Arrival Of Caravan Al-Husayni In Karbala And Martyrdom
Now I would like to present before you the evening of the 10th Muhurram and I start with the Fajr Azan but I do not want to write the details about the events of the Ashura. 1
The 18 years old son of Imam Husayn (‘a), Ali Akbar called Azan for Fajr Prayer of 10th Muharram 61 Hijra and the battle started. By the time of Asr the whole family of Imam Husayn (‘a) had been subjected to oppression with the martyrdom of all male Members except the oppressed Imam, his two sons one suckling Ali Asghar and one sick Zayn al-Abidin, hungry and thirsty for three days and nights were there on burning sand2 of Karbala.
The Imam could not send his elder son (Ali Zayn al-Abidin) because he was very sick and was in a state of swoon. This was the will of Allah that one individual of prophet's family be alive for the continuity of lineage of the Prophet (S). And to prove the authenticity of Ayats of Surah Al-Kauthar.
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ-
“God revealed O Prophet (S)! I have blessed you Kauthar” (108:1).
فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
“so you keep praying for your Lord and offer sacrifices” (108:2).
إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ
“Surely, your enemy (and not you) will have no posterity” (108:3).
Abdul Aziz Sayyidal Ahal writes: “It was only Ali Ibn Husayn (‘a) who reached Madina alive. He had no protection but Allah, and he lived though they wanted to kill him too. Ibn Ziyad and his cohorts were upset how he escaped death. The enemy had been blinded towards him. He survived and the world came to realize that it was the sign of Allah3 and his benefaction4.
With the martyrdom of Husayn (‘a) the first part of God's “will” was completed and whatever was destined for Imam Husayn (‘a) came to an end5.
The sunset on the 10th of Muhurram 61th Hijra saw a battlefield soaked with blood and the scattered remains of the bodies of the progeny of the Prophet (S).
The day passed moon appeared and threw weak rays or light on the earth in which Bibi Zaynab (‘a) gathered the surviving children and ladies whose guardians were martyred and consoled them. Oh God! You are great but how “valiant” was Bibi Zaynab (‘a).
A little distance away ‘‘Umar Ibn Sa’d was counting the heads of the martyrs. The tents of the Imam were looted and set on fire. The battle field of Karbala was full of smoke adding to the darkness of Sham-e-Ghariban.
Bibi Zaynab looked at the scene and thanked Allah. She saw the prediction of the Prophet (S) came true. She will always be remembered as the “lion hearted lady of Karbala”, Oh Bibi Zaynab! Your name will remain alive and refulgent till eternity.
Beginning Of Jihad Of Bibi Zaynab
The caravan of oppressed ladies, children and sick Abid for Kufa departed and the test of endurance, courage and strength of Bibi Zaynab started.
The first night after the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (‘a) was horrible and severe. Enemies were all around. There was no friend nor sympathizer. In this dreadful night, the valiant daughter of Ali (‘a) had taken a broken spear in her hand and was patrolling around the burnt tents of the ladies and children of the Prophet's household. After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (‘a) Bibi Zaynab (‘a) had to shoulder great responsibility. 6
The night passed and in the morning Bibi Zaynab and the whole family of the Prophet was chained like prisoners and taken to Kufa to present them before the tyrant Ibn Ziyad.
When Bibi Zaynab had come to Karbala, the whole family was together, now all were slain. This was a great trial as the Qur'an had declared:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ
“And I will and will without fail test you with fear, hunger, wealth, your lives and loss of fruits (children) or any of these, (2:155).
وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ -الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
let those have the glad tiding, who have patience and endurance in the event of any of the above calamities befalling on them they unhesitantly would say that they are of Allah and have to return to Him”. (2:156).
The patience of Bibi Zaynab (‘a) in these trying circumstances was exemplary. Allama Rashidul Khairi has depicted the dreadful scene as follows:
“At the time when ‘Asr Prayer was going on in the mosque the trumpets of victory were sounded in the army of Yazid. Imam Husayn (‘a) and his companions were slain and the tents of the ladies of Prophet's household were set on fire”.
- 1. For detail "Nawasae Nabi Husayn Ibn Ali" by Syed Ali Akbar Rizvi.
- 2. That night of Karbala that dreadful darkness, death’s harshness, That thirsty God’s soldiers urging to die, That a sister gazing Husayn with tears in eye. Their enemies countless like sand in desert their friends were. Only 72 which is consultant of YAZDAN as per Numerology.
- 3. Recalling martyrdom of Husayn with grief I am in a state of swoon, My waist breaks in agony and body bends like Arabic letter "Noon" (Naseer Chilasi)
- 4. Abdul Aziz Sayyidal Ahal, “Imam Zayn al-Abidin”, translated by Abdul Samad Sarim Al Azhari, page 32.
- 5. O Fulfy contented self revert to me your Creator so much happy with you as you are with Him. Associate yourself in my pious servants and enter in to my paradise. Surah Al fajr (89) Ayat 27 to 30.
- 6. Amongst those who have faith in God are some such people who accomplished what covenant they had made to God and on them are some who paid their vows by death (in battle field) and some are waiting but none altered his commitment· (Surah Al-Ahzaab, 33:23).