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Ali al-Asghar ibn Hussain

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:19:31 +0000

Born in April, 61 AH as the youngest son of Husayn ibn Ali and Rubab, Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn was the youngest martyr who was killed at the Battle of Karbala. He was only six months old and died 10th October, 61 AH, which is Tenth of Muharram by Islamic calendar. His father was the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad who was also the third Shia Imam and Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn’s mother was the daughter of the Kinda Imra al-Qays tribe chief.

Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn was born in Medina. His name Ali al-Asghar means ”youngest Ali”. He was thrid Husayn’s son. Husayn’s other sons were Ali ibn Husayn and Ali Akbar ibn Husayn. Ali ibn Husayn was the fourth Imam and his brother Ali Akbar ibn Husayn was also killed in the Battle of Karbala by Yazid’s army. Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn’s sisters were Sakina (Rukayya), Fatema Sugra and Sakinah (Fatema Kubra).

Husayn was on his way to Kufa to meet nobles there and stand up against Yazid whom he didn’t want to accept as caliph. He wanted to draw a line and show difference between old Islam which was true and new trends which came with Yazid. Yazid’s army was sent to stop him in Karbala. Surrounded by Yazid’s army and left without water for many days. He tried to convince Yazid’s army to give them water to drink or to let someone get water and bring. He even sent his brother Al-Abbas ibn Ali to try to bring some water, but his brother was caught, both arms cut off and then Yazid’s army killed him.

Then Husayn tried to negotiate again and took his son Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn to battle field to show in how bad state is his only six month old son who didn’t get any water for so long. Instead of giving water to his son and other people there, Hurmala shot one arrow in their direction. Arrow pierced Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn’s neck. Arrow was with three heads per Shia and Sunni tradition and Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn died. His death happened on 8th Muharram 61 AH and Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn is considered a martyr by Shia Muslims.

Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn is buried in Karbala with his brother Ali Akbar ibn Husayn. That is most visited mosque in the world these days. While mourning, during Muharram, Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn is represented during ceremonies as innocent six month old child who suffered without water many days, going through terrible agony caused by thirst. Death of Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn is mentioned at length in many pieces of literature such as rawza-khani, folklore, taziya tradition and even whole majles were dedicated to Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn.

Even modern politics is sometimes influenced by Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn’s death and his martyrdom. One such example happened when Ayatollah Khomeini who lead the revolution in Iran, gave a speech on June 1963, where he mentioned Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn with intention to compare the actions of Umayyad at Karbala with actions by the Shah against maraji. This speech occured in Qum, Iran, at the Fayziya Madrasa. That comparison was a way to show that as Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn didn’t do anything to provoke and deserve the anger of Yazid ibn Muhawiyah, same way madrasah student who was only 18 years old didn’t do anything against the Shah and not even his government, but still that 18 year old and completely innocent student was killed by the Pahlavi regime.

Battle of Karbala

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:13:38 +0000

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.

Fatimah

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:08:01 +0000

Fatimah was prophet Muhammad’s and his first wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid’s daughter. She was born in Mecca 605 CE, but that date is not confirmed. Fatimah stud by her father Muhammad in all difficulties and suffered with him. After they migrated to Medina, Fatimah was married to Ali ibn Abi Talib who was Muhammad’s cousin. She had five children with Ali ibn Abi Talib. Fatimah died quickly after her father’s death, only a few months later. She was buried in Medina near the grave of Imam Hassan but the exact place of her grave is not known. Shias say that she was wounded defending her husband and that wound was the reason for her early death.

Shia scholars say that she had political importance performing three acts. She refused to protect Abu Sufyan ibn Harb. After her Father Muhammad died she defended her husband’s Ali cause and didn’t support the election of Abu Bakr disputing with him and Umar. The third act was claiming rights over her father’s property challenging Abu Bakr.

Date of Fatimah’s birth is not confirmed. Some say it was five years before the first Qur’anic revelations, which is in 605 during the rebuilding of the Kaaba. Shia scholars say she was born two or five years after Qur’anic revelations. First date showing she was over 18 when she married, which is very unusual in Arabia, and second statement showing that her mother was more than 50 years old when Fatimah was born.

Fatimah was Muhammad’s fourth daughter. First three daughters were Rurayya, Umm Kulthum and Zaynab. Sunnis claim that the only biological daughter was Fatimah and that other three were actually adopted by Muhammad and his wife Khadijah after Khadijah’s sister Hala died.

Fatimah is also known among Muslims as Fatimah Zahra, where Zahra stands for ”az-Zahra” which means ”the shining one”. Other names that represent her also are ”al-Batul” which means pure one, and Ummu Abeeha which means ”Mother of her Father”. Fatimah spent most time of her life reciting Qur’an, praying and worshiping. She was one of the most important historical figures and leader of all women here and in Paradise also. Her position in Islam is equal to position of Mary in Christianity. She was the wife of the first Imam, mother of the next two Imams, and person of moral purity and sincere Muslim.

Fatimah spent childhood with her parents in Mecca where her father suffered a lot at the hands of the Quraysh. When her mother died, Fatimah couldn’t accept her death and it was very hard for her to deal with that loss until her father Muhammad informed her that angel Gabriel built a place for her mother in paradise.

Her hand was asked by many, including Umar and Abu Bakr but her father Muhammad refused with the explanation that he wants to wait some sign which will show her destiny. Ali who was Muhammad’s cousin wanted to marry Fatimah, but he didn’t dare to ask because of his poverty. Mohammad realized what is the reason for his fear and suggested him to sell his shield which worth enough to provide bridal gift. Fatimah didn’t protest when Muhammad told her about the proposal and marriage happened in 623 or 622. Fatimah was between 9 and 16 when she married Ali.

Fatimah had two sons with Ali, Hasan and Husayin, and daughters Umm Kulthum and Zaynab. Her third son was Muhsin, but Shias say she misscarried while Sunnies say Muhsin died as a baby.

Before Muhammad died, he informed Fatimah that he will die and that she will join him soon after his death. She died few month later during the month of Ramadhan. Sunnies believe that she made peace with Abu Bakr before she died, while Shias believe she was angry until her last day.