin Utbah, to Uthman bin Muhammad. When Uthman bin Muhammad reached Madina, he asked a small number of respected people to go to meet Yazid in Syria. Amongst the people were Abdullah bin Hanzalah, Abdullah bin Abee Amar, Munzeer bin Zubear. When they reached syria, Yazid respected them as a guest is supposed to be respected. He gave Abdullah bin Hanzalah a gift of 100,000 Dirhams, and gave the rest of them 10,000 Dirhams. When this caravan came back to Madina, the people of Madina asked Abdullah bin Hanzalah about the character of Yazid. He replied, “We come from a person who does not practice religion. He drinks alcohol and listens to music.” If there were any pious people there, they would gather the people and overthrow him. The people said, “We have heard that Yazid respected you and has rewarded you for your alleginace to him.” Abdullah said, “Yes he has, and I have taken the money so that I can buy weapons to fight against him.”

Because of this news, the people of Madina removed Uthman bin Muhammad from his post and his officials were prisoned. Abdullah bin Muti was appointed as the new governor. Uthman bin Muhammad wrote a letter to Yazid explaining everything. Upon reading the letter, Yazid prepared an army of 12,000 people and said to them “The people of Madina have broken their allegiance to me and have chosen a new governor, Abdullah bin Muti'. I want you to go there and bring Madina under my kingdom again.” He tried to make Umar bin Sa'id, the commander of these 12,000 men but he refused to be in charge. Then he asked UbayduLlah bin Ziyad. His repley was “In the beginning I listened to you and martyred Imam Husain but I do not want to make the same mistake again. I do not want to fight with the people of Madina or become a bad person in the sight of Allah Most High.(1)

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(1) The people who say that it was right to kill Imam Husain should read these words very carefully. Why would the person who had martyred Imam Husain say that he had committed a great error. The enemies of Imam Husain should really think hard at this point before saying or making these false accusations and claiming that Ibn Ziyad or Yazid acted lawfully under the Shari‘ah.

He then turned to Muslim bin ‘Uqbah Murri and said, “Do you want to become a leader of the army?” He agreed and said that he would, and if need be, fight with the people of Madina. They prepared to leave for Madina. Yazid went with them for a while giving guidance on what to do. Burning with rage, Yazid said, “When you reach Madina, tell the people that you will give them three days to re-instate the governor of Madina Make sure you obtain allegiance from them. And remember do not harm Ali bin Husain (who is known as Zain-ul ‘Abdin), because he has not taken any step against our government.”

ALL THE ROADS INTO MADINA WERE BLOCKED

When Muslim bin Uqbah reached Madina, he blocked all the entrances into the city and camped outside, so that noone could come to help the people of Madina. He then sent a messenger to Abdullah bin Muti' and the people of Madina telling them that if within three days they had not agreeed to the terms of the King, he was prepared to go to war with them, and he would take all their possessions.

WAR BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF MADINA AND THE SYRIAN ARMY

When Abdullah bin Muti' and the people of Madina received the message they replied that they were prepared to go to war. Upon hearing the response of the people of Madina, Muslim bin 'Uqbah attacked Madina with his army and martyred many people. He killed Abdullah bin Muti'’s seven sons in front of him and then killed Abdullah bin Muti'. Many people fled the town and went into the hills and others hid in their houses. He ordered his men to take all the possessions the people of Madina. They raped over a 1000 women. A group of the companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) were also martyred. They tied their horses in the Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) and allowed them to urinate and defecate inside it. For three days there was no call for prayers and congregational prayers were not said inside the mosque.(1)

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(1) Imam Darmi writes that Sa'id bin Musaib, who was a great student of the companions, reported that when he was in the mosque he did not know about the time of the prayers until from the grave of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) he heard the call for the prayer.

Darmi chapter Fasaeilun-Nabi (Allah bless him and give him peace)

Hafiz Ibn Taymiah writes that like Sa'id bin Musaib heard the call for prayer there are other people who heard the answer of their sallams from the grave of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).Kitab Iqtida us Siratal Mustaqeem page 373 by Hafiz Ibn Taimiya

Muslim bin 'Uqbah Murri made everyone pledge allegiance to Yazid. If anyone declined he would have them killed. This tragic event took place during 63 Hijra.

(1)

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(1) Hafiz Ibn Katheer writes that our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) has said that the person who fights with the people of Madina will melt like salt does in water, and the person who scares the people of Madina, Allah Most High will make them scared. And Allah Most High and his angels and the people’s curse be upon him. As in this Hadith it mention any one who causes a war with the people of Madina. Some scholars agree that it is permissible to send curse on Yazid. Imam Ibnul Jozee has written a whole book on this and has explained that to send the curse is permissible. But some scholars say people should not, as then some people would send curse on the companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). Tareek Ibn Katheer chapter on Karbala. This Hadith of Hafiz Ibn Katheer is in Bukahri, and Muslim in the chapter of Hajj.

After the ravage of the popel of, Muslim bin ‘Uqbah advanced towards Makkah, as guided by Yazid.