Third Noor Sayyidush Shuhada Sibt-e-Rasool Hazrat Sayyiduna Imam Husain RadiaAllahu anhu

Third Noor Sayyidush Shuhada Sibt-e-Rasool Hazrat Sayyiduna Imam Husain RadiaAllahu anhu

HIS POSITION IN THE SILSILA : Sayyidush Shuhada, Sibt-e-Rasool, Hazrat Sayyiduna Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu is the third Sheikh of the Silsila Aaliyah Qaaderiyah Barakaatiyah Razviyah Nooriyah.

GLORIOUS BIRTH : Hazrat Sayyidina Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu is the beloved son of Sayyiduna Ali and Bibi Faatima (ridwaanullahi ta aala alaihim ajmaeen) and the most beloved grandson of Aqaa-e-Do Aalam Noor-e- Mujassam Hazrat Ahmad-e-Mujtaba Muhammad Mustafa Salallahu alaihiwasalam.

 Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu was born on the 5th of Shabaanul Muazzam in the year 4 Hijri.

After his birth, his milk mother was Ummul Fadhl bint Haaritha, the wife of Hazrat Abbas bin Abdul Mutallib (radi Allahu anhum). The Holy Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam gave the Azaan in his right ear and the takbeer (Iqaamat) in his left ear. The beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam. then placed his blessed saliva into the mouth of Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu and made dua for him. On the seventh

day, he was named Hussain and his Aqeeqa was made. The Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam commanded Bibi Faatima RadiaAllahu anha to remove his hair and to give silver in charity equivalent to the weight of the hair as it had been done for Imam Hassan RadiaAllahu anhu. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu was blessed with numerous titles, such as, Abu Abdullah, Sayyidush Shuhada, Sibt-e-Rasool Sibt-e-Asfar,

Rasheed, Zakee, Mubaarak and Raihaanatur Rasool.

HIS FEATURES : Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu was without doubt a very handsome personality. From his chest up to his blessed feet, he was the picture of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam, whereas his elder brother Hazrat Imam Hassan RadiaAllahu anhu was the image of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam.

from his head up to his chest. His was so handsome and radiant, that anyone who saw him was lost in his beauty. His blessed face was so bright, that it would even shine in the darkness of night.

HIS EDUCATION : Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu was groomed in the blessed court of the Beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam. He was taught by the Beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam,

Bibi Faatima Zahra and Sher-e-Khuda Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhum).The Beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam loved Hazrat Imam Hussain  RadiaAllahu anhu. dearly, due to his piety and pure heart. The Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam was also aware, that the time would come,when his beloved grandson would save the Ummah from destruction at the hands of a corrupt and tyrant leader. He knew that Imam Hussain  RadiaAllahu anhu will uphold the flag of Islam and that he will steer the great ship of Islam clear

from the storm of fitna.

HIS BLESSED CHARACTER : Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu. was a very kind, gentle, generous, merciful, and Allah fearing personality. He always cared for the poor and oppressed, he assisted the helpless, he gave comfort to those in pain and in sorrow and he showed great love and affection

towards orphans. He was the embodiment of the character of his grandfather Sayyiduna Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam and of his parents Sayyiduna Ali and Bibi Faatima (radi Allahu anhum). Whenever a beggar came to his home, he always cared for him and spoke to him with kind words. There were times, when there was only enough food in his home to feed one person, but if a beggar came to his home, he would feed this to the beggar and would remain hungry himself. Subhaanallah! This was the shaan of the

beloved grandson of Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam. He could not bear to see another Muslim go hungry, but he was prepared to sleep without a meal. Once, Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu.

had joined some of his visitors to partake in a meal with them. One of his servants brought out a bowl of soup. As he walked into the room, he tripped and dropped the bowl. The bowl fell to the ground and broke and the soup spilled onto the blessed face of Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu. The servant was very afraid that he had insulted the grandson of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam by dropping the bowl. Hazrat Imam Hussain  RadiaAllahu anhu looked towards him and he trembled in fear and asked Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu not to be angry. Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu replied by saying, “I have consumed my

anger.” The servant then spoke about forgiveness and Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu said, “I have forgiven you.” The servant then said, “Allah loves those who are kind” and Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu said, “I have freed you for the pleasure of Allah.” Subhaanallah!

HIS EXCELLENCE : Once, Hazrat Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (radi Allahu anhum) wrote some words in calligraphy on a blackboard. After they had completed writing, they both told each other that their

writing was better. They could not come to an agreement about whose writing was better, so they took their work to Hazrat Ali RadiaAllahu anhu  . and asked him to make the decision. Hazrat Ali RadiaAllahu anhu Looked at their work, and asked them to take their work to their mother Bibi Faatima RadiaAllahu anha. She looked at their work and said that the best person to make such a decision was their beloved

grandfather Sayyiduna Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam . Both brothers then went to the court

of the Beloved Rasool Salallahu aliaihiwaslam. The Beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwsalam looked at their work and said, “This decision will be made by Hazrat Jibraeel Ahle salaam.” Immediately, Sayyiduna Jibraeel Ahle salaam appeared and said, “O Prophet of Allah! This decision shall be made by Almighty Allah.” Thus, Almighty ALLAH commanded Jibraeel Ahle Salaam to take an apple from Jannat and to drop it over their boards. The best piece of work will be that on which the apple will fall. Hazrat Jibraeel Ahle Salaam then did as commanded, dropping the apple over the writing boards. Subhaan Allah! The apple fell and split into two equal pieces, half on the board of Imam Hassan and half on the board of Imam Hussain (radi Allahu anhum). This showed that both of their calligraphic writing was equal. Subhaan Allah! Such excellence has been bestowed upon the grandchildren of the Beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam that the decision concerning their writing is even made in the Divine Court of Almighty Allah. What more can be said about the excellence of Hazrat Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (radi Allahu anhum)?

ANGELS FOR PROTECTION : On one instance, Hazrat Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (radi Allahu anhum) had gone outside for a long time. Bibi Faatima Zahra RadiaAllahu anha became very worried. She was still thinking about where the children might have gone, when the Beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam arrived at her home. Bibi Faatima Zahra RadiaAllahu anha immediately said, “Ya Rasoolallah . Salallahu alaihiwasalam Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain cannot be found. They have gone out

and we do not know their whereabouts.” Just then, Hazrat Jibraeel Ameen descended and said, “Ya Rasoolallah Salallahu alaihiwasalam tere is nothing to worry about. Both the children are at a certain place and Almighty Allah has appointed Angels to protect them.” On hearing this, the beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwsalam went to the spot that Jibraeel Ahle salaam had pointed out. The Beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam saw that both Hazrat Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (radi Allahu anhum) were resting and an Angel had one of his wings under them and was shading them with his other wing. The Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam kissed both of them and carried them home to Bibi Faatima RadiaAllahu anha.

HIS GENEROSITY : Once a Bedouin presented himself in the Darbaar of  Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu and said, “I heard your beloved grandfather say that when you are in need of anything, then you should request this from one of four persons, either from a pious Arab; or from a pious master; or from a Haafizul Quraan; or from a very graceful person, and (O Imam) all these four qualities are found in you in the highest form. The reason for this, is that if the entire Arabia received piety, it is through your blessed family, and generosity is your beautiful quality and as for the Quraan, then this was revealed in your home and Concerning your gracefulness, then, I heard your beloved grand father say, ‘If you wish to see me, then look at Hassan and Hussain.’”

Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu listened to his words and then said, “I heard my beloved grandfather Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam saying, ‘Piety is according to ones knowledge’ I will thus ask you three masalas (religious questions) I have with me this bag. If you answer one question I shall give you one third of

what is in this bag, if you answer two, then I shall give you half of what is in this bag and it you answer all the questions, then I shall give you all of what is in the bag.” 

The Bedouin was very pleased and requested Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu to present the questions. He asked, “Which action is the most exalted amongst all actions?” The Bedouin answered, “To bring faith in

Allah” 

Hazrat Imam Hussain then asked, “What protects a servant from destruction?” He answered, “In having complete trust (faith) in Allah.”

Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu then asked, “What is that through which a servant attains his splendor?” He answered, “By Knowledge which is accompanied with good deeds.” He asked, “And if one does not have this quality” He answered, “He should have that wealth in which there is generosity.” Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu said, “And what if he does not have such wealth?” He said He should be patient in his poverty.

The Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu said, “And what if someone is not in such poverty (where he is patient)?” He said, “Then, he should be struck by a bolt of lightning” On hearing these answers, Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu smiled and gave him the entire bag.

ANOTHER INCIDENT RELATING TO HIS GENEROSITY: Once Hazrat Imam Hassan, Imam Hussain and Hazrat Abdullah ibn Jaafar (radi Allahu anhum) had gone together on Hajj. On their way, the camel which was carrying their food, water and belongings went astray and was left far behind. They came to a shack belonging to a very old woman. All three of them went over to the shack and told the woman that they were very thirsty and asked if she could spare them something to drink. The old woman kindly milked her goats and presented the goats milk for them to drink. They then kindly asked if she had anything for them to eat. The old woman said that the food was not prepared but if they wished to wait, she would

slaughter the goat and cook it for them. They thus agreed to wait. The goat was slaughtered and the old woman cooked a delicious meal. All of them happily partook in the meal that the old woman had prepared. After partaking in the meal, the three of them now continued on their journey. On leaving, they informed the old woman that they were of the Quraish tribe and they invited her to visit them in Madinah, so that they may return her generous favor. Her husband came home later that day and found that she had cooked the goat. He was very angry that she had fed the goat to people she did not even know. 

Some time passed, and both the old woman and her husband became very poor. They travelled to Madinah Munawwarah, where they earned very little money gathering and selling camel droppings. Once whilst she was walking in Madinah Shareef, Hazrat Imam Hassan RadiaAllahu anhu spotted her. He immediately went up to her and asked if she recognised him. The old woman said that she could not recognise him. Imam Hassan RadiaAllahu anhu explained to her that he was amongst those who stopped at her shack

and partook in a meal which she provided for them. On hearing this, she was very pleased, and informed Imam Hassan RadiaAllahu anhu of her situation. Hazrat Imam Hassan RadiaAllahu anhu took her to his home and gave her one thousand goats and one thousand dinars in cash. He then asked his servant to take her to the home of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu asked her what his brother had given her, and he too blessed her with one thousand goats and one thousand dinars. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu then asked his servant to take her to the home of Hazrat Abdullah ibn Jaafar RadiaAllahu anhu  He was very pleased to see her and asked what both Imam Hassan and Hussain (radi Allahu anhum) had given her. She replied that all together, they had given her two

thousand goats and two thousand dinars. On hearing this, Hazrat Abdullah ibn Jaafar RadiaAllahu anhu gave her two thousand goats and two thousand dinaars. The old woman was now very pleased, and took the four thousand goats and four thousand dinaars and went to her husband. She presented these to him and said, “This is a gift from that generous family to whom I had fed one goat.”

HIS TOLERANCE & PATIENCE : None can ever doubt the patience and the tolerance of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . The fact that his martyrdom had been foretold by the beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam and that even though he was aware of this, he still made sabr and waited for the Will of Allah to take its course. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu was also blessed with bravery from his family.

Being the son of Asadullah (The Lion of Allah) Hazrat Ali RadiaAllahu anhu , his bravery was obvious. He showed his bravery and fearlessness on many occasions particularly during the Battle of Karbala.

RASOOLULLAHS LOVE FOR HIM: The Holy Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam loved Hazrat Imam Hussain dearly. Hazrat Umar-e-Farouk RadiaAllahu anhu said, “Once, when I presented myself in the

court of Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam I saw that the Beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam was walking on his knees carrying Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu on his blessed back. When I saw this, I said, your mode of transport is most splendid. On hearing this, the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam replied: ‘O Umar! The passenger is also very splendid.’” [Kashful Mahjoob]

Ya’la bin Marwaa reports that the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam said, “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain. Whosoever has kept Hussain as his beloved, Allah is his beloved. Hussain is a grandchild from amongst grandchildren.” [Mishkaat Shareef]

Hazrat Bar’ra RadiaAllahu anhu says, “I saw that the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam used to carry Imam

Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu on his shoulders and say, ‘O Allah! I love him. You Love him too.’” [Mishkaat Shareef]

Hazrat Jaabir Ibn Abdullah RadiaAllahu anhu states, “I heard from the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam,

‘Whomsoever wishes to see the leader of Paradise, he should look at Hussain ibn Ali RadiaAllahu anhu.’”

AHADITH RELATING TO HIM: It is in Dalaaile Nabuiwat, that Ummul Fadhl bin Haaritha .

the wife of Hazrat Abbas ibn Abdul Mutallib once went to the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam and said, “Ya Rasoolallah! (Salallahu alaihiwasalam) tonight, I saw a worrying dream.” The Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam asked, “What was it?” She said, “It was a very worrying dream.” He Salallahu alaihiwasalam again asked, “What was it?” She then said, “I saw that a portion of your flesh was cut off from your Blessed Body and placed in my lap.” The Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam said, “This is a good dream that you have seen. Insha Allah, a son will be born to Bibi Faatima RadiaAllahu anha and he will be given in your care.” Ummul Fadhl says, “Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu was born to Bibi Faatima RadiaAllahu anha and was given in my care.”

She says, “Once I took him to Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam and gave him in the hands of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam . I had turned away for a while, and when I looked again, I noticed tears falling from the blessed eyes of Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam .I then said, Ya Rasoolallah Salallahu alaihiwasalam ! May my parents be sacrificed at your feet. What has happened? The Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam said, ‘Hazrat Jibraeel Ahle Salaam came to me and informed me that my Ummat will kill this child of mine.’ I said,

this child, and he said ‘yes, he also brought the red sand to me from the place where he (Hussain) will be martyred.’” Abu Nuaim narrated from Asbah. He says, “I was on a journey with Hazrat Ali RadiaAllahu anhu and we passed by Karbala. When we reached the plains of Karbala, Hazrat Ali RadiaAllahu anhu said,

‘This is where their camels will sit, This is where they will keep their belongings, This is were they will be martyred. They will be of the Family of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam and they will be martyred on these plains. The skies and the earths will weep on their martyrdom.’”

REASON FOR THE SHAHAADAT : On the demise of Hazrat Ameer Muawiyah RadiaAllahu anhu his son Yazeed assumed khilafat in the year 60 Hijri. Hazrat Ameer Muawiyah RadiaAllahu anhu is no doubt a Sahabi of the Holy Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam and a very beloved companion of Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam . He is also amongst those who was commanded to record the verses of the Holy Quran in written form. In other words he was “Kaatib-e-Wahiy-e-Nabuiwat” He had deep love for Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam . Today, there are those who call themselves Shias or shites. They are a corrupt sect. They slander Sayyiduna Ameer Muawiyah RadiaAllahu anhu and they even call great Sahaba like Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhum) disbelievers (Ma’az’ Allah). Their aim is to destroy the Imaan of the Sunni Muslims. They use the month of Muharram and the names of Hazrat Imam

Hassan and Imam Hussain (radi Allahu anhum) and the name of Bibi Faatima RadiaAllahu anha to trap the unsuspecting Sunni Muslims. Do not let such people play with your emotions. They are not the aashiqs of the Ahle Bait. They are the enemy of the Ahle Bait. Stay away from them and keep your wives and children away from them. How can we follow those who called great Sahaba like Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Umar (radi Allahu anhum) kaafirs (Maaz Allah)!

Yazeed sent letters to all the Muslims States requesting them to accept him as the leader of the Muslims (The Khalifa). He also sent a letter to the governor of Madinah, Waleed ibn Uqba, informing him that he should

command Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu to accept him as the Khalifa and take the oath of allegiance at his hands. This, Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu rejected. Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu rejected the bai’at of Yazeed because Yazeed was a faasiq, an alcoholic, and a tyrant.

IMAM HUSSAIN GOES TO MAKKAH : It is for this reason, that Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu left Madinah and travelled to Makkah on the 4th of Shabaan and began to live in Makkah. When the people of Kufa heard this, they began to send scores of letters to Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . In their letters, they told him that they were not prepared to accept Yazeed as the Khalifa and they were prepared to sacrifice everything and take the oath of allegiance at the hands of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . Many companions of the beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam advised Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu against this, as the disloyalty of the people of Kufa was very well known. The very same people of Kufa were the ones who claimed to be the followers of Hazrat Ali RadiaAllahu anhu yet they were the very people who turned against him. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu listened carefully to their advice, but he still decided that it was important to go to Kufa. He felt that if he did not heed their call, then he would have not fulfilled his responsibility towards the Ummah. The companions then advised him that he should first send a representative to Kufa. The representative should assess the situation in Kufa. If he found that the people of Kufa were sincere and the conditions were favourable, then the great Imam would decide whether to go to Kufa or not. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu accepted this advice from his companions and it was agreed that his cousin, Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu would go as the representative to Kufa.

HAZRAT MUSLIM IN KUFA : Hazrat Imam Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu thus went to kufa as the representative of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . He was accompanied by his two young sons on this journey. When he arrived in Kufa, he stayed at the home of Mukhtar bin Ubaid. When the people of

Kufa heard of his arrival, they came in huge groups and took Baiat on his hands as the representative of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . Some narrations have said that approximately twelve thousand people took the oath of allegiance at the hands of Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu . When Sayyiduna Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu saw the sincerity of the people, he immediately wrote to Imam

Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu informing him of this, and requesting him to come to Kufa.

YAZEEDS PLAN : Yazeed heard of the situation in Kufa and how the people of Kufa had taken baiat (oath of allegiance) at the hands of Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu and were waiting with great anticipation for the arrival of Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . Yazeed immediately convened a sitting of his advisors and asked their opinion. The corrupt advisors advised him as he wished they would. They said that Numan bin Basheer who was the governor of Kufa was sympathetic to the Ahle Bait and should thus be removed. They also advised that a very hard person should replace him, if not the entire region of Iraq would be in the control of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu and this would be detrimental to Yazeeds empire. After their discussion, they agreed that the person best suited for the position as governor of Kufa, was Ibn Ziyaad. A letter was immediately sent to ibn Ziyaad, who at that time was the governor of Basra. He was asked to immediately take over control of Kufa by relieving Numan bin Basheer of his duties. He was also commanded to kill Imam Muslim RadiaAllahu anhu and all those who supported him. He was

further commanded that when Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu arrived in Kufa, he should be asked to accept Yazeed as the Khalifa. If he refused, then he too should be killed like the others (Allah forbid). On receiving his orders, ibn Ziyaad appointed his brother as his deputy in Basra and left for Kufa. He came to

Qaadsia, where he left his army and took a few people with him. He dressed himself in the garb of the people of Hijaaz and covered his face. He entered Kufa between Maghrib and Esha. The people of Kufa, on seeing a person dressed in a Hijaazi garb arriving thought that it was Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu  They welcomed him into Kufa and were very pleased on his arrival. That morning, Ibn Ziyaad relieved Numan bin Basheer of his duties and personally took control of the Government building of Kufa. Ibn Ziyaad

delivered his speech early the next morning to the people of Kufa and warned them against joining with Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . He captured the leaders of Kufa and held them hostage. Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu called on the people of Kufa for assistance and narrations say that approximately

forty thousand people accompanied him to the government building. By now ibn Ziyaad had placed the leaders of Kufa on the roof top of the building and threatened to kill them if they did not leave Imam Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu Within a short while, not one person from the forty thousand was with Imam Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu . The people of Kufa had again shown their disloyalty to the Ahle Bait of Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam . 

Hazrat Imam Muslim RadiaAllahu anhu was later taken by the soldiers of Ibn Ziyaad and made shaheed. Inna lillaahi wa inna ilaihi Raajioon. Later, even the children of Imam Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu were made shaheed. These were two young children who accompanied their father, thinking that they were

journeying to a place that was filled with true followers of the Ahle Bait.

IMAM HUSSAIN DEPARTS FOR KUFA : On receiving the letter of Imam Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu , Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu departed from Makkah for Kufa. When this group of the Ahle Bait departed from Makkah on their way towards Kufa, every person and every child stood watching them with sadness as they left. Their eyes filled with tears and their hearts heavy with sadness. On his way, he received news of the martyrdom of Imam Muslim bin Aqeel RadiaAllahu anhu  . and his children. He was also informed of the betrayal of the people of Kufa. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu was very sad when he heard this news and read Inna lillaahi wa inna ilaihi Raajioon. He then comforted the family members and gave them hope. When the Ahle Bait reached a place called Thaalba, Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu rested for a while. He awoke with tears in eyes. His beloved sister, Sayyida Zainab  . RadiaAllahu anha asked the reason for this, and he said, “I dreamt of our grandfather, Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam. The Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam was crying and he said O Hussain! You are soon to come and meet with me.” On hearing this, Hazrat Ali Akbar RadiaAllahu anhu the son of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu said, “O my Dear Father! Are we not on Haq (Truth)?”

Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu said, “Verily we are on Haq and Haq is with us.” Then Hazrat Ali Akbar  RadiaAllahu anhu said, “Why then should we fear death, O my father? We all must pass from this world one day. I am seeing the gardens of Shahaadat and a mansion better than that of the world and bounties even

greater than that of this world are before us.”

SABR (PATIENCE) OF THE AHLE BAIT : Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu and the members of the Ahle Bait reached the plains of Karbala on the second of Muharram, 61 Hijri, and pitched their tents beside the River Euphrates. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu then delivered a lecture to the Ahle

Bait, He said, “Be patient on my hardships. When I am martyred, you must not hit and pull on your faces and neither should you tear your clothes. O my sister Zainab! You are the daughter of Faatima Zahra RadiaAllahu anha Like she made sabr when the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam left this world, you too must be patient on my demise.”

RIVER EUPHRATES SEALED OFF : Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu and the rest of his Ahle Bait and companions remained in their tents. On the seventh of Muharram, the army of ibn Saad, who was appointed the commander of the army, against Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu sealed of the river Euphrates to the

Ahle Bait. This army consisted of many of those who earlier claimed to be Followers of Hazrat Ali RadiaAllahu anhu and followers of Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . Ibn Saad then asked Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu to remove his tents from beside the river Euphrates. Hazrat Abbas RadiaAllahu anhu rejected this command of Ibn Saad, but Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu  explained that the Ahle Bait should be patient. Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu then had the Ahle Bait remove their tents and pitch them at another spot.

DEEDAR-E-NABI Salallahu alaihiwasalam  On the eve of the tenth of Muharram, Imam

Hussain .made ibaadat for the entire night. In the third portion of the night, he became drowned in the remembrance of Allah. In this condition, he saw the beloved Rasool Salallahu alaihiwasalam with an army of Angels. The Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam took him in his arms like a child and said, “O the comfort of my heart! O the light of my eyes! O my Hussain! I know very well that the enemy have confronted you and they wish to martyr you. My Dear Son! You must let this time pass by being patient and making shukr. All those

responsible for your martyrdom shall be deprived of my intercession on the day of Qiyaamat, and you are to receive the very great status of martyrdom. In a very little while, you will be freed of this difficult time.

My Dear Son! Paradise has been adorned for you. Your parents are waiting your arrival at the doors of Jannah.” On saying this, the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam placed his blessed hand on the chest and head of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu and made the following dua : ‘O Allah! Bless my Hussain with patience and its reward’”

IMAM HUSSAIN REASONS WITH THE ENEMY : When Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu realised that the Yazeedis were now intent on doing battle, he tied the Turban of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam 

and took in his hand Zulfikaar, the sword of Sayyiduna Ali RadiaAllahu anhu . He rode towards their camp and said, “O People of Iraq! You know very well that I am the grandson of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam , the son of Bibi Faatima RadiaAllahu anha , the beloved of Sayyiduna Ali RadiaAllahu anhu and the brother of Hazrat Imam Hassan RadiaAllahu anhu . Do you recognise my Turban, Armour, sword and camel? Do you recognise who they belong to? Up to this day, the Christians show respect to the belongings of Esa Ahle Salaam , and the Jews show respect to the footprint of Moosa Ahle Salaam. All the followers of the past religions have shown respect to the relics that have been attributed to their Prophets (peace be upon them all). I am the grandson of your Nabi Salallahu alaihiwasalam . I am the son of Ali Sher-e-Khuda. If you do not want to be of assistance to me, then do not be the cause of my martyrdom. For

what reason have you sealed of the river to my family? Have I murdered anyone from amongst you? Have I usurped the property belonging to any one of you, for which you are taking revenge? It is you that invited me to come here, and yet this is the way you behave with me. O People of Kufa! You are very well aware of my genealogy, to which there is no equal on earth today. You are the ones that sent letters to me, asking me to come to Kufa. Now, why have you become thirsty for my blood. There, look at the letters which you have sent to me.” Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu then showed the letters to the people of Kufa. They rejected that the letters were sent by them. When Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu saw their betrayal, he said, “Alhumdulillah! I have fulfilled my responsibility of reasoning. Now there is no need to reason with you again.”

THE TENTH OF MUHARRAM : The enemy then attacked the camp of the Ahle Bait, and thus began the battle of Karbala. One after the other, the members of the Ahle Bait and the companions of Sayyiduna Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu entered the Battle field. Each one made Jihad against the enemy until he

was made shaheed. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu then prepared for battle. He was now ready to enter the battle field. Just then, he saw standing before him, Hazrat Imam Zainul Abideen RadiaAllahu anhu . He was the son of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu and could not go into battle because he was very ill. He said, “O my beloved father! How can you go into battle whereas I am still alive. Permit me to go into the battle field like the other members of the Ahle bait. I too want to attain the status of Shahaadat.” Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu said, “O My beloved son! Go into the tent of the Ahle Bait. Do not

insist on going into battle. Because of you, the Ahle Bait of Rasoolullah Salallahu alaihiwasalam will remain until the last day.” On hearing these words of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu , Imam Zainul Abideen RadiaAllahu anhu remained silent.

SHAHAADAT OF IMAM HUSSAIN : Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu entered

the battle field and one after the other, he sent the enemy towards the blazing fire of Hell. Seeing that they could not defeat him individually, the enemy attacked the great Imam in huge groups, firing arrows and launching spears at him. Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu fought with great bravery, sending scores of Yazeedis towards Hell. The offensive by the enemy was very powerful and soon, the blessed body of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu was pierced severely by arrows, spears and swords. One of the Yazeedis fired an arrow at the forehead of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu , which caused him to fall of his horse. It was

a Friday and the time of Jummah Salaah. Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu bowed his head in the Darbaar of Allah and Shimr the cursed, removed the blessed head of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . In’na lil’laahi wa in’na ilaihi Raaji’oon. The beloved grandson of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam.

had been martyred.

Those who claimed to be Muslims were responsible for the martyrdom of  the grandson of their Nabi Salallahu alaihiwasalam . Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu had sacrificed his life for the sake of Islam. Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu was martyred on a Friday, the 10th of Muharram 61 Hijri. Even in such a difficult time, Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu did not leave his Salaah. He was made shaheed whilst in sajda.

Dear Brothers and Sisters! we should learn from the shahaadat of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu . Firstly we should learn never to accept a corrupt and unjust person as our leader and secondly we should learn how important it is to perform our Salaah.

AFTER KARBALA : After the battle of Karbala, Imam Zainul Abideen RadiaAllahu anhu and the female members of the Ahle Bait were taken to Kufa. They were then sent back to Madinah Shareef on the authority of Yazeed. After the Battle of Karbala many amazing incidents occurred which the learned

Ulama have quoted in many of their books. Some of them are being quoted for your perusal:

1. Hazrat Ibn Abbas reports, “One night, I dreamt of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam .I saw that the blessed hair of the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwsalam was uncombed and covered with dust. It was around noon. In his hand, the Prophet Salallahu alaihiwasalam had a bottle which was filled with blood. I asked, ‘Ya Rasoolallah Salallahu alaihiwasalam ! What is this?’ He replied, ‘This is the blood of Hussain and his companions, and I have been gathering this since morning.’” Hazrat Ibn Abbas .says, “I remembered the day that I had this dream. When the news of Imam Hussains shahaadat arrived, I realised it was the same day on which I had the dream.” [Baihaqi -Haakim]

2. It rained blood after the Shahaadat of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu (Baihaqi)

3. Abu Nuaim narrates from Habib ibn Thaabit RadiaAllahu anhu . He said, I heard the Jinns reciting the following stanzas on the shahaadat of Imam Hussain.RadiaAllahu anhu 

“His forehead was kissed by the Nabi . And his blessed face glittered so beautifully His parents where the soul of the Quraishi Nation And his Grandfather is greater than all the creation.”

THE MONK : The Yazeedis carried the head of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu with them, when they left the Battle of Karbala. On their way, they passed a church. The Monk at the church paid the Yazeedis ten thousand dirhams to keep the head for one night. He washed the blessed head and kept it on his lap. He made ziyaarat of Imam Hussains RadiaAllahu anhu blessed head the entire night and saw the rays of mercy descending upon it. He cried out! “O grandson of the Prophet ! You are not dead. You are alive. I request that you bear witness to what I am saying, and that is, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad Salallahu alaihiwaslam is His  Messenger.” When morning came, the Yazeedis reclaimed the blessed head of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu from the monk. They also

claimed the ten thousand coins. When they opened the box of money, they found that the coins had turned to pieces of clay. On either side of the clay coins were verses of the Holy Quran which reminded the Yazeedis of their tyranny. All those that were responsible for the shahaadat of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu died very bad deaths. Both Shimr and Ibn Sa’ad were killed. Yazeed died a very bad death. It is said that he constantly remained drunk and dogs roamed around him. He was killed by a girl whom he tried to harm. 

GEMS OF WISDOM : Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu said the following gems of wisdom:

1. When people in need come to you, then think that this is the grace of Allah and fulfill their needs.

2. One who shows kindness will be a leader and one who is miserly will bedisgraced.

3. Think of splendor and piety as bounties and strive to achieve this veryquickly. 

MAZAAR SHAREEF : There are numerous narrations concerning this,but the most authentic narration is that the blessed body of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu is buried in Karbala and the blessed head of Imam Hussain RadiaAllahu anhu is buriedin Jannatul Baqi, close to Imam Hassan RadiaAllahu anhu and Bibi Faatima RadiaAllahu anha. 

May Almighty Allah bless us with true love for the Ahle Bait and we pray thatAlmighty Allah allows us to be risen amongst martyrs on the day of Judgement. Aameen

Extracted from
Tadhkira Mashaikh-e-Qadiriyah Barakatiya Ridawiyah