Tasu'a: Difference between revisions

Also, on this day, Shimr brought a safe-conduct for Abbas and other sons of Umm al-Banin, but Abbas did not accept it. Therefore, this day is very important for Shia. Shia consider Tasu’a dedicated to Abbas (a) and respect it the same as the day of ‘Ashura and mention the merits of Abbas and mourn for him. This day is an official holiday before the day of ‘Ashura.

== Meaning of Tasu’a ==

The ninth day of Muharram is called Tasu’a. The word “Tasu’a” is derived from the root “ta-sa-‘a” meaning nine or ninth. However, the fame of this day is because of the events in Muharram 9th of 61 AH occurred in Karbala.

== The Events of the Day of Tasu’a ==

The Day of Tasu’a is the last day Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions spend the night on and that day is remembered with the eve of ‘Ashura.

On the day of Tasu’a, before noon, Shimr b. Dhi al-Jawshan and 4000 soldiers entered Karbala and brought a letter for ‘Umar b. Sa’d from ‘Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad. In that letter, Ibn Ziyad had asked ‘Umar to either force Imam (a) to make allegiance to Yazid or fight him.

In that letter, ‘Ubayd Allah had also threatened ‘Umar that if he refuses the order, he had to withdraw from the command of the army and leave it to Shimr b. Dhi al-Jawshan.

When Ibn Sa’d read the letter, told Shimr, “I will not leave the command of the army to you since I do not see the competence in you; so, I will finish this myself and you shall be the commander of the foot soldiers.”

When Shimr took the letter of Ibn Ziyad, he was with ‘Abd Allah b. Abi al-Mahal, the nephew of Umm al-Banin and they asked ‘Ubayd Allah for a safe0conduct for their nephews and ‘ubayd Allah accepted their request.

‘Abd Allah b. Abi al-Mahal sent the safe-conduct to Karbala through his slave, Kazman or ‘Irfan. After he arrived in Karbala, read the text of the safe-conduct for the sons of Umma al-Banin (s), buit they refused it.

It is mentioned in another report that Shimr took the safe-conduct with himself to Karbala to Abbas (a) and his brothers Abd Allah, Ja’far and ‘Uthman.

Abbas (a) and his brothers were sitting with Aba Abd Allah al-Husayn (a) and did not answer Shimr. Imam (a) told Abbas (a), “Although he is a mischief-maker, but you answer him for he is one of your uncles.” Abbas (a), ‘Abd Allah, Ja’far and ‘Uthman came out and asked Shimr, “What do you want?” Shimr told them, “you are my nephews; so, you are safe and free to go since I took a safe-conduct of you from ‘Ubayd Allah.” But, Abbas (a) and his brothers said, “May God curse you and your safe-conduct! We would be safe and the son of the Prophet’s (s) daughter would not be safe?!”

After rejecting the safe-conduct, the army of ‘Umar b. Sa’d was ordered to prepare for the war; so, everyone got on his horse and prepared to fight Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions on the eve of Thursday, Muharram 9.

In the evening of Muharram 9, movements of the army of ‘Umar b. Sa’d increased and ‘Umar prepared to fight with Imam al-Husayn (a) and ordered his army to prepare for the war. He shouted among his soldiers, “O the army of God! Got on [your horses] for I give you the good news of the paradise!” People of Kufa got on [their horses] and prepared for the battle.

The noise of the army raised. Imam (a) was sitting in front of his tent and leaned on his sword. Hearing the sound of the army of Kufa, Imam’s (a) sister, Zaynab (s) came near brother and said, “O brother! Do you hear the sound of them approaching?” Imam (a) raised his head and said, “I met the Prophet (s) in my dream and he (s) told me, ‘You will [soon] come to us.” Imam (a) told Abbas (a), “O Abbas! May my life be sacrificed for you; sit on your horse and go to them and ask what they want and why they have come forth?”

Abbas (a) and twenty horsemen including Zuhayr b. Qayn and Habib b. Mazahir went to the army of the enemy and asked, “What has happened and what do you want?” They answered, “It is an order of the commander to tell you that you either make allegiance or prepare for the war.” Abbas (a) said, “Do not move until I go to Abi Abd Allah (a) and deliver your message to him.” They accepted, so Abbas (a) went to Imam al-Husayn (a) alone and gave him the news.

Imam (a) told Abbas (a), “See if you can convince them to postpone the war to tomorrow and give us time for tonight so that we worship and pray to God; for He knows how much I love praying to Him and reciting His book.”

During the time Abbas (a) was speaking with Imam (a), his companions, Habib b. Mazahir and Zuhayr b. Qayn used the opportunity and spoke with the army of ‘Umar b. Sa’d and advised them not to war with Imam (a) and prevented them to come forth.

Abu al-Fadl al-‘Abbas (a) returned to the army of the enemy and delivered the request of Imam (a) to them and asked them to give them the night. Ibn Sa’d agreed with the request of Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions. On that day, the tents of Imam al-Husayn (a), his family and his companions were surrounded.

=== A Hadith from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a) ===

In a hadith, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a) described that day as, “Tasu’a is a day when Husayn (a) and his companions were besieged in Karbala and the army of Sham gathered against them; and Ibn Ziyad and ‘Umar b. Sa’d became so happy of the gathering of so many forces. That day, they considered Husayn (a) and his companions week and became sure that no help will come for them and Iraqi people will not support them either.”

Because of the events occurred on this day, it is very important to Shia. They attribute this day to Qamar bani Hashim, Abbas (a) as well and respect this day the same as the day of ‘Ashura and mourn during it.

In Iran and some of the Islamic countries having a Shia majority, the day of Tasu’a is an official holiday the same as the day of ‘Ashura. In this day, great mourning ceremonies are held with the running of mourning, chest-beating and chain-hitting caravans of people.