Day of Ashura (events): Difference between revisions

In the morning of 'Ashura', Imam al-Husayn (a) performed [[Fajr prayer]] together with his companions. Then, the Imam (a) arranged the lines of his forces which consisted of 32 horsemen and 40 foot soldiers. He (a) assigned [[Zuhayr b. Qayn]] as the commander of the right wing and [[Habib b. Muzahir]] as the commander of the left wing and gave the standard of his army to his brother [['Abbas (a)]].<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 395; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 422-423; Dinawari, Ahmad. ''al-Akhbar al-tuwal''. p, 256; Ibn A'tham Kufi. ''al-Futuh''. vol, 5. p, 101</ref>

By the order of Imam (a), forces stood in front of the tents<ref>al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 96</ref> and set fire to the firewood and brushwood gathered in the moat to prevent the enemy from behind.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 395-396; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 423-426; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 96</ref>

At the other side of the battlefield, [['Umar b. Sa'd]] did his prayer and assigned the commanders of his army who were (according to the famous report) 4000 people. He assigned [['Amr b. al-Hajjaj al-Zubaydi]] as the commander of the right wing, [[Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan]], the commander of the left wing, [['Uzrat b. Qays al-Ahmasi]], the commander of the horsemen and [[Shabath b. Rib'i]] as the commander of the foot soldiers.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 395-396; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 422-426</ref>

'Umar b. Sa'd also assigned [['Abd Allah b. Zuhayr al-Asadi]] as the commander of the people of [[Kufa]], [['Abd al-Rahman b. Abi Sabra]], as the commander of the tribes of [[Madhhij]] and [[Banu Asad]]. He also assigned [[Qays b. Ash'ath b. Qays]] as the commander of the tribes of Rabi'a and Kinda and assigned [[Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi]] as the commander of the tribes of Banu Tamim and Hamdan and gave the standard of his army to his slave [[Zuwayd]] (Durayd) and prepared them to fight against Imam al-Husayn (a).<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 395-396; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 422; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 95-96; Ibn Athir. ''al-Kamil fi al-tarikh''. vol, 4. p, 60</ref>

It has been reported that when the Imam (a) saw the multitude of enemy's army, he (a) raised his hands and said, "O God! You are my trust in every hardship and my hope in every difficulty. How much sadness exhausting the patience of the heart and there is no way to remove it. How much sadness in which our friends abandon us and the enemy gloats over that sadness of ours and due to my love towards You and not others I have brought You this petition and You have put solution in that and have made it easy for me. So, You are the Lord of every blessings and belong to You all the good and You are the end of every goal."<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 423; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 96; Ibn Athir. ''al-Kamil fi al-tarikh''. vol, 4. p, 60-61</ref>

From that morning or a bit later, some companions were watching from between the tents for approaching the enemy and some soldiers of the army of [[Kufa]] were killed there.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 394; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 438</ref>

Before the beginning of the war, to have the final word said to the army of Kufa, Imam (a) got on his horse and went to the enemy's army with a group of his companions ahead of whom [[Burayr b. Khudayr]] was going. The Imam (a) told him, "O Burayr! Speak to them and advise them!"<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 396-398; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 1. p,252</ref> Then, Burayr stood in front of the army of [['Umar b. Sa'd]] and advised them.<ref>Ibn A'tham Kufi. ''al-Futuh''. vol, 5. p, 100; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 1. p, 252</ref>

During his speech, the Imam (a) addressed commanders of the army of Kufa, [[Shabath b. Rib'i]], [[Hajjar b. Abjar]], [[Qays b. Ash'ath b. Qays]] and [[Yazid b. Harith]] and reminded them of the letters they wrote with their exact sentences and they all denied them and asked the Imam (a) to surrender and he (a) answered, "No! By God I swear that I would never stretch the hand of humility towards them."<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 395-396; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 424-426; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 96-98</ref>

After Imam's (a) speech, [[Zuhayr b. Qayn]] addressed the people from Kufa and spoke about Imam's (a) virtues and advised them.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 424-427</ref> In the middle of the speech of Imam (a), [[Shimr]] said that he did not understand anything from Imam's (a) speech and also replied to the speech of Zuhayr by obscenities.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 397; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 425-426</ref>

Although [[Muslim b. 'Awsaja]] was close to him and showed readiness for shooting at Shimr, but Imam (a) said, "I do not want to be the beginner of the war."<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 393-396; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 423-426; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 96</ref>

In the morning of 'Ashura when Imam al-Husayn (a) called, "Is there any helper to help me?", [[Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi]] heard him (a) and he was touched by these words, and when he saw the people of Kufa serious for fighting Imam al-Husayn (a), left their army and joined the camp of Imam (a).<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 427; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 99; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 2. p, 9</ref> It is narrated that after the beginning of the battle, Hurr asked the Imam (a) to allow him attack the army of Kufa before other companions of Imam (a) and Imam (a) allowed him. He did so and was martyred. It is said in some reports that Hurr was martyred in the middle of the day of 'Ashura.<ref>al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 104</ref>

The war began when [['Umar b. Sa'd]] called his slave Durayd (Dhuwayd) and told him, "O Durayd, bring the standard forth!" Then 'Umar b. Sa'd shot an arrow and said, "Be witness before Amir ('Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad) that I was the first person who shot an arrow." Then, his companions began shooting arrows together.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 398; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 429-430; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 101</ref>

So, at the beginning of the war on the day of 'Ashura, attacks began collectively and during the first round of attacks many of the companions of Imam (a) were martyred. This attack is known as the first attack and according to some reports, up to fifty companions of Imam (a) were martyred in that attack. Then, companions of the Imam (a) went to the battle one by one or two by two and did not let anyone from the army of the enemy approach the Imam (a).<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 429-430</ref>

[['Amr b. al-Hajjaj]] and his soldiers attacked the right wing of the army of Imam (a), but Imam's (a) companions stopped their progress. On their return, Imam's (a) companions shot arrows towards them and killed and injured some of them.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 400; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 430-436</ref>

After killing of some soldiers from the army of Kufa in one on one fights, 'Umar b. Sa'd ordered that no one should go to battle for one on one fight.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 400; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 430-437</ref>

Once again 'Amr b. al-Hajjaj and his soldiers attacked Imam's (a) companions and fought them for about an hour and had to retreat again. In that fight, Muslim b. 'Awsaja al-Asadi was martyred.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 400; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 435-436; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 103-104</ref> So, it was said that the first martyr among the companions of the Imam (a) was Muslim b. 'Awsaja.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 400</ref>

After the attack of [['Amr b. al-Hajjaj]], [[Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan]] together with the left wing of the army of 'Umar b. Sa'd attacked the left side of the army of the Imam (a) and faced with great resistance of Imam's (a) companions.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 436-438</ref>

Among the commanders of the army of [[Kufa]], there were very few people showed such great desire for war like Shimr did. He did not even hide his determination for killing women and burning the tent of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] in front of him.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 438-439</ref>

Before the noon on the day of 'Ashura, the enemy began an all-out attack on the army of Imam al-Husayn (a) and attacked the Imam (a) and his companions from every direction. Imam's (a) companions engaged in a fierce fight with them,  and the horsemen among the companions of Imam (a) who were no more than 32, showed such a courage that made the great army of Kufa very tired so that [['Uzrat b. Qays]], the commander of the horsemen of the army of [['Umar b. Sa'd]] had to ask him for help.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 400; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 436-437; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 104</ref>

'Umar b. Sa'd called for [[Husayn b. Tamim]] and sent him to 'Uzrat b. Qays with armored horses and 500 archers and when they reached near the Imam (a) and his companions, they began shooting arrows toward them.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 436-437</ref>

Companions of Imam (a) distributed among tents in groups of three and four and began defending the tents. They defended against anyone from the army of the enemy who attacked the tents and killed them with sword or shooting arrows at them. The incompetence of the army of 'Umar b. Sa'd in killing Imam (a) and his companions made 'Umar b. Sa'd order the destruction of the tents of Imam (a); so, they attacked the tents from every direction. In one of these attacks, Shimr and some of his soldiers from behind the tents reached the tents of Imam (a), and [[Zuhayr b. Qayn]] and ten other companions of the Imam (a) attacked them and moved them away.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 400; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 437-439; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 105</ref>

The war intensely continued until the mid-day.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 437-438</ref> Until then, many of the companions of Imam (a) were martyred. In those attacks, in addition to [[Muslim b. 'Awsaja]], [['Abd Allah b. 'Umayr al-Kalbi]] was martyred in the left wing of the army by [[Hani b. Thubayt al-Hadrami]] and [[Bukayr b. Hay al-Taymi]].<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 437; Ibn Athir. ''al-Kamil fi al-tarikh''. vol, 4. p, 68</ref> [['Amr b. Khalid al-Saydawi]], [[Jabir b. Harith al-Salmani]], Sa'd the slave of [['Amr b. Khalid]] and [[Majma' b. 'Abd Allah 'A'idhi]] and his son, [['A'idh b. Majma']] were also martyred in the fights with the enemy.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 446</ref> Some other companions of Imam (a) who have been counted by some historians as fifty were also martyred during this time.<ref>Ibn A'tham Kufi. ''al-Futuh''. vol, 5. p, 101</ref>

When the sun reached its peak at the noon of 'Ashura and the time for the [[Noon Prayer]] came, [[Abu Thumama al-Sa'idi]] reminded Imam (a) of the time of Prayer. Imam (a) raised his head and looked at the sky and while he (a) was praying for Abu Thumama, said, "Ask them (the army of Kufa) to give us time for the noon prayer."<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 438-439; Ibn Athir. ''al-Kamil fi al-tarikh''. vol, 4. p, 70</ref> Then, [[Husayn b. Tamim]] shouted that his (Imam's (a)) prayer would not be accepted. [[Habib b. Muzahir]] got angry and shouted, "Have you thought that the Prayer of the family of the [[Prophet (s)]] would not be accepted, and it is accepted from you donkey?!" Husayn, his relatives and soldiers around him got angry too and attacked Habib and fought him until he was martyred by [[Budayl b. Suraym]] and [[Husayn b. Tamim]].<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 439-440</ref>

For the noon prayer of 'Ashura, Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions got prepared. Imam (a) told [[Zuhayr b. Qayn]] and [[Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi]] to stand in front of Imam (a) and about half of his companions to defend them against possible attacks of the enemy. When they began the Prayer, the army of [['Umar b. Sa'd]] began attacking them and shooting arrows towards them, but Zuhayr and Sa'id stood against the attacks and prevented the arrows to reach the Imam (a) and other prayers.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 441; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 105; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 2. p, 17; Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf ‘ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 110-111</ref>

After the end of Prayer, Sa'id b. Abd Allah was martyred due to great injuries.<ref>Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf ‘ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 110-111</ref> After the Prayer, Zuhayr b. Qayn, [[Burayr b. Khudayr al-Hamdani]], [[Nafi' b. Hilal al-Jamali]], [['Abis b. Abi Shabib al-Shakiri]], [[Hanzala b. Sa'd al-Shabami]] and others went to the battlefield one by one and were martyred.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 441; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 2. p, 20</ref>

After the martyrdom of the companions of Imam al-Husayn (a), youths of his family came forth for the battle. The first one of [[Banu Hashim]] who asked him (a) for permission and was martyred was [['Ali al-Akbar (a)]].<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 361-362; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 446; Dinawari, Ahmad. ''al-Akhbar al-tuwal''. p, 256; Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf ‘ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 49</ref> After 'Ali al-Akbar (a) asked Imam (a) for permission, he went to the battlefield. In a prayer for him, Imam (a) considered him the most alike to the [[Prophet (s)]] than anyone.<ref>Abu al-Faraj Isfahani, 'Ali b. Husayn. ''Maqatil al-talibiyyin''. p, 115-116</ref>

After the martyrdom of 'Ali al-Akbar (a), others from Banu Hashim including the sons of [['Aqil b. Abi Talib]], [['Abd Allah b. Muslim b. 'Aqil]], sons of [[Ja'far b. Abi Talib]], [['Adi b. 'Abd Allah b. Ja'far al-Tayyar]] and also sons of [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]]: [[Qasim b. al-Hasan (a)]] and his brother [[Abu Bakr b. al-Hasan|Abu Bakr]] and the brothers of [['Abbas b. 'Ali (a)]]: [['Abd Allah b. 'Ali b. Abi Talib|'Abd Allah]], [['Uthman b. 'Ali b. Abi Talib|'Uthman]], [[Ja'far b. 'Ali b. Abi Talib|Ja'far]] and others went to the battlefield one by one and were all martyred.<ref>Abu l-Faraj Isfahani, 'Ali b. Husayn. ''Maqatil al-talibiyyin''. p, 89-95; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 446-449; Dinawari, Ahmad. ''al-Akhbar al-tuwal''. p, 256-257; Muhammad b. Sa'd. ''al-Tabaqat al-kubra''. vol, 6. p, 440-442</ref>

However, 'Abbas b. 'Ali (a), the standard bearer of Imam al-Husayn (a) and the guard of the tents who also had the responsibility of bringing water was upon him, went to bring water and was martyred in the fight with the guards of the [[Euphrates]]. It is reported that the last companion of Imam (a) who was martyred was [[Suwayd b. 'Amr al-Khath'ami]].<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 446-449, 453; Ibn Shahrashub, Muhammad b. 'Ali. ''Manaqib al Abi talib''. vol, 4. p, 108</ref>

:"Is there anyone to defend the family of the [[Prophet (s)]]? And is there any believer in [[God]] among you who worries about us for the sake of God? Is there an assistant who assists us for the sake of God? Is there a helper who helps us for the sake of God?"<REF>Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf 'ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 116; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 2. p, 32</ref>

By hearing the voice of Imam (a), cries of the women went up. It is reported that at that time, as [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]] heard the father, he (a) came out of the tent while he (a) was resting on a cane, but he (a) did not have power to carry a sword. Imam al-Husayn (a) saw him and called [[Umm Kulthum]], "Take him back so that the earth would not be emptied from the sons of Muhammad (s)."<ref> al-Kharazmi, al-Muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 2. p, 32</ref>

Imam al-Husayn (a) came to his tent and after advising his family to silence, said goodbye to his sisters, wives and his kids. They brought him a shirt and he (a) tore it up from some places, so that the army of Kufa do not steal it, and wore it under his other clothes and armor, but even this shirt was later stolen.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 409; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 451-453; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 11;  Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf ‘ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 123</ref>

 

When Imam (a) saw [['Ali al-Asghar|his suckling baby]] crying out of thirst, he (a) took it and went near the battle field and shouted, "O people! If you do not have mercy on me, have mercy on this little suckling!" But they even did not show mercy on that little kid and [[Harmala b. Kahil al-Asadi]], from the middle of the army, shot an arrow towards his throat and martyred him on the chest of his father.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 448; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 108;  Abu al-Faraj Isfahani, 'Ali b. Husayn. Maqatil al-talibiyyin. p, 95</ref>

Although [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] was left alone after [[martyrdom]] of his companions and relatives, but for a while, no one from the army of [[Kufa]] came forth to fight him (a). Once, Imam (a) approached the water, they shot arrows toward his mouth and they have reported that when he (a) moved his horse towards the river, they blocked his way.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 407; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 449-450; Dinawari, Ahmad. ''al-Akhbar al-tuwal''. p, 258</ref> In spite of his loneliness and having deep wounds on his head and body, Imam (a) fought fearlessly.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 452; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 111; Ibn Miskawayh. ''Tajarib al-umam''. vol, 2. p, 80</ref>

It is narrated from [[Humayd b. Muslim]] that, "I did not see any defeated person whose sons, relatives and companions been killed but despite that, he stands so firm, brave and daring. Foot soldiers rushed at him from every direction and he (a) too rushed at them, so they escaped from his right and left sides in the same manner a herd of sheep escape in front of a wolf."<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 452; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 111; Ibn Miskawayh. ''Tajarib al-umam''. vol, 2. p, 80</ref>

[[Sayyid b. Tawus]] narrated that, "When Imam al-Husayn (a) rushed at the lines of the enemy, 30,000 soldiers of the enemy retreated all at once and scattered like grasshoppers."<ref>Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf ‘ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 119; al-Musawi Muqarram, 'Abd al-Razzaq. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. p, 276</ref>

After a period of fighting, Imam (a) came to his family and asked women for patience.<ref>al-Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir. ''Jala' al-'uyun''. p. 408; al-Musawi Muqarram, 'Abd al-Razzaq. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. p, 276-278</ref> Then, he said goodbye to every one of them<ref>al-Musawi Muqarram, 'Abd al-Razzaq. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. p, 277; Ibn Shahrashub, Muhammad b. 'Ali. ''Manaqib al Abi talib''. vol, 4. p, 109</ref> and attended the bedside of [[Imam al-Sajjad (a)]].<ref>Mas'udi, 'Ali b. Husayn. ''Ithbat al-wasila li-l-Imam 'Ali''. p, 177-178</ref>

When Imam (a) was busy saying goodbye to his family, by the order of 'Umar b. Sa'd, the army of Kufa attacked the tents of Imam (a) and shot arrows towards them, so that some of the arrows passed through the ropes of the tents and scared the family of Imam (a).<ref>al-Musawi Muqarram, 'Abd al-Razzaq. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. p, 277-278</ref>

On the [[Day of 'Ashura]], Imam al-Husayn (a) had located a place to attack the enemy from there and then return to it and with a loud voice [in a manner that all his family hear] said, "La hawl wa la quwwat illa bi-Allah al-'Aliy al-'Azim." [There is no ability nor power but by God, the Exalted, the Great.]<ref>Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf ‘ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 119</ref> After several times attacking the enemy and returning to his place, [[Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan]] and some soldiers of the army of Kufa attacked to the tents of Imam (a) and made separation between him and the tents. When Imam (a) saw that, shouted, "Woe be to you! If you do not believe in any religion and do not fear the [[Day of Judgement]], then at least be free-spirited in your world."<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p,407; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 450; Abu al-Faraj Isfahani, 'Ali b. Husayn. ''Maqatil al-talibiyyin''. p, 118</ref>

Foot soldiers under command of Shimr surrounded Imam (a), but they still did not come forth and inevitably Shimr encouraged them.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p,407-408</ref> Shimr ordered the archers to shoot arrows at him and so arrows rained at him from everywhere and Imam's (a) body became full of arrows.<ref> al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 111-112; al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 1. p, 249-250; Ibn Shahrashub, Muhammad b. 'Ali. ''Manaqib al Abi talib''. vol, 4. p, 109</ref> So, Imam (a) retreated and they lined in front of him.<ref> al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 111-112</ref>

It is narrated that the first blow of the sword fell at Imam al-Husayn's (a) head by a man from the tribe of Kinda.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 408; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 448</ref> According to some sources, wounds and fatigue from battle had seriously weaken Imam (a). Thus, he (a) rested a while, but suddenly a stone hit his forehead and blood ran down. When he (a) wanted to clean the blood of his face with his shirt, a triple-pointed poisonous arrow was shot at him and hit his heart.<ref>al-Kharazmi, al-muwaffaq b. Ahmad. ''Maqtal al-Husayn''. vol, 2. p, 34; Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf ‘ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 120</ref>

According to some sources, a man called [[Malik b. Nusayr]] landed such a blow at Imam's (a) head that the rope of Imam's (a) helmet was torn up.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 203; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 448; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 110</ref>Another person called [[Zar'a b. Sharik al-Tamimi]] stroke a heavy blow at Imam's (a) left shoulder and [[Sinan b. Anas]] shot an arrow at Imam's (a) throat. Then, [[Salih b. Wahb al-Ju'fi]] (or according to another narration, Sinan b. Anas) came forth and stroke Imam's (a) side with spear so hard that Imam (a) fell from the horse on his right cheek.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 391-392; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 416-418; Dinawari, Ahmad. ''al-Akhbar al-tuwal''. p, 258; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 112</ref>

When the army of Kufa had sieged Imam (a) and he (a) was passing the last moments of his life, a small kid from the tents called [['Abd Allah b. Hasan]] saw Imam (a) at that state and left the tents and even though [[Lady Zaynab (a)]] tried to stop him, he rushed to Imam (a). When Bahr (or Abjar) b. Ka'b (or according to another narration, [[Harmala b. Kahil al-Asadi]]) attacked Imam (a) with sword, the kid guarded Imam (a) with his hand and the sword cut off his hand.<ref>al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 110; Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf 'ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 122-123</ref>

[[Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan]] with a group of the army of [['Umar b. Sa'd]], among whom were [['Abd al-Rahman b. Ziyad]], [[Qash'am b. 'Amr b. Yazid al-Harduwan al-Ju'fi]], [[Salih b. Wahb al-Yazni]], [[Sinan b. Anas al-Nakha'i]] and [[Khawli b. Yazid al-Asbahi]] attacked Imam (a). Shimr was encouraging them to attack him (a) and finish the job,<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 407-409; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 450; Ibn Athir. al-Kamil fi al-tarikh. vol, 4. p, 77</ref> but they did not go forth, so Shimr ordered Khawli b. Yazid to behead Imam (a). Khawli went to behead Imam (a), but when he entered the killing pit ([[Qatlgah]]), he feared and become shivering and could not proceed. So, Shimr<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 450; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 112; Sayyid b. Tawus, 'Ali b. Musa. ''al-Luhuf ‘ala qatli al-Tufuf''. p, 126; Abu al-Faraj Isfahani, 'Ali b. Husayn. ''Maqatil al-talibiyyin''. p, 118</ref> (or according to another narration, Sinan b. Anas) got off from the horse and beheaded Imam (a) and gave Imam's (a) head to Khawli.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 453; Abu al-Faraj Isfahani, 'Ali b. Husayn. ''Maqatil al-talibiyyin''. p, 118; Mas'udi, 'ali b. Husayn. ''Muruj al-dhahab''. vol, 5. p, 258</ref> Upon the martyrdom of Imam (a), his body had the signs of 33 hits of sword and 34 hits of spear.<ref>Al-Mas'udi, 'Ali b. Husayn. ''Muruj al-dhahab''. vol, 3. p, 258-259</ref> After the martyrdom of Imam (a), the enemy looted his clothes and everything he (a) had and left him naked on the ground.

 

By the order of [['Umar b. Sa'd]], to follow the order of [['Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad]], ten volunteers from the army of Kufa including [[Ishaq b. Huya]] and [[Akhnas b. Murthad]] trod on the bodies of Imam (a) and other Martyrs.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 3. p, 411; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. ''Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk''. vol, 5. p, 455; Mas'udi, 'ali b. Husayn. ''Muruj al-dhahab''. vol, 3. p, 259</ref>

In the same day, 'Umar b. Sa'd sent the head of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] to 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad by [[Khawli b. Yazid al-Asbahi]] and [[Humayd b. Muslim al-Azdi]]. He also ordered his soldiers to behead all the companions of Imam al-Husayn (a) and the youths of [[Banu Hashim]] which were 72, and sent them to Kufa by Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan and 'Amr b. Hajjaj.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad b. Yahya. Ansab al-ashraf. vol, 3. p, 411; al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk. vol, 5. p, 455; Mas'udi, 'ali b. Husayn. Muruj al-dhahab. vol, 3. p, 259</ref>

After the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a), the army of enemy attacked the tents to steal the clothes and whatever was there and stole all horses, camels and property including women's clothes and jewelry. They compete each other in looting the tents of Imam al-Husayn (a).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The body of Imam (a) was buried in the current place of his Holy shrine and [['Ali al-Asghar (a)]] was buried down his feet. Also, a grave was dug for the family of Imam (a) and a grave was dug for the companions of Imam (a) down his feet and they were buried there. However, their exact location is unknown, even though they are all in the [[Al-Ha'ir al-Husayni|Ha'ir]]. The blessed body of [['Abbas (a)]] was also buried were he (a) was martyred.<ref>; al-Shaykh al-Mufid, Muhammad b. Muhammad. ''al-Irshad''. vol, 2. p, 125-126</ref>

 

It is also reported that at the time of burying the bodies of the martyrs of Karbala, the relatives (and in some reports, the mother) of [[Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi]] took his body to the place which is now known as his grave and buried him there.<ref>Amin, sayyid Muhsin, ''al-A'yan al-shi'a''. vol, 1. p, 613</ref>

 

 

At least, there are four reports about the burying the holy head of Imam al-Husayn (a):

# [['Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad]] hanged the head of Imam al-Husayn (a) in [[Kufa]] and then toured it in the city and later sent it together with the heads of other martyrs to [[Yazid]] in Syria by [[Zahr b. Qays al-Ju'fi]].<ref>al-Baladhuri, Ahmad ibn Yahya. ''Ansab al-ashraf''. vol, 2. p, 507</ref> 'Atika (Yazid's daughter, wife of [['Abd al-Malik b. Marwan]]) washed the head of Imam (a) with respect and perfumed it. Then, they buried it in a garden in [[Damascus]] (the garden of the palace or another garden).

# According to another report, after they took Imam's (a) head to Kufa, Syria, [['Asqalan]] and [[Egypt]],<ref>Ibn Shaddad, 'Izz al-din abi 'Abd allah. ''al-A'laq al-khatira''. p, 291</ref> they buried it beside the grave of [[Lady Fatima (a)]] in [[Baqi' Cemetery]].<ref>Muhammad b. Sa'd. al-Tabaqat al-kubra. vol, 6. p, 450</ref>

# According to [[Al-Sharif al-Murtada]],<ref>Sayyid Murtada, 'Ali. ''Rasa'il al-Sharif al-Murtada''. vol, 3. p, 130</ref> Imam's (a) head was brought back to [[Karbala]] from Syria and was buried beside his body.

# It was stolen by a friend of [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] in Syria and was buried beside the grave of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] in [[Najaf]].<ref>al-Thaqafi al-Kufi, Ibrahim b. Muhammad. ''al-Gharat''. vol, 2. p, 852</ref>

== Message-bearers of 'Ashura ==

After the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a), Imam al-Sajjad (a) and Lady Zaynab (a) who were in the caravan of captives, delivered powerful speeches. In the meeting of 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad in Kufa and also at the court of Yazid, Lady Zaynab (a) and in the meeting of Yazid, Imam al-Sajjad (a) made those speeches and explained the content of the [[Uprising of Imam al-Husayn (a)]] and disclosed the corrupted government of Yazid and deceptions of the people of Kufa.<ref>see: Ibn A'tham al-Kufi. ''al-Futuh''. vol, 5. p, 121-122; Shahidi, Ja'far. ''Zindigani Fatinat al-Zahra''. p, 249-260</ref>

* The material for this article is mainly taken from [http://fa.wikishia.net/view/%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2_%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7_%28%D9%88%D9%82%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B9%29 {{ia|روز عاشورا (وقایع)}}] in Farsi Wikishia.

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