Day of Ashura (events): Difference between revisions

The events of the '''Day of Ashura''' are the events happened for Imam al-Husayn (a) and his family, in the battle with the army of [[Yazid b. Mu'awiya]] led by [['Umar b. Sa'd]] on [[Muharram 10]], 61/[[October 13]], 680 in the land of [[Karbala]] which led to the [[martyrdom]] of Imam al-Husayn (a), his companions and his relatives. The rest of his caravan were also taken as captives.

Imam al-Husayn (a) considered the caliphate of [[Yazid]] illegitimate and for the first time expressed his objection to it in [[Mina]] after [[Mu'awiya]] began asking people to make allegiance to Yazid in 59/679. However, Imam al-Husayn's (a) movement began by his refusal to make allegiance to the governor of [[Medina]] as the representative of Yazid, and leaving Medina in 60/680. Imam (a) then went to [[Mecca]]. In Mecca, the Imam (a) received many letters from the people of [[Kufa]] who invited him for government of [[Iraq]] and promised that would support him. After some months staying in Mecca and before beginning of the rituals of [[Hajj]], the Imam (a) went towards Iraq. Before he (a) arrived in Kufa, agents of [['Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad]] stood against the caravan of Imam (a) in [[Karbala]]. The siege of Imam (a) lasted some days and eventually led to the events of Ashura.

== The Events on the Eve of 'Ashura ==

:"I know no relatives and companions better than you and since tomorrow is the day of battle, I forgive any debt you may owe me; thus, I release you from your allegiance to me and I allow you to benefit from the night and take your way back and go away."

After the words of Imam (a), his companions and relatives stood up one by one and after reassuring about their full support of the Imam (a), insisted on their loyalty to their allegiance and mentioned statements on it. First, [['Abbas b. 'Ali (a)]] and then his brothers and other youths from [[Banu Hashim]] followed him and spoke on their support of Imam (a).<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 378-379; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 369</ref>

Then, Imam (a) addressed the children of [['Aqil b. Abi Talib|'Aqil]] and told them, "O sons of 'Aqil! [[Martyrdom]] of [[Muslim b. 'Aqil]] is enough for you! So, you may go! I allow you to!" but they said, "By God we swear we would not do that! We would sacrifice our lives, wealth and our relatives for you and fight along with you!"<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-rusul wa al-muluk''. vol, 5. p, 419; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 92</ref>

After the statements of the people of Banu Hashim, [[Muslim b. 'Awsaja]],<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 185; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 419; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 92</ref> [[Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi]],<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 419</ref> [[Zuhayr b. Qayn]]<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 393; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 419-420</ref> and other companions of Imam (a) spoke about fighting and helping him (a) even if it leads to their martyrdom.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 420; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 91; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 1. p, 250-251</ref> Then, the Imam (a) addressed his companions, "I will surely be killed tomorrow and all of you who will be with me will also be killed."

In that night, [[Burayr b. Khudayr]] asked Imam (a) for permission to go and advise [['Umar b. Sa'd]] and Imam (a) accepted. Then, Burayr went to 'Umar b. Sa'd. When Burayr came back to Imam (a), said, "O son of the Prophet (s)! 'Umar b. Sa'd has accepted to kill you in return for the government of [[Rey]]."<ref>Ibn A'tham Kufi. ''al-Futuh''.  vol, 5. p, 96; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 1. p, 248</ref>

*Ibn Miskawayh. ''Tajarib al-umam''. Tehran: Surush, 1379Sh.

*Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad al-. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. Qom: Maktabat al-Mufid.

*Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir al-. ''Jala' al-'uyun''. Jawidan.

*Thaqafi al-Kufi, Ibrahim b. Muhammad al-. ''Al-Gharat''. Tehran: Selsele intisharat anjuman athar milli.