On Muharram 10, year 61 happened Battla of Karbala. Karbala is in Iraq now. It wasn’t even battle because on the one side was only a small group of people made of family and followers of Husayn ibn Ali. Husayn was the grandson of the prophet Muhammad. On the other side was a big army of Yazid who fought with Husayn who refused to accept him as caliph. All Husayn’s family and followers were killed, including Husayn and his only six month old son. Women and children were imprisoned and taken to Damascus. All who died Muslims see as martyrs and this battle has an important place in Islamic history.
Every Muharram during the 10 days Shias and Sunnis mourning in a memory of that day. The importance of this battle is in the sacrifice of Husayn bin Ali who gave his life and show difference between true Islam and one promoted by Yazid.
Muawiyah died on Rajab 22, 60 AH, and violated the agreement with Hassan ibn Ali making his son Yazid caliph. That act made Caliphate become a dinasty. Husayn was biggest threat to Yazid being the only grandson of Muhammad. That is why Yazid tried through his governor in Medina to make Husayn to accept Yazid. Husayn refused to do that and left Medina on Rajab 28, 60 AH, only a few days after governor tried to force him to accept Yazid as caliph.
While traveling to Kufa sad news reached them about killing of Muslim ibn Aqeel while people of Kufa were indifferent completely. That didn’t affect on his decision so he continued to Kufa and sent messenger to nobles in Kufa. Messenger didn’t reach Kufa and was killed same as Muslim ibn Aqeel.
Yazid sent 4,000 soldiers who headed to Daylamites to Karbala and fight with Husayn. On their way to Karbala soldiers went through Kufa. People in Kufa had a chance to see a force that going to Husayn and that was their last chance to take the right path and stand on side of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Husayn. But they didn’t have courage to make the right choice. If they had the courage, they could easily defeat Yazid and save Husayn.
Shia sources say that Ibn Ziyad sent a letter to Umar ibn Sad asking him to block Husayn and not to allow him to reach water to drink. Then army started approaching closer to Husayn’s camp. Husayn sent Abbas ibn Ali to negotiate with Ibn Saad and wait till morning so they can pray during the night. It was accepted. Husayin used that time to tell his followers to leave during night while there is still a chance, but they refused and stayed with Husayn.
After completed morning prayers he gathered people around and asked them to fight to defend Muhammad’s family and Allah. That speech made Hurr ibn Yazid Al-Riyahi to abandon Umar ibn Saad and go to Husayn’s side.
Battle started Umar ibn Saad who fired the first arrow at Husayn and then showers of arrows followed. All Husayn’s men were shot, there was no way to escape. To save women and children from arrow showers, Husayn and his followers stepped into single battles. Husayn’s companions were killed one by one trying to protect him. After all his followers were killed, his relatives started leaving, one by one. Husayin asked from Yazid’s army to give him single battle, so he can fight man on man, and they agreed. Husayn killed all who fought with him and often making an enemy to withdraw. He even managed to get deep in Yazid’s army but then enemies attacked him and he got many injuries. And then one of the soldiers approached to hit the Husayn’s head with his sword. His nephew Abd-Allah ibn Hassan tried to protect him, but they cut off his arm. Husayn tried to protect him, but one arrow hit the boy. Umar ibn Saad sent man to kill Husayn but he was afraid and Shimr ibn Dhiljawashan cut Husayin’s throat. His head was sent to ibn Ziyad and the heads of his followers were sent to Kufa.
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Comment by Marquis Lange — August 5, 2012 @ 11:53 pm