Karbala

Karbala (كَرْبَلَاء‎, romanized: Karbalāʾ; Persian: کربلا‎) or Kerbala is a city in central Iraq, located about 100 km (62 mi) southwest of Baghdad, and a few dozen miles east of Lake Milh. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorate, and has an estimated population of 700,000 people (2015). The city, best known as the location of the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, or the Mosques of Imam Husayn and Abbas, is considered a holy city for Shi'ite Muslims in the same way as Mecca and Medina.

62215

Karbala . Sunni-Shi'a . Yazid b. Mu'awiya . Imam Husayn

Who was the real killer of Imam Hussain (as) in Karbala? Was he from the Shia or was he a follower of Yazid?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answered 5 days ago

as salam alaikum

different sources depict Shimr Ibn Dhil-Jawshan and Sinan Ibn Anas as the killers of Husayn, peace be upon him. It is evident that both played a role in the killing although there may be some variations in the details of various reports. Both were fighting along the army of 'Umar Ibn Sa'd, sent by 'Ubaydullah Ibn Zayd, appointed by Yazid Ibn Mu'awiyah.

With prayers for your success.

61430

Karbala . Prostration (sujud) . Ziyarat Ashura . Turbah

While visiting Karbala I have seen Turba for sale that has Ziyarat-e-Ashura written on it. Is it permissible to prostrate on it given that it has something written on it?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 weeks ago

It is permissible to prostrate on a clay on which something is written, though it is much better to prostrate on plain clay ( Torbah) or Mohr or Sajdagah.

Wassalam.

60428

Karbala . Prostration (sujud) . Salah (Prayers)

Is it allowed to do Sajdah to Imam Hussain (as) in Karbala? If so, is it superior to praying five times a day?

No Sajda but only to Allah (SWT).

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and The Infallible Imams refused and forbade Sajda to them and said that Sajda is only to Allah (SWT).

We have many authentic Hadeeths on this fact.

The Sajda of the angles to Adam (AS) was in fact to Allah (SWT) who ordered the angles to do it.

Sajda in the shrines of Ahlu Bayt (AS) is in fact Sajda of Shokr (Thanking Prostration) , to thank Allah (SWT) who granted us he great bounty to reach and visit the shrines of Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.

58568

Hajj . Najaf . Karbala . Umrah . Ziyarat . Arba'een

I have done Hajj and also visited Najaf and Karbala once. Is it more meritorious now to visit Karbala on Arbaeen or to perform Hajj or Umra again?

Sayed Mohammad Saleh Qazwini, Sayed Mohammad Saleh Qazwini has a BA from the University of Michigan and an MA from Wayne State University. He is a graduate of the Islamic Seminary of Qom, Iran. Answered 2 months ago

We should not conflate the reward of the Ziyaras or Hajj. Performing one does not mean we should not perform the other. Hajj has its specific times and the Ziyara of Imam Hussayn has a specific time. If you can afford to perform both, that would be great. Keep in mind, those who perform Hajj will also have the opportunity to visit RasulAllah, FatimaZahra, and the Imams in Baqee'.

58335

Karbala . Imam Husayn . Al-Abbas ibn Ali . Hurr ibn Yazid . Ali al-Akbar b. al-Husayn

Is it true that Imam Husain (AS) did not allow his brother Abbas, his son Ali Akbar, and his companions such as Hurr to jointly face the army of Yazid? If so, for what reason?

We believe that every act of the Infallible is based on the complete wisdom which may not be available to us as our thinking is limited.

The wisdom behind the way of fighting the enemies in Karbala can be to avoid immediate collapse of the camp of Imam Husain (AS) looking at huge numbers of the enemies facing small number of believers.

It can be also to give more chances to the army of the enemies to reconsider their stand.

After all, the whole wisdom of that arrangements is with Imam Husain (AS) which aims definitely to serve the noble aims of Islam.

Wassalam.

58189

Karbala

How many women were present in Karbala and who were they?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 3 months ago

Bismihi ta'ala

The presence of women is a fundamental and important element of understanding the true philosophy of Karbala. As for the precise number of females in the camp of Imam Husain (a.s.) in Karbala, there is no exact consensus for this.

In one reference (al-nafas al-mahmum) it is said that there were twenty, being either wives, mothers or daughters.

Here are two links (in Arabic) that give detailed description of this analysis:

https://www.islam4u.com/ar/node/5769

http://www.alkawthartv.com/news/96260

With prayers for your success.

58197

Karbala . Imam Husayn

Why did Imam Husain (AS) decide to send his family and companions into battle one by one, rather than altogether, in order to fight Yazid's big and mighty army?

Bismihi ta'ala

The tragedy of Ashura' and the martyrdom of the companions and family members of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) did not extend for a long time, and within this short duration of the battle, the sad event enfolded quickly. Historians do mention the first who was martyred, and the last.

There were also common combating practices, like duel fights, but what made the tragedy more severe was that none of these fighting rituals were observed. In general, it was Imam Husain (a.s.) who granted permission for the companions and members of Ahlul Bayt (a.s) to fight.

And Allah knows best.

56432

Karbala . Martyrdom

How many martyrs were actually there in the event of Karbala? Why did the figure of 72 become popular when other figures are also mentioned in history?

The narrations regarding history matters are usually different, that is why you find in matters of history, deferent opinions. The most famous opinion among the historians that the number of the martyrs of Karbala is 72 martyrs.

We have other narrations in some books suggesting different numbers.

Wassalam.

51033

Wives of Prophet Muhammad . Children . Karbala . Imam Ali

How many wives and children did Imam Ali have and which of them were present in Karbala?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 3 months ago

According to Shaykh al-Mufid (Kitab al-Irshad):

The Commander of the Faithful, peace be on him, had twenty-seven children, male and female:

1. Al-Ḥasan

2. Al-Ḥusayn

3. Zaynab the elder

4. Zaynab the younger, who was given the kunya Umm Kulthūm.

Their mother was Fāṭima, the blessed, mistress of the women of the worlds, daughter of the master of those sent by Allāh and the seal of the prophets, the Prophet Muhammad.

5. Muḥammad, who was given the kunya Abū al-Qāsim. His mother was Khawla, daughter of Ja‘far b. Qays al-Ḥanafī.

6. ‘Umar

7. Ruqayya They were twins.

Their mother was Umm Ḥabīb, daughter of Rabī‘a.

8. Al-‘Abbās

9. Ja‘far

10. ‘Uthmān

11. ‘Abd Allāh

(The last four) were martyrs with their brother al-Ḥusayn on the plain of Karbalā’. Their mother was Umm al-Banīn, daughter of Ḥizām b. Khālid b. Dārim.

12. Muḥammad, the younger, who was given the kunya Abū Bakr.

13. ‘Ubayd Allāh

Both of these were martyrs with their brother al-Ḥusayn on that plain. Their mother was Layla, daughter of Mas‘ūd al-Dārimī.

14. Yaḥyā

His mother was Asmā ̓, daughter of ‘Umays al-Khath‘amī, may Allāh be pleased with her.

15. Umm al-Ḥasan

16. Ramla

The mother of these two was Umm Sa‘īd, daughter of ‘Urwa b. Mas‘ūd al-Thaqafī.

17. Nafīsa

18. Zaynab, the youngest

19. Ruqayya, the younger

20. Umm Hānī ̓

21. Umm al-Kirām

22. Jumāna, who was given the kunya Umm Ja‘far.

23. Umāna

24. Umm Salama

25. Maymūna

26. Khadīja

27. Fāṭima

These, the blessings of Allāh be on them, had different mothers. Among the Shī'a, there are those who mention that Fāṭima, the blessing of Allāh be on her, after the Prophet had a miscarriage with a son, whom the Prophet, may Allāh bless Him and His Family, had (already) named during her pregnancy as Muḥsin.

According to this group there were twenty-eight children of the Commander of the Faithful, the blessing and peace of Allāh be on him. Allāh knows and judges best.

(End quotation from Kitab al-Irshad)

55339

Karbala . Imam Husayn . Horse

Is it true that the horse of Imam Hussein (as) that died in the battle of Karbala was a gift from the Prophet (pbuh)?

Yes. This is mentioned in some books of history.

Wassalam.

54819

Karbala . Imam al-Hasan

Is it true that after the battle of Karbala there were no surviving sons of Imam Hassan (as)?

Not true.

Al-Hasan Ibn Al-Hasan who is known as Al—Hasan Al-Muthanna was injured in Karbala but was taken by Asmaa’ Ibn Kharija al-Fizari to Kufa and was treated there then went back to Madina. He was looking after the charities left by Imam Ali ( AS ) in Madina.

51190

Hajj . Umrah . Karbala

Is it true that if someone can’t perform Hajj or Umrah, they can visit Karbala and it will be accepted as if they performed Hajj?

Obligatory Hajj is Must on every Muslim who can perform it and no other worship can replace it. Visitation to Karbala is very great but not in stead of obligatory Hajj.

Visitation of Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala is greater in reward than recommended Hajj and Umra.