Imam al-Husayn b. Ali (a): Difference between revisions

'''Al-Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib (a)''' (Arabic:{{inlineArabic| الحسين بن علي بن أبي طالب}}) (b. [[Sha'ban 3]], [[4]]/[[January 11]], 626 – d. [[Muharram 10]], [[61]]/[[October 10]], 680) also known as Abu 'Abd Allah and [[Sayyid al-Shuhada']], was the third [[Imam]] of the [[Shi'a]] who was martyred in the [[Battle of Karbala]] after 10 years of [[Imamate]]. He was the second son of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and [[Lady Fatima (a)]], and the grandson of the [[Prophet (s)]]

The imamate of Imam al-Husayn was simultaneous with the rule of Mu’awiya, who apparently respected the Imam (a) but, at the same time, took all measures to oppress the Shi’a. Imam al-Husayn (a) rebuked Mu’awiyah in several cases: He wrote Mu’awiya a letter, condemning him for the murder of [[Hujr b. Adi]]. In another occasion, When Mu’awiya introduced Yazid as his successor, Imam al-Husayn (a) refused to pay allegiance to him, calling him unfit for leadership, and proclaimed himself as the rightful leader of the ummah. The [[sermon of the Imam (a) in Mina]] can also be regarded as a political lecture against the Umayyads.  

After Mu'awiya died, Imam al-Husayn (a) refused to give [[allegiance]] to [[Yazid]] and considered his rise to [[caliphate]] as illegitimate. When al-Walid b. 'Utba, the governor of Medina, was sent to order Imam al-Husayn (a) to either pledge allegiance to Yazid or be killed, Imam al-Husayn (a) made his way from Medina towards [[Mecca]] on [[Rajab 28]], [[60]]/[[May 7]], 680. In the four months he stayed in Mecca, the people of [[Kufa]] sent [[Letters of People of Kufa to Imam al-Husayn (a)|many letters]] supporting the Imam (a) as their ruler. As the Imam (a) and his companions made their way to Kufa, the army of [['Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad]] stopped the Imam's caravan on Yazid's order. For fear of retribution from Yazid's army, the people of Kufa broke their promise of support for the Imam (a). The [[battle of Karbala]] took place on the [[Day of 'Ashura']]. Imam (a) along with his few companions (around [[Martyrs of Karbala|seventy-two]]) were martyred and the remaining companions were taken as prisoners to Kufa and [[Syria]].

There are different views as to the purpose of the Imam’s (a) journey from Medina to Karbala. Some believe that the Imam (a) intended to establish a government, but others hold that the Imam (a) merely wanted to protect his life.

The martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a) has had a deep impact throughout history on Muslims in general and on the Shi’a in particular; it has inspired various movements of resistance and revolts against oppressive rulers.  

Following the instructions of the Imams (a), visiting the shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) and the mourning ceremonies and rituals related to his martyrdom found a special place among the Shi’a, especially during the two months of Muharram and Safar.  

Imam al-Husayn’s (a) hadiths, letters, sermons, poems, and supplications are collected in ''[[Mawsu’at kalimat al-Imam al-Husayn]]'' (The Encyclopedia of Imam al-Husayn’s [a] Words) and in ''[[Musnad al-Imam al-Shahid]]'' (The Musnad of the Martyred Imam). Many works have also been produced about different aspects of his life and personality.  

Al-Husayn b. 'Ali b. Abi Talib b. 'Abd al-Muttalib b. Hashim was a [[Hashemite]] and from the [[Quraysh]] tribe. His father was [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] and his mother was [[Lady Fatima (a)]]. He is a grandson of the [[Prophet (s)]].<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Irshād'', vol. 2, p. 27.</ref> Imam al-Hasan (a), [[Abu l-Fadl al-'Abbas]], and [[Muhammad b. al-Hanafiyya]] are his brothers, and Lady Zaynab is his sister.

According to [[Shi'a]] and Sunni narrations, the Prophet (s) followed God's order and named him al-Husayn<ref>See: Kulayni, ''al-Kafi'', Vol. 6, p. 33-34; Saduq, '' 'Ilal al-shara'i''', vol. 1, p.137-138; Tusi, ''Misbah al-mujtahajjid'', p. 367; Ibn Shahrashub, ''Manaqib al Abi Talib'', vol. 3, p. 397; Al-Irbili, 'Ali b. 'Isa, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 1, p. 525</ref> The names al-Hasan and al-Husayn have no historical precedence before Islam and are translations of Shubbar and Shubayr the names of the two sons [[Aaron]].<ref>Ibn Shahrashub, ''Manaqib al Abi Talib'', vol. 3, p. 397; Irbili, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 1, p. 525; Saduq, '' 'Ilal al-shara'i''', Vol. 1, p. 138</ref> There are other reports too about why he was named al-Husayn. It is reported, for instance, that Imam Ali (a) initially named him Harb or Ja’far, but the Prophet (s) chose the name al-Husayn for him. However, scholars have regarded such reports as inauthentic.{{cn}}

Imam al-Husayn's (a) kunya was Abu 'Abd Allah which, like his name, was given by the Prophet (s) when the Imam (a) was a child.<ref>''Mawsu'at kalamat Imam al-Husayn'', p. 38</ref> Also, Imam al-Husayn (a) was known by other kunyas, Abu 'Ali, Abu l-Shuhada [father of the martyrs], Abu l-Ahrar [father of the free-minded], and Abu al-Mujahidin [father of the fighters (on the way of God)].

According to a hadith, which is recorded in many Sunni and Shiite sources, the Prophet (s) said, “Al-Husayn is a sibt from the asbat.” About the meaning of sibt and its plural asbat, it is said that asbat are those descendants of prophets who are chosen as leaders of people.

According to Sunni and Shiite reports, when al-Husayn (a) was born, the Prophet (s) wept and talked about his martyrdom.  According to some reports, in his childhood, Umm al-Fadl, the wife of al-‘Abbas b. ‘Abd al-Muttalib, became his wet nurse.{{cn}}

 

 

| [[Umm Ishaq|Umm Ishaq bt. Talha]] || dauter of Talah b. 'Ubayd Allah|| [[Fatima bt. al-Husayn|Fatima]] || Umm Ishaq was a wife of Imam al-Hasan (a), after his martyrdom, Imam al-Husayn (a) married her.

Ibn Talha al-Shafi'i attributed ten children to the Imam (a) but only mentioned the names of nine. In some later books of elegies, a four-year-old girl named [[Ruqayya bt. al-Husayn (a)|Ruqayya]] is mentioned among the children of Imam (a).

 

Accordingly, the names of Imam's (a) children are mentioned as following:

 

Imam al-Husayn (a) was six years and eight months old when the Prophet (s) passed away. He was always especially favored by the Prophet (s). It is narrated from the Prophet (s), "Surely, al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the masters of the youths in paradise."

The caliphate of [[Abu Bakr]] was an intense period in the life of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. The Ahl al-Bayt (a) mourned the death of [[the Prophet (s)]] while simultaneously disputing over the [[caliphate]]. This made it a difficult time for the family of the Prophet (s). It is reported that in the first days of the caliphate of Abu Bakr, al-Husayn (a) together with his brother, [[al-Hasan (a)]], their mother, [[Lady Fatima (a)]] and their father, [['Ali (a)]] went to the houses of those who participated in the [[Battle of Badr]] to gain support for the rightful position of leadership which belonged to Imam 'Ali (a).

=== Caliphate of 'Umar ===

It is reported in some sources that one of the early days of the caliphate of 'Umar, al-Husayn (a) entered the [[al-Masjid al-Nabawi]] where he (a) saw 'Umar giving a speech on the pulpit of the Prophet (s). So, he (a) stepped up the pulpit and told him, "Come down from the pulpit of my father and go sit on the pulpit of your father!" 'Umar was astounded at this statement and said, "My father did not have a pulpit!" There is reports about the special respect of the second caliph for al-Husayn (a).

According to some Sunni sources, Imam al-Hasan (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a) participated in the Battle of Ifriqiyya in 26/646-47 and in the Battle of Tabaristan in 29/649-50 or 30/650-51. This report is not affirmed in any Shiite sources. Moreover, it is said that no fight occurred in those battles, and the two sides made peace. Scholars disagree as to the authenticity of the reports that indicate the presence of the two Imams (a) in these battles. For instance, considering the weakness of their chains of transmitters and the disagreement of the Imams with the conquests, [[al-Sayyid Ja’far Murtada al-‘Amili]] maintains that these reports are inauthentic. He mentions that the fact that Imam Ali (a) did not allow them to participate in the battle of Siffin is further evidence that those reports are fabricated. However, some other scholars hold that the participation of the two Imams (a) in those battles were for the greater good of the Ummah and in order to provide Imam Ali (a) with accurate information about the circumstances and also to acquaint people with Ahl al-Bayt (a).  

When 'Uthman exiled [[Abu Dhar]] to [[Rabadha]], he forbade anyone from accompanying or bidding him farewell. Al-Husayn (a) with his father, his brother [[al-Hasan (a)]], his uncle ([['Aqil b. Abi Talib]]), his cousin ([['Abd Allah b. Ja'far]]), and [['Ammar b. Yasir]] disregarded the caliph's order and bid farewell to Abu Dhar.

It is reported that when people paid allegiance to Imam Ali (a), Imam al-Husayn (a) delivered a speech. During the [[Battle of Jamal]], he was the commander of the left part of his father’s army. In the Battle of Siffin, he delivered a speech, encouraging the people to Jihad, and became the commander of the right part of the army. It is reported that in this battle, al-Husayn (a) was present in the successful operation for regaining the water from the enemy. Imam Ali (a) described that operation as the first victory achieved because of the blessing of al-Husayn’s presence. Some sources report that al-Husayn (a) participated in the battle of Nahrawan as well.  

Some sources report that when Imam Ali (a) was martyred, Imam al-Husayn (a) was with him and participated in his burial ceremony.  However, according to some other sources, Imam al-Husayn (a) was on a mission in Mada’in when his father was assassinated. He returned to Kufa when he received the letter of his brother informing him about the incident.

During the ten-year imamate and the six-months [[caliphate]] of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]], al-Huayn (a) accompanied and served alongside his brother. After [['Ali (a)|Imam 'Ali's (a)]] martyrdom, Imam al-Hasan (a) became the [[Imam]] and leader of the Muslims. Al-Husayn (a) gave [[allegiance]] to his brother Imam al-Hasan (a) and greatly helped in mobilizing and dispatching forces to the [[camp of Nukhayla]] and the [[camp of Maskin]]. He (a) accompanied Imam al-Hasan (a) to [[Mada'in]] and [[Sabat]] for military recruitment.

 

According to reliable reports, at the time of the [[treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a) and Mu'awiya]], some followers of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] asked al-Husayn (a) to oppose this political peace treaty and stand against Mu'awiya. However, he (a) firmly supported his brother's treaty and gave allegiance to Mu'awiya. When [[Qays b. Sa'd]] asked al-Husayn'a (a) view on the treaty, he (a) openly shared his support for Imam al-Hasan's (a) decision. After the peace treaty was signed, al-Husayn (a) returned to [[Medina]] and remained there.

After the martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan (a) in [[50]]/670, al-Husayn (a) became Imam and took this responsibility until his martyrdom in [[61]]/680. Most of the duration of Imam al-Husayn (a) was in the time of the rule of Mu'awiya. After Mu'awiya, Imam al-Husayn (a) was martyred in the first year of the rule of [[Yazid]].

The hadith of the [[Prophet (s)]] says, "These two sons of mine are Imams, be they sitting or standing", and it is further proof of the [[Imamate]] of al-Hasan (a) and al-Husayn (a).

Even before achieving [[caliphate]], Yazid was famous for playing music, singing, and drinking alcohol. His sinning was prevalent to the point that [[Mu'awiya]] also admonished him and prohibited him from too much drinking.

 

Despite the opposition of many Muslims, especially noblemen of [[Mecca]] and [[Medina]], Mu'awiya insisted on the Muslims' allegiance to Yazid and finally succeeded in gaining support for Yazid in [[56]]/676.

When Imam al-Husayn (a) refused to give allegiance to [[Yazid]], the army of [['Umar b. Sa'd]] prepared to fight against him. They engaged in what would become known as the [[Battle of Karbala]] on Muharram 10, 61/October 13, 680 (cf. Day of Ashura, event of Ashura). Imam (a) tried his best to awaken the sleeping consciences of the army standing against him through his altruistic and benevolent speeches. He (a) told them it was their last chance to live free and that if they were to fail this test, they would never find happiness. He told them that if they ignored dignity, a life full of misery awaited them. The early hours of the tenth day was spent sending and receiving messages and giving speeches. Imam al-Husayn (a) and [[Martyrs of Karbala|his companions]] made key speeches that have been recorded in the history showing their spirit of free-mindedness, dignity and piety, the peak of altruism, and benevolence towards ignorant people. Even as death came upon them, they made efforts to save the enemies from themselves. One of Imam al-Husayn's (a) speeches in those crucial hours read,

::"O people! Do not hurry! Listen to my words [first]. I wish only good for you. I want to tell you why I have come to your land! If you listen to my words and be fair and see that I tell the truth, this battle which may happen at any moment right now will be cancelled. If you do not listen to me, and if you do not follow the path of truth, you will suffer from its harms. O people, do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is? Is it just for you to kill me? And is it just for you to disrespect me? Am I not the son of the Prophet's (s) daughter? Is not my father the successor and the cousin of the [[Prophet (s)]] and [[the first Muslim]]? Have not you heard this hadith about me and my brother, where the Prophet (s) said, 'These two are my sons, the masters of the youths in paradise?' If you think I tell the truth, well, to God I swear I have not told a lie since I have known myself. And if you think I tell you lies, still there are few companions of the Prophet (s) alive, so that you can ask them [such as], [[Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari]], [[Abu Sa'id al-Khudri]], [[Sahl al-Sa'idi]], [[Zayd b. Arqam]], and [[Anas b. Malik]]! They will tell you that what I say is true. O people! With what religious permission are you going to spill my blood?!"

 

When the battle finally began, it was only a few hours before Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions were martyred. The enemy captured their women and children, and took them to Kufa, then onward to Syria. They did not kill [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]] only because he was ill in [[Karbala]].

* [[Murtada Mutahhari|Mutahhari, Murtada]], ''[http://www.al-islam.org/truth-about-al-husayn-s-revolt-ayatullah-murtadha-mutahhari The truth about Al-Husayn’s Revolt]'', transcript of a sermon/lecture the late author, Ayatollah Mutahhari, had delivered in gatherings held in Tehran for the annual commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a)

* [[Muhammad Rida Hakimi|Hakimi, Muhammad Rida]], ''[http://www.al-islam.org/articles/ashura-tenth-muharram-muhammad-rida-hakimi Ashura’, the Tenth of Muharram]''

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