Al-Hajir
Al-Ḥājir (Arabic:الحاجر) was one of the way stations between Mecca and Kufa. In the Battle of Karbala, Imam al-Husayn (a) sent 'Abd Allah b. Yaqtar or Qays b. Muṣhir al-Saydawi with a letter to Kufa from this station.
Events
The word "Hajir" means "obstacle"; a place where water gathers. It is a way station between Mecca and Kufa before Khuzaymiya. In some sources it is called Hajiz.
In this station, Imam al-Husayn (a) wrote his answer to Muslim b. 'Aqil in a letter and sent it by 'Abd Allah b. Yaqtat or Qays b. Mushir al-Saydawi. Ibn Kathir says that Imam al-Husayn (a) said the sentence, "and our Shi'a humiliated us, now there is no pledge on them, so that anyone who wishes, would retreat." However, other sources considered this talk of Imam (a) to the way station of Zubala.
Text of the Letter
In the letter to Muslim b. 'Aqil, Imam al-Husayn (a) wrote his second letter to the people of Kufa and sent it by 'Abd Allah b. Yaqtar or Qays b. Muṣhir al-Saydawi. The text of the letter is as below:
- "In the name of Allah, the All-Compassionate, the Most Merciful; From Husayn b. Ali (a) to Muslims and brothers in religion. Peace be with you, indeed I praise the Lord, there is no one worthy of worship than Him. But then, surly, I received the letter of Muslim b. 'Aqil in which he reported about your good will and gathering to help us take back our lost rights. I have asked God to make our destiny good and give you best of rewards in this regards. I began to move from Mecca toward you on Tuesday, Dhu l-Hijja 8, Day of Tarwiya; so, when the person I sent reaches you, hasten in your affairs, because I will reach you in coming days. And the peace be with you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings."
References
- The material for writing this article has been mainly taken from جاجر in Faris WikiShia.