[5] Ashura Maqtal - Awn and Muhammad

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)

Awn and Muhammad

Awn and Muhammad were the sons of Sayeda Zainab (AS) and Abdullah bin Jaffar. Their maternal grandfather Imam Ali (AS) was a great and famous warrior, having participated in all the battles during the Prophet’s lifetime, most famously Badr, Uhud, Khandak (Ahzab), Khyber and Hunain. Their paternal grandfather Jaffar ibn Abu Talib had led the first migration of Muslims from Makkah to Abyssinia.

Jaffar ibn Abi Talib in Abyssinia

It was in Abyssinia in the court of Negus, the Christian King that Jaffar recited Surah Maryam.

This recitation moved the king to such an extent that he allowed the group of Muslims to remain in Abyssinia, despite the protests of the delegation of the Quraish, who had brought lavish gifts for the king in an attempt to persuade him to send the Muslims back to Makkah.

Jaffar and the Muslim migrants remained in Abyssinia where they stayed for over ten years, only returning after the Muslim community in Makkah had made Hijra (migration) to Medina.

Birth of Abdullah ibn Jaffar

His oldest son Abdullah was born in Abyssinia.

Jaffar’s return coincided with the victory of Imam Ali (AS) in the Battle of Khyber, with the Prophet (SAAW) famously stating “I do not know which event made me happier, Imam Ali’s victory in Khyber or Jaffar’s return from Abbysynia”.

Jaffar was gifted a special prayer by the Prophet which came to be known as “The Prayer of Jaffar e Tayyar” and he was also gifted a special zikr (praise) known as “Tasbihat-e-Arba” (Or the four praises).

Later on Jaffar led the Muslim army against the Byzantine empire. The army had been mobilised to take vengeance for the murder of one the Prophet’s emissaries, who had been killed by the King of that region. Jaffar was martyred in the Battle of Mu’ta and both his arms were severed.

Jaffar ibn Abi Talib Becomes Jaffar-e-Tayyar

The Prophet (SAAW) sees Jaffar in a dream and notices that he has been given wings is flying around the Heavens, hence he is given the title “Jaffar-e-Tayyar” (or Jaffar who flies).

The Young Heroes

Awn and Mohammed were quite young at the time of the Battle of Karbala 13 years and 10 years, according to some narrations. They spent a lot of time with uncles Imam Hussain (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS). It was from their Uncle Abbas that the boys were taught battlefield skills, including horse riding and sword fighting.

The boys did not initially accompany Imam Hussain (AS) when he departed Medina.

Their mother Sayeda Zainab (AS) left along with the Imam as she had agreement with her husband Abdullah to accompany him on all his journeys.

Later on after leaving Makkah, when it became clear that Imam Hussain (AS) was going to Iraq, Abdullah brings Awn and Muhammad and hands them over to their mother and tells them they should protect and defend Imam Hussain (AS).

Conversation with Sayeda Zainab

On the night of Ashura before the battle has commenced, Sayeda Zainab (AS) addresses her two sons:

“My sons tomorrow there will be a battle, I cannot ask you to fight because you have still not come of age. But if anything should happen to my brother Imam Hussain (AS) while you are still alive, I will be filled with shame”.

Both the boys stood up and replied

“Mother we have the blood of Ali ibn Abu Talib and Jaffar e Tayyar in our veins.

Our grandfathers were warriors whose fame will always be remembered. Do you think we can possibly shame them?

Moreover, we are the students of our Uncle Abbas. Mother unless you forbid us from fighting we shall go to the battlefield and show the enemies of Islam how bravely the children of the Prophet’s household can fight.

All we want from you is a promise that you will never weep for is. Our souls will never rest in peace if you grieve for us after we are gone”.

Tears of joy and pride flowed down from the eyes of Sayeda Zainab (AS) and she embraced the two boys.

In the morning they fought off any attacks from the enemy side alongside their cousins Ali Akbar, Qasim and their uncle Abbas.

Imam Hussain Refuses Permission

However, Imam Hussain (AS) does not give them permission to go and fight the enemy in single combat.

They boys are disappointed and ask their mother to assist them.

Sayeda Zainab Intercedes

Sayeda Zainab (AS) calls Imam Hussain (AS) and asks him why he did not allow Awn and Muhammad to go and fight.

Imam replies that the boys are still too young.

Sayeda Zainab replies:

“In the battle of Siffen, our brother Abbas was only eight years old. When he saw a man trying to attack you, he rushed into the battlefield and killed him.

Do you remember how proud our father Imam Ali (AS) was? I too wish to be proud of my sons. I want to see them go out and defend Islam. Will you not allow me that privilege ?”

Imam Hussain Relents, Granting Them Permission

Imam Hussain (AS) remained silent. He looked at his sister and could see the disappointment on her face and the tears forming in her eyes.

He puts his arm around the two boys, kisses them and assists them in mounting their horses.

Imam Hussain (AS) addresses Awn and Muhammad and tells them:

“Go, and show the world how those as young as you can fight the injustice and oppression of Yazid”.

Imam Hussain (AS) lifts the curtain of the tent and the boys leave. They turn and bid farewell to their mother. Sayed Zainab (AS) replies:

“Bismillah my sons. May Allah be with you”.

The Brother’s Heroics on the Battlefield

On the day of Ashura, the two boys rode out into the battlefield. They fought bravely, leading Umar ibn Saad to ask:

“Who are these two youngsters?
They fight like I have seen Ali ibn Talib fight”.

Upon entering the battlefield Awn introduces himself:

“If you do not know me, I am the son of Ja’far, a true martyr who is in the shining paradise, who flies there with green wings, this honour is enough on the Day of Resurrection”.

According to Ibn Shahr Ashub, Awn kills 3 horseman and 18 foot soldiers from the army of Umar ibn Saad.

His brother Muhammad upon entering the battle utters the following words

“I complain to Allah about the oppression of the people who are going astray blindly, those who have changed the signs of the Holy Qur’an and it’s clear statements, and have manifested infidelity and rebellion”.

It was reported that Muhammad fights bravely in the battle, killing ten warriors from the enemy army but is ultimately killed by Amir ibn Nahshal al-Tamimi.

The Aftermath of Their Martyrdom

Imam Hussain (AS) brings the bodies of two slain warriors back to the tent. Upon seeing the martyred bodies of her sons, Sayeda Zainab (AS) falls into prostration and utters the following words:

“O Allah, please accept our small sacrifice”.

In the Aftermath of Ashura, In Kufa, In Damascus and the Return to Medina

It is reported that during the whole period where the ladies of the Prophet’s household were taken captive and brought to Kufa and Damascus, Sayeda Zainab (AS) never cried for her own sons.

When the captives were being released from dungeon of Yazid in Damascus, all the ladies went to collect the heads of their martyred children, however two heads remained unclaimed.

The ladies of Damascus who were there, upon seeing the two handsome faces of the martyred boys, remarked that perhaps their mother had died out grief due to the loss of her sons.

Sayeda Zainab (AS) heard this and informed the ladies that she was still alive, but she would only mourn for the martyrdom of her brother Imam Hussain (AS).

Peace be upon you, O daughter of the glorified, holy servant of Allah.

Peace be upon you, O aunt of dignified, holy servant of Allah.

Peace and Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon you, O mother of misfortunes; Zaynab.

Peace be upon you—the virtuous, rightly guided one!

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