Tuesday, February 3, 2009

CASUALITIES OF KARBALA

  • Descendants of Abu Talib
    Descendants of Ali ibn Abu Talib
    Imam Husayn ibn Ali, Chief of the Army and the grandson of Muhammad
    Abbas ibn Ali, a half-brother of Husayn and the Commander of the Army
    Ali Akber ibn Husayn, a son of Husayn and Umm Laila
    Ali Asghar ibn Hussain, the six-month-old son of Husayn and Rubab
    Umar ibn Ali, a half-brother of Husayn and full brother of Abbas ibn Ali
    Jafer ibn Ali
    Usman ibn Ali, brother of Abbas
    Abu Bakr ibn Ali
    Abu Bakr ibn Hasan ibn Ali
    Qasim ibn Hasan ibn Ali
    Qasim ibn Abbasibn Ali
    Fazal ibn Abbas ibn Ali
    Abd Allah ibn Hassan ibn Ali
    Aun ibn Abdullah ibn Jafar, the son of Zaynab bint Ali
    Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Jafar, son of Zaynab bint Ali

  • Descendants of Ali's brothers
    Mohammad Bin Abdullah ibn Jafar, the son of the other wife of Abdullah
    Abdullah ibn Muslim ibn Aqeel
    Mohammad ibn Muslim ibn Aqeel
    Mohammad Bin Saeed
    Abd al-Rahman Bin Aqeel
    Jafar ibne Aqeel ibn Abi Taleb

  • Casualties from the Bani Asad clan
    Uns Bin Hars Asadi
    Habib ibn Muzahir Asadi, the commander of the left flank
    Muslim Bin Ausaja Asadi
    Qais Bin Masher Asadi
    Abu Samama Umru Bin Abdullah
    Borair Zibe Khozair-e- Hamdani
    Amer Bin Abdullah Hamdani
    Shabeeb, a liberated slave of Hars Jabiri Hamadani
    Hanala Bin Asad
    Abis Shakri
    Abdul Rehman Arhbi
    Saif Bin Hars
    Malik, the cousin of Saif Bin Hars
    Mauq' bin Thamamah Asadi
    Habshi bin Qais-e-Nahmi

  • Casualties from the Jahni
    Junada Bin Hars
    Majma Bin Abdullah
    Nafey Bin Halal Jamali
    Hajjaj Bin Masrooq, Mu'ezzin of the camp of Hussain

  • Ansari Casualties
    Umer Bin Qarza
    Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Rab Khazrji
    Junada Bin Kab
    Amer Bin Janada ibn Kab
    Naeem Bin Ajlan
    Abdul Hatoof Ansary
    a brother of Abdul Hatoof

  • Bijli and Khas-ami
    Zuhayr ibn Qayn, the commander of the right flank
    Salman Bin Mazarib, the cousin of Zuhayr
    Saeed Bin Umer
    Abdullah Bin Basheer

  • Kandi and Ghaffari
    Yazid Bin Zaid Kandi
    Harb Bin Umr-ul-Qais
    Zaheer Bin Amer
    Basheer Bin Amer
    Abdullah Arwah Gahffari
    Jhon, slave of Abu Zar Ghaffari
    Abdul Rahman ibn Orawah bin Harraq
    Abdullah ibn Orawah bin Harraq
    Zavir bin Amr al Kandi

  • Kalbi
    Abdullah Bin Ameer (Omair)
    Wife of Abduallah bin Omair Kalbi, Woman who was killed at Karbala
    Abdul Aala Bin Yazeed
    Saleem Bin Ameer

  • Azdi
    Qasim Bin Habib
    Zaid Bin Saleem
    Noman Bin Umer
    Muslim bin Katheer
    Rafe',the liberated slave of Muslim Azdi

  • Tai and Taymi
    Jabir Bin Hajjaji
    Abd al-Rahman bin Mas'ood Taymi
    Baker Bin Haee
    Ammar Bin Hassan Tai
    Mas'ood Bin Hajjaji Taymi
    Habib bin Amir-e-Taymi

  • Abdi
    Yazeed Bin Sabeet
    Amir Bin Muslim
    Saif Bin Malik
    Abde Qais
    Abdullah bin Zaid
    Obaidullah bin Zaide
    Adhan ibn Omayya

  • Taghleebi
    Zurghama Bin Malik
    Kanana Bin Ateeq
    Qasith ibn Zuhair al-Taghlabi
    Kardoos ibn Zuhair al-Taghlabi
    Musqit ibn Zuhair al-Taghlabi

  • Jahani and Tameemi
    Aqaba Bin Sult

  • Others

  • These names are mentioned also.
    Jibilath ibne Ali Shaibani
    Yazid bin Maghfal Ja'fi
    Nasr bin Naizar, A liberated slave of Amirul-Momineen
    Qan'ab an Namri
    Kannah Taghlabi
    Ammara ibn Salama al Daalani
    Amr ibn Hasan Talee
    Amr ibn Ha'b Abu Thamama al Sa'idi
    Amr ibn Abdullah-e-Jundayi
    Amir bin Muslim at Badi Basri
    Salim, liberated slave of Muslim at Badi
    Aabis ibne Abi Shabeeb-e-Shakiri
    Shaneb Shakiri
    Suwaid bin Amro bin Abil Mataa al Anmari al Khash'mi
    Sawar bin Manyim-e-Nahmi
    Sayeed bin Abdullah Hanafi, When Imam Husayn wanted to pray at noon he stood in front of Imam as barrier
    Ziad bin Areeb al Sa'idi
    Aslam, the liberated slave of Imam Husayn
    Qarib, The son of a liberated slave girl of Imam Husayn
    Munjeh, the liberated slave of Imam Hassan
    Sa'd - the liberated slave of Amro bin Khalid
    Sa'd the liberated slave of Amirul-Momineen Ali
    Salim the liberated slave of Amire Abdi
    Hars, The liberated slave of hazrat Hamza
    Hanzala bin As'adus-Shabami
    Hallas bin Amro' ar Rasibi
    Hajjaji bin Badr as S'di
    Jundab bin Mujee al Khaulani
    Omayyabib Sa'd at Tale
    Anas bin Hars-e-Kahili

  • Miscellaneous Deaths
    Qanab Bin Umer
    Ghulam-e-Turki, servant of the fourth Shia Imam, Ali ibn Husayn


Those joined Imam from the enemy Army
Hur Bin Yazeed Tameemi, He was one of the commanders of Umayuid army and joind Imam with six others including his two sons
Aaiz bin Majama'al Aazi, He joined Imam with Hur
Amr ibn Khalid-e- Saidavi and three others
Hars bin Amarul Qais-e-Kandi, Along with him three others joined Imam
Omer bin Zabi'ah Az Zabiyee
Abdul Rahman bin Mas'ood at Taimi
Abdullah bin Bushr Khash'ami
Saad Bin Hars
Abul hatoof bin Hars
Jaun bin Malike Tameemi

BATTLE OF KARBALA CONTD...III DEATH OS ALI ASGHAR AND IMAM HUSSAIN A.S

Death of Abbas ibn Ali

Husayn ibn Ali advanced toward Euphrates branch along a dyke and his brother Abbas ibn Ali was moving ahead of him. They had planned to bring some water to tents. But ibn Sa'ad army prevents them and one of them hit Husayn on his chin with an arrow. Husayn pulled out the arrow and stopped further advance enabling him to cover Abbas and protect the tents at the same time. Abbas ibn Ali continued his advance into the heart of ibn Sa'ad's army.[24] He was under heavy shower of arrows but was able to penetrate them and get to the branch leaving heavy casualties from the enemy. He immediately started filling the water skin. In a remarkable and immortal gesture of loyalty to his brother and Muhammad's grandson he didn't drink any water despite being severely thirsty. He put the water skin on his right shoulder and started riding back toward their tents. Amr Saad ordered an outright assault on Abbas ibn Ali saying that if Abbas succeeds in taking water back to his camp, we won't be able to defeat them till the end of time. A massive enemy army blocked his way and surrounded him. He was ambushed from behind a bush and his right hand was cut off. Abbas put the water skin on his left shoulder and continued his way but his left hand also cut off from wrist. Abbas was now held the water skin with his teeth. The army of ibn Sa'ad started shooting arrows at him. One arrow hit the water skin and water poured out of it. One arrow hit his chest and Abbas fell off his horse and called his brother just before his death.

Death of the infant son of Husayn

When nobody was left in Imam Hussain’s camp. Imam Hussain cried for help by saying ” Is there anyone who can help me? ”. Hearing this call Imam Hussain’s six-month-old baby dropped himself from the cot. Imam Hussain only realizes and comes to know about this when he hears the women crying and wailing. He goes to the tent and asks his sister Zainab what was the reason for them to cry and she said that after hearing your call for help Ali Asghar has dropped himself from his cot. He then asks Abdullah Alradea’s mother to dress ali asghar up in new clothes because he wants to take him to the battlefield so that he can ask some water for his child. Abdullah Alradea’s mother hands him over to Imam Hussain. Imam Hussain then takes Abdulla Alradea towards the enemies camp. After getting near the enemies camp he cries out “ Is there anyone who can give some water to my thirsty child? ”. When no one comes forward he again pleaded and said “ Ok if you think that I will drink the water then fine I will put my son down on the burning sand anyone who wants to give him water can come forward and do it so”. Imam Hussain puts his son down on the burning sand and waits ….. but no one comes forward. He then picks him up and at that moment Abdullah Alradea starts to roll over his tongue over his lips to convey to yazeed’s army that he really was thirsty. Seeing this many in Yazeed’s army started crying but Yazeed was unfazed by it he sent for his best archer Hurmula and orders him to take aim and shoot an arrow towards Ali Asghar’s direction. He takes aim and launches an arrow, which struck Abdullah Alradea on his throat and kills him instantly.

Death of Husayn ibn Ali

Husayn ibn Ali offered single battle to the enemy. He killed everybody that fought him in single battles. He demonstrated extreme courage and bravery, forced the enemy into retreat frequently and killed a great number of opponents. Husayn and earlier his son Ali Akbar were the two warriors who penetrated and dispersed the core of Ibn-Saad's army (Qalb-e-Lashkar), a sign of extreme chaos in traditional warfare. Husayn advanced very deep in the back ranks of the Syrian army. When the enemies stood between him and the tents he shouted:

"Woe betide you oh followers of Abu Sufyan's dynasty! If no religion has ever been accepted by you and you have not been fearing the resurrection day then be liberal in your world ..." Then his enemies invaded back toward him.

He was continuously invading them and they were continuously invading him and . Until his numerous injuries caused him to stay a moment. At this time he was hit on his forehead with a stone. He was cleaning blood from his face while he was hit on the heart with arrow and he said: "In the name of Allah, and by Allah, and on the religion of the messenger of Allah." Then he raised his head up and said: "Oh my God! You know that they are killing a man that there is no son of daughter of a prophet (Husayn is son of Fatimah bint Muhammad) on the earth except him" Then he grasped the arrow and pulled it out of his chest from behind which caused heavy bleeding. He became very weak to fight and halted and the soldiers approaching him were giving up confronting him, until a soldier approached him while cursing and hit him on his head with his sword. The enemies halted for a while and then returned and surrounded him. At this time Abd-Allah ibn Hasan, who was an underage boy, escaped from the tents and ran until arrived beside Husayn. When a soldier intended to hit Husayn with his sword, Abd-Allah ibn Hasan defended his uncle with his arm which caused it to be cut and hanged. Husayn hugged him but the boy was hit on his neck with an arrow.Husayn became very weak due to his heavy injuries and hits by arrows. One of the bowmen hit him on his pelvis with a spear and Husayn fell off his horse and dropped to the ground on his face. Umar ibn Sa'ad ordered a man to dismount and to finish the job. But Khowali ibn Yazid al-Asbahiy preceded the man but feared and did not do it. Then Shimr ibn Dhiljawshan dismounted his horse and cut Husayn's throat with sword. Shimr ibn Dhiljawshan was saying: "I swear by God that I am raising your head while I know that you are son of the messenger of Allah and the best of the people by father and mother" when he raised head of Husayn ibn Ali on a spear. The inb Sa'ad's men looted all the valuables from Husayn's body, leaving it semi-naked. The army of Ibn Sa'ad rushed to loot the tents. The daughters of Mohammad's family were expelled from the tents unveiled and barefooted, while weeping and crying for their slain relatives. The army set all the tents on fire. The women were asking: "By God if you pass us from beside the site of the murder of Husayn." And when they saw the martyrs and wailed and hit their face. Then Sukayna bint Husayn (Death, 117 AH) embraced her father's body until some people dragged her off his body Umar ibn Sa'ad called volunteer horsemen to trample Husayn's body. Ten horsemen trampled his body such that his chest and back were ground.

Aftermath
Umar ibn Sa'ad sent Husayn's head to ibn Ziyad on Ashura afternoon and ordered to sever heads of his comrades to send them to Kufa. The heads were distributed to various tribes enabling them to gain favor of ibn Ziyad. Ibn Sa'ad remained in Karbala until the next noon After ibn Sa'ad's army went out of Karbala, some people from Banu Asad tribe came there and buried the dead bodies in the place where they are now locatedOn Muharram 11 (October 11, 680 CE), all captives including all women and children were then loaded onto camels without neither saddle nor sunshade and were moved toward Kufa. And when they approached Kufa, its people gathered to see them. Some women of Kufa gathered veils for them upon knowing that they are relatives of Muhammad. Among the captives were Ali ibn Husayn, who was gravely ill, as well as Hasan ibn Hasan al-Muthanna, who was seriously injured in the battle of KarbalA Zainab bint Ali pointed at the people to be quiet. Everybody halted and kept silent. Then she addressed the people of Kufa:
"The praise is exclusively attributed to Allah. And greetings to my father (grand father), Muhammad, and to his pure and benevolent family. And then, Oh people of Kufa! Oh deceitful and reneger people! Do you weep? So let tears not be dried and let groans not be finished. ... Beware, such a bad preparation you have made for yourself that Allah became furious of you and you will be at punishment forever. Do you weep and cry? Yeah, by Allah, do weep numerously and do laugh less! Since you brought its shame and fault on yourself and you will not be able to cleanse it forever. ..."
And also Fatima al-Sughra, Umm-Kulthoum bint Ali and Ali ibn Husayn delivered speeches to Kufans All lectures caused a deep sorrow of the people. During the journey from Karbala to Kufa, and from Kufa to Damascus, Husayn's sister Zaynab bint Ali and son Ali Abid ibn Husayn gave various speeches that exposed the truth about Yazid and told the Muslim world of the various atrocities committed in Karbala. After being brought to Yazid's court, Zaynab courageously gave a famous speech in which she denounced Yazid's claim to the caliphate and eulogized Husayn's uprising. The prisoners were held in Damascus for a year. The people of Damascus began to frequent the prison, and Zaynab and Ali ibn Husayn used that as an opportunity to further propagate the message of Husayn and explain to the people the reason for Husayn's uprising. As public opinion against Yazid began to foment in Syria and parts of Iraq, Yazid ordered their release and return to Medina, where they continued to tell the world of Husayn's cause and Yazid's atrocities.
Account of the battle accepted by western academics
Encyclopædia Britannica narrates the story in the following way: A police force, consisting of a several thousand men, plus 500 archers, surrounded the family and supporters of Husayn ibn Ali. The battle ended with the deaths of Husayn and his entire military force John Esposito states that the "brave and charismatic" grandson of Muhammad was trying to regain power and reinstate the true values of IslamMany of the details attributed to the event are disputed. For example, the Encyclopædia Britannica states that "the facts gradually acquired a romantic and spiritual coloring."

BATLLE OF KARBALA...CONTINUED II

Clash with vanguards
Husayn was two days' journey away from Kufa when he was intercepted by the vanguard of Yazid's army; about 1000 men led by Hurr ibn Yazid Al-Riyahi. Husayn asked: "With us or against us?" Hurr replied: "Of course against you, oh Aba Abd Allah!" Husayn said: "... So if you are different from what I received from your letters and from your messengers then I will return to where I came from." Hurr refused Husayn's request of his return to Medina and told him: "No, but select a way neither toward Kufa nor Madina enabling me to find a pretense before ibn Ziyad that you would have disagreed with me on the way." After receiving a threatening letter from ibn Ziyad to halt them, Hurr prevented Husayn from moving to any direction and let them know the new order from ibn Ziyad. Then Husayn ibn Ali gave a speech to his companions and said:
"... It has happened from the events what you have seen. And the world has been changed and become abominable and its goodness turns ... Don't you see that the truth is not put into action and the false is not prohibited? The believer has got to be fond of meeting his God justly. So I do not consider the death but blessedness and living with the oppressors other than abjectness." Some of his followers asserted their loyalty and he started moving. Hurr was continuously preventing them to move further or was making them deviate from their way.
Husayn ibn Ali, his family and his supporters arrived at Karbala on Muharram 2, 61AH (October 2, 680 CE). He was forced to pitch a camp on dry, bare land and Hurr stationed his army nearby. Ibn Ziyad appointed Umar ibn Sa'ad to command the battle against Husayn ibn Ali. Umar ibn Sa'ad was not a military man but he was famous for being a clergyman. At first he rejected the leadership of the army but he accepted after Ibn Ziyad threatened to depose him from the governorship of Ray city. Umar ibn Sa'ad moved towards the battlefield with a 4000 men army and arrived at Karbala on Muharram 3, 61AH (October 3, 680 CE). Ibn Ziyad was continuously sending reinforcements to his army such that they became a 20,000 army on Muharram 6, 61AH[17]. It finally reached around 30,000 horsemen and infantrymen. Ibn Ziyad asked Shabath ibn Reb'ei, also another clergyman of Kufa, to join Umar ibn Sa'ad. At first he feigned illness but finally accepted. He together with 1000 horseman was dispatched toward Karbala.

Water blockade

Ibn Ziyad sent a brief letter to Umar ibn Sa'd that commanded: "Prevent Husayn and his disciples from accessing water and do not allow them to drink a drop of water; the same as Uthman was treated." In this letter he falsely accused Husayn and his father of being responsible for what rebels did with Uthman before. On Muharram 7 (October 7, 680 CE), ibn Sa'ad ordered 500 horsemen to cut Husayn's camp off from the Euphrates to stop them from accessing water. The camp now had no supply of water and the enemy hoped to force Husayn to surrender on account of thirst. One of the disciples of Husayn ibn Ali asked Husayn's permission to negotiate with Umar ibn Sa'ad about obtaining access to water and Husayn accepted. He met Umar ibn Sa'ad but ibn Sa'ad refused to allow Husayn access to any water. Husayn ibn Ali ordered his half brother Abbas ibn Ali to conduct a night mission to the Euphrates to get water. Abbas ibn Ali with 30 horsemen and 20 infantrymen carrying 20 water skins advanced toward the front lines of the enemy Euphrates by night. The infantrymen quickly destroyed the formation of 500 enemy horsemen and succeeded in filling their water skins but they were counter attacked by a massive brigade on their way back. Abbas ibn Ali and his horsemen managed to stop their enemies and his infantrymen rejoined Husayn's army. Miraculously there were no casualties in Husayn's army even though the entire battlion of 500 horsemen had been decimated. This prompted Ibn-e-Saad to increase the guard on Euphrates from 500 to 3000. The water blockade continued up to the end of the battle on Muharram 10 night (October 10, 680 CE).

Reconciliation negotiations

Overnight negotiations between Husayn ibn Ali and Umar ibn Sa'ad has been reported. Husayn was trying to cause ibn Sa'ad to change his mind. Finally Umar ibn Sa'ad agreed to Husayn's proposal that the siege be lifted so that Husayn, his family, and his companions could leave Iraq. He sent word to ibn Ziyad, asking him to ratify the offer. Ibn Ziyad liked the proposal, but another Umayyad grandee, Shimr ibn Dhil-Jawshan, vetoed it and advised ibn Sa'ad to offer surrender to Husayn. Ibn Ziyad sent letter to Umar ibn Sa'ad and ordered him to destroy Husayn if he do not surrender or be dismissed from all services and Shimr ibn Dhil-Jawshan will lead the army. Shimr delivered the letter to ibn Sa'ad in Karbala. Ibn Sa'ad showed his protest against Shimr's idea since he was sure that Husayn will never surrender. But accepted orders of ibn Ziyad and appointed Shimr as commander of infantrymen.

Choice between life and death

On the 9th of Muharram (October 9, 680 CE) which is called Tasua'a, the Husayn camp was completely besieged and had exhausted its water. Their only choice was between surrender or death. Shimr ibn Dhil-Jawshan approached the camp of Husayn ibn Ali and yelled: "Where are my nephews Abd-Allah, Ja'far, Abbas and Uthman?" He described the sons of Ali ibn Abi Talib from Fatima binte Hizam, nicknamed Umm-al-Banin, as his nephews since Umm-al-Banin was from his tribe. They replied and Shimr said: "You nephews of mine; you are in protection and do not be murdered for the sake of Husayn and obey the chief of the believers, Yazid." But all of them refused to leave Husayn ibn Ali and Shimr went away angrily. Umar ibn Sa'ad received an order from ibn Ziyad to start the battle immediately and not to postpone it further. The army started stealthily advancing toward Husayn's camp on the afternoon of Tasua'a. At this time Husayn sent Abbas ibn Ali to ask ibn Sa'ad for another delay, until the next morning, so that he and his men could spend the night praying. Ibn Sa'ad agreed the respite. Husayn then told his men that he did not intend to surrender, but to fight. Since they were so heavily outnumbered by the enemy, all of them were sure to die. On the night before the battle, Husayn gathered his men and told them that they were all free to leave the camp in the middle of the night, under cover of darkness, rather than face certain death if they stayed with him. None of Husayn's men wished to defect. Instead they stated their wish to be killed repeatedly in the name of Husayn if they were brought back to life by Allah. Husayn and his followers held a vigil to pray all night. Some guards from ibn Sa'ad's army who were patrolling that night joined Husayn's army. They were said to be as many as 32 men. Husayn ibn Ali ordered his fighters to dig a trench around their tents by night and to fill it with firewood and dried shrubs to prevent the enemy from flanking them or infiltrating the camp. Only one passage was left open. Ibn Sa'ad's army did not notice this activity till next morning.

Day of battle


On Muharram 10 called Ashura, Husayn ibn Ali prayed Morning Prayer with his companions. He appointed Zuhayr ibn Qayn to command the right flank, Habib ibn Muzahir to command the left flank and his half-brother Abbas ibn Ali as standard bearer of his army. Also he ordered to set the trench around their tents on fire. The companions of Husayn ibn Ali were 32 horsemen and 40 infantrymen. According to another tradition from Mohammad ibn Ali, they were 45 horsemen and 100 infantrymen. On the other side, Umar ibn Sa'ad reorganized his army and nominated various commanders among them were Hurr ibn Yazid as commander of men from Tamim and Hamdan tribes, Shimr ibn Dhil-Jawshan as commander of left flank and Shabath ibn Reb'ei as commander of infantrymen.


Lectures prior to engagement


Burayr ibn Khudhayr, Zuhayr ibn Qayn and Husayn ibn Ali made speeches to the Kufan army immediately before the military engagement. They were trying to exhort the Kufans not to fight Husayn and remind them of their invitations letters as well as Husayn's family tie with Muhammad. Husayn ibn Ali addressed:
"... Lo and behold; an ignoble (i.e ibn Ziyad), son of other ignoble (i.e. Ziyad ibn Abihi), has entangled me in a bifurcation, between either unsheathing the swords or accepting abjectness. And far be it that we accept abjectness. Allah abominates that for us, plus his proph­et, believers, the chaste pure gentlewomen, those who do not accept oppression as well as the souls who do not submit to meanness abominate it. They disapprove that we prefer obedience of scrooges to the best sites of murder. Beware; I assault you together with this family while they are few and when the helpers deserted. ...


The battle starts
Ibn Sa'ad advanced
and fired an arrow at Husayn's army, saying: "Give evidence before emir that I was the first thrower." Then his army started showering Husayn's army with weapons. Both sides began fighting. Successive assaults resulted in the death of a group of Husayn's companions. Then Husayn ibn Ali called the people around him to join him for the sake of Allah and to defend Muhammed’s family. His speech affected Hurr ibn Yazid Al-Riyahi, the commander of the Tamim and Hamdan tribes who had stopped Husayn from his journey. He abandoned ibn Sa'ad and galloped his horse to Husayn's small force and told him: "May I be sacrificed in your place! I am the one who prevented you from returning and severely treated you. I swear by Allah, I did not know they were going to do in this way. And now I am returning to Allah. So, do you think if any return can be imagined for me?" Husayn replied: "Yes. Allah will return to you. So, dismount." Then Hurr asked Husayn to let him to fight to the death. Afterwards Husayn cleaned dust from his face when he found his corpse and said: "You are noble in this world and the next, as your mother named you." The first skirmish was between the right flank of Husayn ibn Ali's army with the left of the Syrian army. Astonishingly 32 men under the command of Zuhayr ibn Qain inflicted a major defeat on at least 4000 men. They quickly retreated and broke the pre-war pact of not using arrows & lances. This pact was made in view of the small number (72) of Husayn's companions. Thereafter almost all of Husayn ibn Ali's companions were killed (including Husayn's infant boy Ali Asghar) by the onslaught of arrows or lances. In order to prevent random and indiscriminate showering of arrows on Husayn's camp which had women and children in it, Husayn's followers went out to single combats. Men like Burayr ibn Khudhayr, Muslim ibn Ausaja and Habib ibn Muzahir were slain in the fighting. They were attempting to save Husayn's life by shielding him. Every casualty had a considerable effect on their military strength since they were vastly outnumbered to begin with. Husayn ibn Ali ordered Zuhayr ibn Qayn and Said ibn Abd-Allah to stand in front of him enabling him to say a Zohr prayer on the battlefield. They shielded him with their bodies until Said ibn Abd-Allah was killed by multiple arrows. Historians say that Husayn's companions were coming, one by one, to say goodbye to him, even in the midst of battle. They reassured him that: "... We are following you" and adding: "And among them (believers) is one who fulfilled his vow, and among them is one who waits (to fulfill their vows). And they did not change (their vows), any change"[


Death of the men from Banu Hashim


After almost all of Husayn's companions were killed, his relatives asked his permission to fight. The men of Banu Hashim, the clan of Muhammed and Ali, went out one by one. Ali Akbar ibn Husayn, the youngest son of Husayn, was the first one who received permission from his father.[Casualties from Banu Hashim were sons of Ali ibn Abi Talib, sons of Hasan ibn Ali, Son of Husayn ibn Ali, Son of Abd-Allah ibn Ja'far ibn Abi-Talib and Zainab bint Ali, sons of Aqeel ibn Abi Talib, as well as a son of Muslim ibn Aqeel.

BATTLE OF KARBALA

The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, 61 AH (October 9 or 10, 680 CE in Karbala, in present day Iraq. On one side were supporters and relatives of Muhammad's grandson Husayn ibn Ali; on the other side was a military detachment from the forces of Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph. Husayn ibn Ali's group consisted of notable members of Muhammad's close relatives, around 72 men, of which some were either very old or very young. Husayn and some members of his group were accompanied by some of the women and children from their families. On the opposite side, the armed forces of Yazid I were led by Umar ibn Sa'ad and contained at least 40,000 men. Shia traditions state that Husayn ibn Ali's group killed over 20% of the enemy before being defeated. Husayn himself killed 900 soldiers, despite the fact that he was thirsty and hungry for 3 days. It is stated that he died to resurrect Islam. The battle field was a desert region located beside one of the branches of the Euphrates River. The battle resulted in the military defeat of Husayn ibn Ali's group, the death of almost all of his men, and the captivity of all women and children. The Battle of Karbala is one of the most significant battles in the history of Shia Muslims. This battle also had significant effects on formation of subsequent revolts against the Umayyad dynasty

The battle of Husayn ibn Ali is commemorated during an annual 10-day period held every Muharram, culminating on its tenth day, Ashura

The rule of the third Caliph Uthman concluded with a violent uprising especially against his close aides and cousins Marwan and Muawiya, both from the Ummayad clan. Uthman was killed and for many days rebels seized and occupied the city of Medina. Under the overwhelming pressure from the entire Ummah, Ali ibn Abi Talib took the caliphate. His immediate steps was to bring law and order which included the removing of notorious and illegal regional governors, most of whom were close relatives of Uthman. Muawiya who had already entrenched himself in Syria refused the allegiance to the rightful caliph. Muawiya's rebellion marked the first major strife in the mostly united Muslim community. This split resulted in three battles: the Camel, the Seffin, and the Nahrawan. Muawiya planned and financed a Kharijite to assassinate Ali ibn Abi Talib. In order to exonerate himself from that blame, he suggested that the plot included his own assassination, which he obviously escaped unscathed.


Umayyad dynasty appears

Hasan ibn Ali succeeded his father and started a military campaign against Muawiya I, but the insincerity of many tribes from Kufa became apparent and Muawiya bribed his way into many of the tribal leaders around Hasan ibn Ali to leave his army in disarray. Hasan ibn Ali eventually signed a conditional peace treaty with Muawiya I after receiving a promise that when Muawiya died, a Shura (a council of nobles to appoint the next caliph) would be held to find his successor. Based on the peace treaty, Hasan ibn Ali ceded power to Muawiya.
Caliphate turns into monarchy

Muawiya violated every single clause of the treaty which he signed with Hasan Ibn Ali. Most blatantly he tried to ensure that his son, Yazid I, would be planted as the next King, another major deviation from the general Islamic norms (Muawiya's rule marks the end of the islamic caliphate, even in sunni traditions and he is regarded as a usurper). Muawiya required all of his supporters to swear allegiance to Yazid before his death. By doing so, he disregarded the peace treaty with Hasan ibn Ali to hold Shura. When Muawiya died, some major Muslims such as Abdullah ibn Umar, Abdullah ibn Zubayr as well as Husayn ibn Ali refused to recognize Yazid I as the next caliph. This was the perfect opportunity for any parties opposing Umayyad to begin struggling for power.


Kufa's opposition to Damascus

Kufa, a garrison town in what is now Iraq, had been Ali's capital, and there were still many people in Kufa claiming they are still supporters of Ali. Husayn ibn Ali received many letters from the Kufans expressing their offer of support if he claimed the caliphate. They were also trying to restore Kufa's power against Damascus, the Umayyad capital.
Particulars of the event
The route of Husayn ibn Ali from Medina to Karbala is mentioned in various history books


Medina

Yazid, the new ruler, feared that Husayn would revolt. Therefore he sent a letter to Walid ibn Utbah, governor of Medina, and ordered him to take allegiance from Husayn or to kill him if he refrains. Walid consulted Marwan ibn al-Hakam and he advised Walid to kill Husayn since he will never accept Bay'ah with Yazid, but Walid did not accept this advice since he did not want to kill Husayn. Walid held a meeting with Husayn to convince him of Bay'ah with Yazid I but was refused. The day after, Marwan asked Husayn for Bay'ah. Husayn replied:
"... Say farewell to Islam while the Ummah is afflicted by a ruler such as Yazid. Since I have heard of my grandfather, prophet of God, who was saying: The Caliphate is forbidden for Abu Sufyan's descendants

Husayn departed Medina on Sha'ban 3, 60 AH (May 9, 680 CE) to perform the Hajj ritual.[12] More authentic reports tell us that Husayn bin Ali actually left Medina on the 28th day of Rajab in the 60th year of Hijra.
Mecca
Husayn ibn Ali stayed in Mecca from the beginnings of the Sha'ban and all of the Ramadan, Shawwal, as well as Dhu al-Qi'dah. When many letters came from Kufa assuring Husayn ibn Ali of Kufan support, he answered their calls and sent Muslim ibn Aqeel, his cousin, to Kufa as his representative in an attempt to consider their last situation and opinions. Abd-Allah ibn Abbas and Abdullah ibn Zubayr held a meeting with Husayn ibn Ali in Mecca to advise him to refuse to travel to Iraq. In another meeting, Abdullah ibn Umar asked him to reconcile with the strayed people and to prevent war. But he warned Abdullah ibn Umar not to stop supporting him. Meanwhile Husayn ibn Ali corresponded with nobles of Basrah and asked them to support him. Major tribes of Basrah gathered and got ready for fight against Yazid I and informed Husayn ibn Ali. At the same time Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad, governor of Basrah, executed one of the messengers of Husayn ibn Ali and then addressed people and warned them to avoid insurgency. Ibn Ziyad, governor of Basra and Kufa, left Basra toward Kufa next day, leaving his brother as deputy governor of Basra. Basrah rebels’ army never reached Husayn ibn Ali and they became aware of his martyrdom midway of Kufa. Considerable military units under Umar ibn Sa'ad entered Mecca to confront or attack Husayn ibn Ali on Tarwiyah day Husayn ibn Ali gave a speech to people the day before his departure and said:
"... The death is a certainty for mankind, just like the trace of necklace on the neck of young girls. And I am enamoured of my ancestors like eagerness of Jacob to Joseph ... Everyone, who is going to devote his blood for ours sake and is prepared to meet Allah, must depart with us
He also willed before his journey his half-brother Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah. Muhammad ibn Hanafiyyah was preventing him from going to Kufa knowing hypocrisy and insincerity of its people even with Ali. But Husayn departed toward Kufa to avoid the battle inside the holy city of Mecca. Husayn ibn Ali left Mecca toward Kufa with his family members plus some supporters on Dhu al-Hijjah 3 or 8, 60AH (September 4 or 9 September 680 CE). Husayn's representative to Kufa, Muslim ibn Aqeel were welcomed by the people of Kufa, and most of them swore allegiance to him. But he and his host, Hani ibn Urwa were executed by the new governor of the Kufa, Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad on Dhu al-Hijjah 9, 60AH (September 10, 680 CE) without any considerable resistance of the people. And almost all the Kufan supporters of Husayn turned into his enemies.

Toward Kufa
Husayn ibn Ali came across with a convoy in the Tan'im station carrying some gifts from the governor of Yemen for Yazid I. He confiscated all of their consignments and made the cameleers free to select between making a new contract with him and being paid for the amount of the way they had traveled so far. Some cameleers accompanied him.[15] He met with Boshr ibn Ghalib in the Zat-Erq station who was coming from Iraq and asked about his opinions about Iraq political situation. Boshr replied: "I left the hearts which are adherents of yours and the swords which are adherents of the Umayyad!” And Husayn confirmed his analysis and news. Zuhair ibn Qayn left Mecca toward his town at the same time but was trying to be away from convoy of Husayn ibn Ali due to the political disputes he had with Ali ibn Abi Talib before. After a while and passing away some stations, Zuhayr forced to camp near Husayn's camp caused by some limitations. At this time Husayn sent a messenger toward Zuhayr and called him for a meeting. Zuhayr's wife encouraged him to visit offspring of the Prophet. Zuhayr visited Husayn. After the meeting Zuhayr ordered to move his tent to Husayn's camp and asked his wife to leave him and told her: "I have decided to accompany Husayn in order to sacrifice myself for him and to shield him by my soul." The word came about the death of Muslim ibn Aqeel in Zobalah station. This news caused a great sorrow in the convoy. A group of fellow travelers left Husayn alone after that and only his family members and loyal followers remained with him. Husayn continued to advance toward Kufa even after receiving news of the loss of Kufan support. Now, nowhere is safe for him and for his family. Husayn sent Qais ibn Musahhar al-Saydavi as messenger toward nobles of Kufa, such as Solayman ibn Sorad al-khozaei. He was captured in the vicinity of Kufa but managed to tear the letter to pieces to hide names of its recipients. Ibn Ziyad forced him to reveal the names or publicly curse Husayn and his father and brother upon pain of death. He accepted the latter but cursed ibn Ziyad instead and encouraged people to join Husayn ibn Ali. Ibn Ziyad ordered his execution by dropping him from the top of the palace afterward.

karbala

HOLY CITY OF KARBALA, Iraq: Martyrdom Anniversary of Al-Imam Zein al-Abidin As-Sajjad (AS) was observed in the holy city of Karbala on Moharram 25.

hussains love for sakina

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Quaid-i-Millat-i-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi has said that the pious character of Hazrat Sakina Bint-ul-Hussain (S.A.) is the beacon of light for the daughters of religion and Sharia.

Azadari of Imam Hussain (AS) in Holland

Azadari of Imam Hussain (AS) in Holland

AMSTERDAM, Holland: To pay rich homage to unmatched and supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 faithful near and dear ones presented some 1,400 years ago in the hot plain of Karbala for defense of Islam and safety of high human values, Azadari (Hussaini mourning) was in continuation in Holland.

Value and rewards of Ziyarate Aashoora

What else could be a greater merit for Ziyarate Aashoora than to be the 'Word of Allah' (Hadithe Qudsi)? No other Ziyarat bears this eminence and superiority. The difference between the Holy Quran and Ziyarate Aashoora is the same as the difference between the Holy Quran and Hadithe Qudsi. If the words from Allah claim to be a miracle from the aspect of meaning and concept, then they are the verses of the Holy Quran. But if there is no claim of miracle from the aspect of meaning and concept, then these divine words are called as 'Hadithe Qudsi'. And if the concept is from Allah, but the words are those of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), then it is called as 'Hadith'. However there is no doubt that this Ziyarat is Hadithe Qudsi.

Bahrainis paying homage to Imam Hussein (A) sacrifices

MANAMA, Bahrain: To pay rich homage to unparallel sacrifice rendered by grandson of Prophet Muhammad (S) Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Hussein (AS) along with his 72 near and dear ones in the burning desert of Karbala for safety of high human values and defense of religion and divine law,day and night majalis are being held across Bahrain.
Tens of thousands of Bahraini momineen attend these majalis in which spakers highlight Karbala tragedy. Matam is performed and dinners and lunches are served to the Husseini mourners from the table of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (AS).

Prophet Solomon Tablet, carved with Ahlul Bayt names, found in 1916

Prophet Solomon Tablet, carved with Ahlul Bayt names, found in 1916

LONDON, United Kingdom: During first world war in 1916, a unit of English army found a tablet made of silver in a small village called Ontara that is situated at a distance of few kilometers from Jerusalem city.