Anas b. al-Harith al-Kahili
 Darih of Imam al-Husayn (at right) a& the grave of martyrs of Karbala (at left)1 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anas b. al-Harith al-Kahili |
| Place(s) of Residence | Kufa |
| Death/Martyrdom | 61/680 |
| Burial Place | The Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) |
| Religious Information | |
| Presence at ghazwas | Battle of Badr, Battle of Hunayn |
| Known for | Transmitter of a hadith from the Holy Prophet (s) about the killing of Imam al-Husayn (a) in Karbala. |
Anas b. al-Ḥārith al-Kāhilī (Arabic:أنَس بن حارِث الکاهِلی) was among the companions of the Prophet (s) and among the Martyrs of Karbala. His father, Harith b. Nabih was also among the companions of the Prophet (s). He was the transmitter of a hadith from the Holy Prophet (s) about the killing of Imam al-Husayn (a) in Karbala.
As a Companion of the Prophet (s)
Anas was among the companions of the Prophet (s) and it is said that he participated in the battles of Badr and Hunayn.[1] His father, Harith b. Nabih was also among the companions of the Prophet (s) and among the Companions of Suffa.[2]
Anas was the transmitter of a hadith from the Prophet (s) which is mentioned in both Shia and Sunni sources. He said, "I heard from the Prophet (s) saying, 'Surely, this son of mine (i.e. Husayn (a)) will be killed in a land called Karbala; so, any one of you who sees that among you, should help him.'”[3]
Joining Imam al-Husayn (a)
According to al-Baladhuri, Anas lived in Kufa; but, to avoid engaging in the war, went out of Kufa. In Qasr Bani Muqatil, he heard about the conversation of Imam al-Husayn (a) and 'Ubayd Allah b. Hurr al-Ju'fi (who had gone out of Kufa for the same reason) and then came to Imam (a) and said,
"By God, I swear that I exited Kufa except that like 'Ubayd Allah b. Hurr, I disliked fighting with you or against you, but God guided my heart to help you and accompany you.”[4]
But, according to some other sources, he joined Imam (a) in Karbala.[5]
In the Event of Karbala
According to some sources, following the request of Imam al-Husayn (a) before 'Ashura, Anas went to 'Umar b. Sa'd to advise him. When he arrived at 'Umar, did not greet him with salam. 'Umar said, "Why didn't you say salam to me? Am I not a Muslim?” Anas said, "By God, I swear you are not a Muslim because you want to kill the son of the Prophet (s).” 'Umar hung his head [in shame] and said, "By God, I swear I know the murderer of Husayn (a) is in the [hell] fire, but there is no escape from the order of Emir 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad.”
Anas came back to Imam al-Husayn (a) and informed him of 'Umar's talk.[6]
On the day of 'Ashura, Anas asked for permission from Imam al-Husayn (a) and went to the battlefield and shouted the war cry as following:
"Tribes Kahil, Dawdan, Khandaf, and Qays 'Alyan all know that my tribe is a destroyer of all rivals; O companions! Be like a roaring lion Surely Al Ali (a) [family of Ali (a)] are followers of the All-Compassionate God and Al Harb [family of war] (Banu Sufyan) are followers of Satan.”[7]
After he killed some of the enemies, he was martyred. His name is mentioned in the Ziyara al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa (non-famous).
Notes
- ↑ Amīnī, Aṣḥāb Amīr al-Muʾminīn wa ruwāt ʿanh, vol. 1, p. 68.
- ↑ Ibn Ḥajar, al-Iṣāba, vol. 1, p. 693.
- ↑ Ibn Ḥajar, al-Iṣāba, vol. 1, p. 271; Ibn Shahrāshūb, Manāqib, vol. 1, p. 140.
- ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 175.
- ↑ Ibn Athīr, Usd al-ghāba, vol. 1, p. 123.
- ↑ Qundūzī, Yanābīʿ al-mawada, vol.3, p. 69.
- ↑ Ṣadūq, al-Amālī, p. 116.
References
- Balādhurī, Aḥmad b. Yaḥyā al-. Ansāb al-ashrāf. 1st edition. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr, 1417 AH.
- Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī, Aḥmad b. ʿAlī. Al-Iṣāba fī tamyyīz al-ṣaḥāba. 1st edition. Beirut: Dār al-Kutub al-ʿIlmīyya, 1415 AH.
- Qundūzī, Sulaymān b. Ibrāhīm. Yanābīʿ al-mawadat li-dhi l-qurbā. 2nd edition. Qom: Uswa, 1416 AH.
- Ṣadūq, Muḥammad b. ʿAlī al-. Al-Amālī. 5th edition. Beirut: Aʿlamī, 1400 AH.