[10] Ashura Maqtal - Imam Husayn

This is a series of maqatil (martyrdom narratives - devotional recitations recounting the suffering and sacrifice of the Ahl al-Bayt, the family of Prophet Muhammad). These are for Ashura 2025/1447

In His Name, the Most High

بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ وَصَلَّى ٱللّٰهُ عَلَىٰ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ ٱلطَّيِّبِينَ ٱلطَّاهِرِينَ ٱلْمَعْصُومِينَ، أَمَّا بَعْدُ
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to God, the Lord of all worlds, and may blessings be upon our Master Muhammad and upon his pure, purified, and infallible household. As for what follows:
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, and His blessings.

Video of the Maqtal (Eulogy)

Audio of the Maqtal (Eulogy)

Imam Husayn

The Loneliness of Imam Hussain on the Afternoon of Ashura

It is the afternoon of Ashura, 10^th Muharram 61 AH. Imam Hussain (AS) is all alone. All of the companions and family have been martyred. There is no Abbas (AS), no Ali Akbar (AS), even the six month old Ali Asghar (AS) had been slain. The Imam raises the following the cry:

“Is there any helper to help us. Is there anyone who hears our cry. Is there anyone to defend the family of the Prophet”.

The battlefield falls silent and there is no reply. Imam Hussain (AS) turns to his slain companions and says:

“O Habib, O Muslim, O Zuhayr, O brave warriors on the day of calamity. Why do you not respond to my call. The women of the family of the Prophet have no one to defend them after your martyrdom”.

The Farewell with Imam Sajjad

Upon hearing the cry of Imam Hussain (AS), Imam Sajjad (AS) who had been ill in his tent, drags himself out of his sick bed and using a stick, comes to the entrance of the tent. Imam Hussain (AS) calls out to Sayeda Umm Kulthum,

“Take Imam Sajjad (AS) back to his tent, so the world is not left without an Imam.”

The Farewell with Sayeda Zainab

Imam Hussain (AS) enters into the tent of Imam Sajjad. Upon seeing his father he stands up as his father comes to bid him farewell. Imam Sajjad replies

“O my father, where is my uncle Abbas, my brother Ali Akbar, our companions, Habib ibn Mudhahir, Muslim ibn Awsaja and Zuhayr ibn Qain”.

Imam Hussain replies

“My son, they have all been martyred”.

Then Imam Sajjad asks

“What about my cousins Qasim, Aun and Muhammad”,

Imam replies

“They too have been martyred”.

Imam Sajjad asks about some other companions and finally Imam replies to him,

“O my son Sajjad, apart from yourself and myself, there are no men left in our caravan. Even the infant Ali Asghar (AS) has been martyred.”

Upon hearing this Imam Sajjad reaches for his sword telling his father,

“O my father allow me to defend you and enter the battlefield”.

Imam Hussain (AS) replies

“O Sajjad, your jihad is not here in Karbala. You must accompany the woman and children to Kufa and Damascus and keep the lineage of the Prophet (SAAW) alive”.

Imam Hussain (AS) spends sometime with Imam Sajjad (AS), passing on the seal of Imamat to him, before heading back to his tent and to bid farewell to the ladies and children.

Imam Hussain (AS) enters into his tent, all the ladies begin to weep unconsolably. Imam Hussain (AS) turns to his sister Sayeda Zainab (AS) and requests the shirt his mother Sayeda Fatima Zehra (AS) had stitched for him. Sayeda Zainab (AS) replies

“O my brother, is it time you enter to battlefield”.

Imam replies

“My sister, I have to go and defend the religion of my grandfather”.

Imam get dressed into his battle uniform and prepares to mount his horse. Sayeda Zainab (AS) approaches her brother and asks him to unbutton his shirt. She then kisses the Imam on his neck. Imam Hussain (AS) was surprised and asks the reason for this action. Sayeda Zainab (AS) replies,

“O brother, I remember our mother Sayeda Fatima in her will told me to kiss your neck before you leave for your final battle, as it is here that sword of the enemies will fall”.

Then Imam Hussain (AS) turns to his sister and tells her

“O my sister, I too have a request”.

Imam Hussain (AS) asks Sayeda Zainab (AS) to roll up her sleeves and then he kisses her arms. Sayeda Zainab (AS) asks her brother the reason for this action and Imam Hussain (AS) replies,

“O my sister, our father Amir-ul-Momineen (AS) in his will told me that before I leave for my final battle, to kiss the arms of my sister Zainab (AS), as these arms will be bound and tied, and she will be taken as a captive to Kufa and Damascus”.

The Parting with Sakina

Sayeda Zainab (AS) helps Imam Hussain (AS) to mount his horse and he prepares to move to the battlefield, however the horse does not move. Addressing his horse Dhuljanah, Imam Hussain (AS) says

“O Dhuljanah, I know you are tired and have been carrying bodies back from the battlefield all day, but I promise you this will be the last time you will need to take me”.

Dhuljanah looks towards the face of Imam Hussain (AS) and then looks down towards his hooves. Imam Hussain (AS) sees his four year old daughter Sakina, clutching the legs of his horse and saying,

“O Dhuljanah, please do not take my father away from me. Whoever went to the battlefield did not return. My uncle Abbas went to fetch us water, he too did not return. O Dhuljanah, please do not go, I do wish to become an orphan”.

Imam Hussain (AS) gets down from his horse and takes his little daughter in his arms. Sakina tells her father

“O Father, I used to sleep on your chest. I wish to sleep on your chest one more time before you depart”.

Imam Hussain (AS) lays on the sands of Karbala, his young daughter climbs onto his chest and falls asleep. After a short time Sakina wakes up and tells her father,

“O Father, you must rush to the battlefield, I saw my grandmother Sayeda Fatima in a dream and she told me not to delay you”.

Sayeda Zainab (AS) helps Imam Hussain (AS) to remount his horse and he heads towards the battlefield.

Imam Hussain’s Final Appeal to the Enemy

Imam Hussain (AS) enters the battlefield, making a final address to army of Umar ibn Saad.

“Tell me by Allah, do you know who I am ?”

The enemy soldiers replied

“We know you are the grandson of the Prophet (SAAW)”.

Imam Hussain (AS) continues

“Do you know that I am the son of Fatima, daughter of the Messenger of Allah ?”

The enemies reply

“Yes this is true”.

Imam Hussain (AS) continues

“By Allah do you know that Ali ibn Abu Talib is my father ?”

They replied

“Yes we know”.

He also introduces his grandmother Sayeda Khadija and his uncle Jaf’ar al-Tayyar to remind them of his linage.

Umar ibn Sadd replies

“All of this is nothing new. We are professional soldiers, we have come to fight you, not listen to your rhetoric. We will not rest until we have slit your parched throat”.

The Unjust Reason for War

Imam Hussain (AS) continues:

“Tell me, have I made any innovations in religion of Islam. Did I alter the book of Allah ? Have I transgressed any tenet of the Islam ? Have I failed to observe my religious obligations even once in my life ? Have I killed anyone ? Have I usurped anyone’s property ? Have I ever uttered a false statement ? Did I ever hurt you ? Did I ever aspire for wealth or power ?

The enemy replies

“No you never did any of these things ?

Finally Imam Hussain (AS) states:

“If you know all of this, then tell me why do you wish to kill me”.

A reply came from some of the enemy soldiers and they shouted out.

“We are taking revenge for your father, Ali ibn Abu Talib. Our only desire is to slay you and avenge our ancestors who were killed by your father in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Hunain and Khandaq”.

The Battle Commences

The enemy army tries to launch an attack against the women and children in Imam Hussain’s camp, however the Imam successfully defends the camp, killing any of enemy forces attempting to reach the camps. Imam Hussain (AS) fights fearlessly against the enemy forces, killing many of them.

His fighting was reminiscent of his father Imam Ali (AS). None of the enemies dared to approach him or fight him face to face, they instead showered him with arrows. Umar ibn Saad gives the command to attack Imam Hussain (AS) on masse, yet despite his wounds and injuries, he scatters the enemies in all directions.

A cry comes from the enemy ranks

“Save Us, Save Us”.

Imam replies:

“Did you care about this when you killed Abbas, Ali Akbar and Qasim?”

and continues to attack the enemy with full force.

The Wounds of the Imam

Lances and arrows were launched against the Imam, injuring him from all sides of his body. Yet the Imam’s resistance endured and he continues to fight despite his severe injuries.

An arrow was launched at Imam Hussain (AS) striking his forehead. Imam Hussain (AS) pulls out the arrow causing fresh blood to gush out on his face. At that moment another arrow pierces the chest of Imam Hussain (AS), fired with such force that it causes the Imam to tremble on his saddle. Another from the enemy ranks, Salih ibn Wahab al-Muzany strikes Imam Hussain (AS) on the head with a heavy club causing him to loose balance and fall from his horse.

The Final Moments of Imam Hussain

Imam Hussain’s body is suspended between the bridle of his horse and the ground. He is resting on arrows which have penetrated every part of his body. Abjr bin Kab now attempts to strike Imam Hussain (AS) with his sword.

A young boy from the camp of Imam Hussain (AS), Abdullah bin Hassan (AS) rushes towards the battlefield to save his uncle. The ladies try to stop him but Abdullah reaches to Imam Hussain (AS) and prevents the enemy from attacking his uncle, however his arm is severed and he is martyred.

Imam Hussain (AS) having fallen from his horse now attempts to enter into prostration (sujood). Imam was motionless for several minutes, however it was seen that his lips were moving and he was praising Allah.

Nobody dares to approach Imam Hussain (AS), but the stonehearted Shimr bin Dhiljushan approaches the Imam.

He sits on the chest Imam Hussain (AS) telling him that he wishes to claim the reward which Yazid had promised him for bringing his head.

Shimr is unable to look into the eyes due to resemblance of Imam Hussain (AS) to the Prophet, so he turns him over and beheads his from the back of his head, using a blunt dagger.

The Martyrdom and Desecration

As Imam Hussain (AS) was being martyred and an earthquake erupted and voice from the heavens proclaimed

“By Allah, Hussain has been killed on the soil of Karbala. By Allah, Hussain has been slaughtered on the soil of Karbala.”

After Shimr had finished beheading Imam Hussain (AS) the enemy army rushed towards the slain body and looted it, removing all clothing and valuable items. One of the enemies attempted to remove the ring from the finger of Imam Hussain (AS), but was unable to do so, so instead he severed the entire finger.

The Cry of Sayeda Zainab

Sayeda Zainab (AS) was watching from a distance calls out to Umar ibn Saad

“O son of Saad. This is Abu Abdullah (Imam Hussain (AS)) being slaughtered, while you are watching”.

As she approaches the body of her martyred brother and falls into prostration uttering the following words

“O Allah ! Accept from us this sacrifice.”

She then turns her face towards Medina and addresses the Prophet (SAAW).

“O Mohammed (SAAW) ! These are your daughters! They are being taken as captives ! Your children are slain ! The wind is blowing over their bodies ! And this is your Hussain who has been beheaded from the back of his neck ! His turban and cloak have been plundered.”

The Return of Dhuljanah and Sakina’s Grief

The horse of Imam Hussain (AS), Dhuljana returns back to the tents without his rider. His four year daughter Sakina sees her father’s horse and asks

“O my father’s horse did my father drink any water or water or was he martyred thirsty”.

Tears appear from the eyes of the horse and he hit his head on the ground and eventually dies.

The Trampling of the Pure Bodies

Following the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) all the heads of the martyrs were severed and placed on spears.

An order was given for the martyrs bodies to be trampled by the hooves of the enemies horses. Most of the martyrs had family or tribal affiliations to the enemy army, who objected to there bodies being trampled.

However Imam Hussain (AS) and a few of his close family members who had no affiliation with the enemy camp had their bodies trampled. As the body of Imam Hussain (AS) was being trampled the sounds of cracking bones were heard.

The Burning of the Tents

The order was now given to burn the tents and to loot the valuable items, including the veils of the ladies. As the tents were being burnt, Sayeda Zainab (AS) gathers all the ladies in the tent of Imam Sajjad (AS).

She turns to the Imam asks him if all the ladies should remain in the burning tents or escape. Imam Sajjad (AS) replies

“O My Aunt Zainab. You are a scholar who was never taught. It is wajib for us to save our lives”.

Imam Sajjad (AS) is unable to walk due to his illness and Sayeda Zainab (AS) helps carry him from the tent.

Sakina on the Battlefield

Sayeda Zainab (AS) gathers all the children, however she notices that Imam Hussain’s four year daughter Sakina is missing.

Sakina is found asleep on the chest of her father, whose body had looted and beheaded. Sayeda Zainab (AS) asks Sakina

“O Sakina how did you recognise your father”.

Sakina replies

“O Aunty Zainab, I ran into the battlefield and called out for my father and I heard a voice saying “I am here, O my little daughter”.

The Captivity of the Household

Sayeda Zainab (AS) returned back to the camp with Sakina. Imam Sajjad (AS) and the ladies were bound and taken captive. They were mounted on the backs of camels without saddles and taken to Kufa and Damascus.

The Burial by the Bani Asad

Umar Saad ordered the bodies of the enemies who were killed to be given burials, however the bodies of Imam Hussain (AS) and his martyred companions were left unburied.

They would be buried after a few days by the tribe of Bani Assad. Imam Sajjad (AS) would return to Karbala, by the permission of Allah, to help the Bani Assad identify the bodies of the martyrs.

Benedictions upon the Martyrs

Peace be upon the one for whom the angels of the sky wept.

Peace be upon the one who has purified Imams in his progeny.

Peace be upon the chiefs of faith.

Peace be upon the Imams, the guides of mankind.

Peace be upon the blood-smeared necks.

Peace be upon the lips that were parched due to thirst.

Peace be upon those martyrs who were cut into pieces.

Peace be upon the souls whose belongings were plundered soon after their killings.

Peace be upon the uncovered dead bodies.

Peace be upon the emaciated and deformed corpses.

Peace be upon the deluge of martyrs blood.

Peace be upon the dismembered limbs.

Peace be upon the heads that were raised on lances.

Peace be upon the chaste women or who forcibly exposed.

Peace be upon the proof of the Lord of the Worlds.

وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍۢ يَنقَلِبُونَ

And those who have wronged, will come to know to what [evil] return, they will be returning.

- Quran, Surah ash-Shu’ara (the Chapter of the Poets) #26, Verse 227

إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

Indeed, we belong to God, and indeed to Him we shall return.

- Quran, Surah al-Baqarah (the Chapter of the Cow) #2, Verse 156