Al-Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi

Ḥurr b. Yazīd b. al-Nājīya al-Tamīmī al-Yarbūʿī al-Rīyāhī (حر بن یزید بن الناجیة التمیمی الیربوعی الریاحی) was one of the elite of Kufa, who became a companion of Imam al-Husayn (a) and was martyred in Karbala. He was a nobleman and a Muslim warrior. At first, he was the commander of a part of ‘Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad’s army in Karbala, then he regretted his action, changed side and joined the camp of Imam al-Husayn (a), thus gained special reverence in Shia tradition. He is regarded as the symbol of hope in repentance and its acceptance that leads to eternal salvation.

Linage

Hurr b. Yazid b. al-Najiya b. al-Qa’nab b. ‘attab b. Harith b. ‘amr b. Hammam b. Banu Riyah b. Yarbu’ b. Hanzala belongs to one of the branches of Tamim tribe. That is why he has been mentioned with different titles like Riyahi, Yarbu’i, Hanzali and Tamimi. Both in pre-Islamic period and after it, his family were from the elite.

Life before the Event of ‘Ashura

Hurr was one of the best warriors of Kufa. In some sources, he has been listed, mistakenly, as one of the bodyguards of ‘Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad, the ruler of Kufa. However, his appointment as one of the commanders of ‘Ubayd Allah’s Army (that were mainly from Tamim and Hamdan tribes) to confront Imam al-Husayn (a), his military discipline and full obedience to administrative edicts, can be taken as proofs of his military rank (not necessarily a bodyguard) in ‘Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad’s government.

This assumption is more substantiated by considering the fact that Hurr had no pronounced political affiliation. None of historical sources have reported his faith or political stance during the tense situations of the year 60 hijri in Kufa; only Bal’ami, in a doubtful report, regards him as one of Shia who had hidden their faith.

As the Commander of Kufa Army

Having noticed the departure of Imam al-Husayn (a) toward Kufa, ‘Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad summoned Hurr who was the head of his tribe in Kufa, appointed him as the commander for an army of nearly 3 thousand soldiers and dispatched them to stop Imam al-Husayn (a).

According to another report, ‘Ubayd Allah dispatched Husayn b. Numayr al-Tamimi along an army of 4 thousand soldiers to Qadisiyya to watch over the region between Qadisiyya to Khaffan and Qutqutaniyya to La’la’ and to control all travelers passing through these regions. Husayn b. Numayr dispatched Hurr and one thousand soldiers under his command, to confront Imam al-Husayn (a).

Hurr hears a Call

It has been narrated from Hurr that: “upon my departure from the palace of Ibn Ziyad to confront al-Husayn b. Ali (a), I heard a call from behind, repeating for three times: “O’ Hurr! Glad tidings for paradise be for you.” Hurr continues: “I looked back but couldn’t see anyone, and thought: By God this is not a glad tiding; how can it be glad tidings while I am on my way to a war with Husayn b. Ali (a)?” Hurr kept this incident in mind and when he joined the camp of Imam al-Husayn (a), told this story to the Imam, Imam al-Husayn (a) said: “you have been directed to goodness and reward.”

Meeting Face to Face

In Dhu Hasm, the army of Hurr arrived at the campsite of Imam Husayn’s caravan. Historical sources have explicitly mentioned that Hurr had been dispatched, not to start a war with the Imam but to take him to Ibn Ziyad; that’s why he lined up his army before the campsite of Imam al-Husyan (a).

Abu Mikhnaf narrates the details of this face to face meeting, from two men of Bani Asad who were in the caravan of Imam al-Husayn (a):

“When we departed from the region Shiraf, at the middle of the day, we noticed the scout of an army from far away, the Imam asked his companions: is there a safe haven nearby so that we can get stationed in it, and confront this army from one direction? They replied: yes, to the left, there’s a campsite called Dhu Hasm. Taking the left direction of the road, the Imam moved toward Dhu Hasm; likewaise, the opposite army hurried toward that position. However, Imam al-Husayn’s caravan reached that site earlier and Imam ordered his companions to camp there. Hurr along his soldiers arrived there at noon and were thirsty. Although they lined up in battle stations, the Imam’s reaction was not confrontational. He ordered his companions to give water to the army of Hurr, both soldiers and their horses. Then Hurr requested to pray the noon prayer, along his soldiers, behind the Imam; Imam al-Husayn (a) accepted and they prayed their noon prayer with the caravan of Imam al-Husayn (a), the Imam being the leader of prayer. Hurr told the Imam about his mission. Imam al-Husayn (a) emphasized on the fact that the people of Kufa have invited him to Kufa by sending frequent letters and requested him to take over the affairs; however, the Imam explicitly stated that if the Kufans regret their decision, he would return.

Hurr said he had been unaware of such correspondence, neither he nor his soldiers sent no letters and that he has the mission to take the Imam to Ibn Ziyad in Kufa.

When the Imam decided to continue his travel, Hurr stopped him from either heading toward Kufa or going back to Hijaz, he suggested him to take a third route, neither to Kufa nor to Hijaz, so that he can ask Ibn Ziyad for further instructions. Hurr told the Imam: “I have not been ordered to battle against you, but I am ordered not to let you go and take you to Kufa; yet if you refuse, take a third route rather than Kufa and Hijaz, so that I write a letter to Ibn Ziyad. If you wish, you can also write to Yazid; that might help the situation end in peace. To me this seems better than getting involved in a battle against you.”

After this, Imam al-Husayn (a) and his caravan took the route of ‘Udhayb and Qadisiyya; and Hurr, along his army, followed them.

Although Hurr did not have the order to start a war with the Imam, the possibility of military confrontation had been worrying him from the start. It is even reported that he warned the Imam about the fatal result of such a war. Frequently and whenever suited, he would tell Imam al-Husayn (a): “by God please save your sacred soul, for I am sure if a war takes place, you will be killed.” To this concern the Imam replied by reciting a poem, saying he is not afraid of death and martyrdom for the sake of God.

In ‘Udhayb, four Shia from Kufa joined Imam al-Husayn (a). Hurr intended to arrest or send them back to Kufa, but the Imam prevented him. They told the Imam about the tense situation in Kufa, the martyrdom of Qays b. Musahhar al-Saydawi (Imam’s envoy to Kufa) and the preparation of a great army to confront the Imam.

Second of Muharram was the deadline of Hurr’s agreement with Imam al-Husayn (a). Both Imam’s caravan and Hurr’s army had arrived at a village called Naynawa when the Hurr received a letter from Ibn Ziyad, ordering him to pressure the Imam and stop him and his companions in a plain area that has no water or tree. It was written in Ibn Ziyad’s letter to Hurr: “upon the arrival of my messenger and receiving my letter, take it hard on al-Husayn and never let him camp unless in a dry and treeless land. I have commanded my messenger not to leave you alone till he brings me the news about the fulfillment of my order. End.” Hurr came to Imam al-Husayn (a) and read Ibn Ziyad’s letter for him. Imam said: let us camp in Naynawa or Ghadiriyya.”

Being caught in a dilemma and feeling the surveillance of Ibn Ziyad’s messenger, Hurr stopped Imam’s caravan and refused their suggestion to camp in the nearby village Naynawa (or Ghadiriyya or Suqayh). Having no exit, the Imam’s caravan camped in Karbala (according to some reports, close to the village ‘Aqr) near Euphrates. Zuhayr told Imam al-Husayn (a): “by God I feel that after this, it turns even harder on us, O’ son of Allah’s Apostle! Now fighting this group (Hurr and his soldiers) is easier for us than fighting those who come after this group, I swear by my own life that there will come a group after this whom we can’t stand against.” The Imam replied: “you are right Zuhayr, but I won’t be the one who starts the war.”

Imam al-Husayn (a) moved with Hurr and reached Karbala, Hurr and his soldiers stood against Imam’s caravan and stopped them from any further move. Hurr said: “camp here, for Euphrates is close by.” Imam asked: “What’s the name of this land?” they replied: “Karbala …” Imam al-Husayn (a) came down from his horse. Hurr and his soldiers camped nearby. Upon the settlement of Imam’s caravan in Karbla, Hurr wrote to Ibn Ziyad and informed him about their situation.

Hurr’s Repentance on the Day of ‘Ashura

Although Hurr was serious, his behavior with the Imam was respectful. Even once, he mentioned the special reverence for Imam’s mother, Lady Fatima al-Zahra (s).

On the day of ‘Ashura ‘Umar b. Sa’d lined up his army and appointed commanders for all sections. He appointed Hurr b. Yazid al-Riyahi as the commander of Banu Tamim and Banu Hamdan. After military arrangements, the army prepared to fight Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions.

When noticed the serious will of ‘Umar b. Sa’d to confront Imam al-Husayn (a), Hurr went to him and asked: “do you really want to fight with this man (Imam al-Husayn (a))?” Umar replied: “yes, by God I will start a war the lightest [part] of which is dropping heads and chopping hands.” Hurr asked: “weren’t his suggestions good enough for you?” Umar b. Sa’d replied: had it been up to me, I would have accepted, yet the commander (Ibn Ziyad) did not accept.”

Then Hurr distanced from ‘Umar b. Sa’d and went to a corner of the army and little by little, got close to the other side. Muhajir b. Aws – a member in Umar’s army- asked Hurr: ‘do you want to attack?” Hurr did not reply and was shaking. Muhajir became suspicious and said: “by God I have never seen you in any war like this, if I was asked who the bravest man of Kufa was, certainly I wouldn’t miss your name. Now, what is this state I see you in?” Hurr said: “truly I see myself between paradise and hellfire; and by God, if I get torn apart and burned, I will not choose anything but paradise.” Upon saying this, Hurr directed his horse toward the campsite of Imam al-Husayn (a).

It is reported that he went to the Imam showing his regret. He asked for forgiveness and said that he had never imagined the situation would end up in actual war. Imam al-Husayn (a) requested God’s forgiveness for him and said: “You are Hurr (a freeman) in this world and in the hereafter.” In another report, Hurr, while carrying his war shield upside-down, entered the campsite of Imam al-Husayn (a), he went to the Imam and said: “may I be your sacrifice O son of Allah’s Apostle, I am the one who prevented you to go back (to your hometown) and I kept being with you so that you had to camp in this land, I had never imagined they would turn down your suggestions and get you caught in such a fate, by God if I’d known the situation would end up here, I would have never gotten involved in it. Now I repent to God from what I have done, would my repentance be accepted?”

The Imam replied: “yes, your repentance is accepted.”

Reasons of Repentance

The change that happened for this high ranking commander of Ibn Ziyad’s army is so strange that some have suggested that Hurr might have heard a call from heaven or had an honest dream. Regardless of its accuracy, such assumption does not disvalue Hurr’s difficult and critical decision. Some of his words before joining the camp of Imam al-Husayn (a) show his free choice in that decision, like this phrase: “truly I see myself between paradise and hellfire, and by God, if I get torn apart and burned, I will not choose anything but paradise.”

Speech and Preaching Ibn Ziyad’s Army

After repentance, Hurr turned toward Ibn Ziyad’s army and addressed them: “O people! Haven’t the suggestions given by al-Husayn (a) prevented you from fighting with him?” they said: “tell your word to ‘Umar b. Sa’d.” Hurr repeated the same question for ‘Umar, he replied: “I am eager to fight al-Husayn (a) and if I had any other choice, I would do that.” Then Hurr addressed the army: “O people of Kufa, may your mother grieve over you! Did you summoned this good man to yourselves and said you will help him to fight his enemies, now he has come to you, you refrain from helping him, and have lined up against him and want to kill him? You have grabbed his soul, won’t let him breathe, surrounded him from every angle and prevented him from going to the vast cities and lands of God, in such a way that he is like a captive in your hands, he cannot do anything positive for himself nor protect himself from harms, and you have prevented him and his family and children from drinking the water of Euphrates, from which Jews and Christians and Magus drink and in which black pigs and dogs swim, to the point that he has lost his energy due to thirst; how badly you observe and respect the right of (Prophet) Muhammad (s) in his progeny! May God not quench your thirst on the day of thirst (resurrection).” At this point, the archers in Umar’s army throw arrows toward him and he retreated and stood in front of Imam al-Husayn (a).

Martyrdom

There was not a long time between Hurr’s repentance and his martyrdom. According to one report, Hurr requested Imam to give him permission to be the first warrior and martyr, as he’d been the first to stand against him.

Shortly after joining Imam’s camp, Hurr went to the battlefield and after his word with Umar b. Sa’d and his army, attacked them while reciting Rajaz, after several rounds of combat, he was martyred. He fought bravely and even though his horse was injured and was bleeding from forehead and ears, he kept reciting Rajaz and attacking the enemy on the same horse. He killed more than forty members of Umar’s army. Then the infantry part of the army rushed to him at once and martyred him. It’s been reported that two individuals killed him, Ayyub b. Musarrah and a horseman from Kufa.

However, some other reports indicate that shortly before the noon and after the martyrdom of Habib b. Muzahir, Hurr together with Zuhayr b. Qin went to the battlefield and attacked the enemy. They supported each other in the fight and whenever one of them was surrounded by the enemy, the other would help him out. They were continuously fighting until Hurr was martyred and Zuhayr came back. Other companions brought the body of Hurr, Imam al-Husayn (a) sat beside his body, wiped off the blood on his face and said: “you are [truly] Hurr (a freeman), like the way your mother has named you, you are a freeman both in this world and in the hereafter.”

Imam al-Husayn (a) fastened a piece of cloth over Hurr’s head.

Children, Brothers

According to some sources, Hurr’s children, his brother and his slave, joined Imam al-Husayn’s camp along Hurr and were martyred in the battle of ‘Ashura. However, these reports are not reliable since none of early sources have mentioned them.

Descendants

There are some reports about the descendants of Hurr. Throughout history, two famous families are known to be descendants of Hurr: the Mustawfis of Qazwin, Hamd Allah Mustawfi the well-known Iranian historian is from this family; and Al Hurr in the region Jabal al-‘Amil in Lebanon, one of the most famous figures of this family is Shaykh Hurr al-‘Amili, the author of the reputable book, Wasa’il al-Shia.

Burial

According to Sayyid Muhsin Amin, when some members of the tribe Banu Asad were burying the bodies of Karbala martyrs, some members of Hurr’s tribe didn’t allow them to bury his body with the rest of the martyrs, and buried Hurr’s body in a further location, which was called Nawawis at the time. Therefore, his body was buried at a distance of around one league from the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a). Presently, the tomb of Hurr is located far from Imam al-Husayn’s shrine, around 7 kilometers to the west.

the Story of Exhumation

In the tenth hijri century, the grave of Hurr had been known and it is reported that Shah Isma’il the first, of Safavid dynasty, built a dome over it.

In one account, it is reported that after he conquered Iraq and went to Karbala, the king became suspicious about the story of Hurr and his tomb. To investigate its truth, he ordered to exhume Hurr’s grave. Upon the exhumation, they saw a body wearing bloody clothes and the wounds were still fresh. There was a sword-made wound on his head and a piece of cloth was fastened over it. Since it had been reported in historical sources that this cloth belonged to Imam al-Husayn (a) and he had fasted it over Hurr’s head, the king ordered to open it and replace it with another piece of cloth. However, when they opened it, the wound started bleeding, they fastened it with another piece of cloth but the flow of blood did not stop. Inevitably, they fastened the same piece of cloth that belonged to Imam al-Husayn (a) and the blood stopped. The king only took a little part of that cloth … and ordered to build a more respectful shrine over the tomb of Hurr.

Repair and Expansion

During Qajar period, the Mother of Aqa Khan Mahallati financed the repair of Hurr’s tomb, and built a castle-like courtyard around it, so that visitors can seek refuge in it against bandits. In 1325 hijri, Husayn Khan Shuja’ Sultan repaired the tomb of Hurr, and in 1330, Sayyid ‘Abd al-Husayn Keliddar, repaired the balcony of the building.

Today, this shrine is located several kilometers far from Imam al-Husayn’s Holy Shrine to the west, with a dome upon it, however, there are doubts regarding the authenticity of this place. Some believe Hurr had been buried along other martyrs, near the holy tomb of Imam al-Husayn (a), but Sayyid Muhsin Amin believes the reputation and public respect for this shrine is not baseless.

Hurr has been mentioned in Ziyara al-Nahiyya al-Muqaddasa in the following phrase: Peace be upon Hurr b. al-Riyahi.