[6] Ashura Maqtal - Qasim ibn al-Hasan

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)

Qasim ibn al-Hasan

Hazrat Qasim was the young orphan son of Imam Hassan (AS). He was only thirteen years old at the time of Battle of Karbala. His mother was a lady known as Ramala (Commonly referred to Umme Farwah), who according to some reports was a slave lady. Prior to his martyrdom, as effects of the poison were becoming manifest, he calls Umme Farwa and Qasim, who is only three years at the time.

Qasim: The Orphan Who Became a Legacy

He leaves behind a will which is the form of a letter which is addressed to his son Qasim, in which he writes:

"My son Qasim, a day will come when my brother Hussain will be facing an enemy army of tens of thousands. That will be the day when Islam will need to be saved by sacrifice. You must represent me on that day."

Despite being orphaned at a very tender age, he was never made to feel the absence of his father, due to love and affection he received from his uncle Imam Hussain (AS), who treated Qasim like his own son. He was received training in battlefield skills from a very young from his Uncle, Hazrat Abbas (AS), alongside his cousins Awn, Muhammed and Ali Akbar.

Qasim’s Pledge and a Mother’s Resolve

Both Qasim and his mother accompanied Imam Hussain (AS) and his caravan, eventually reaching Karbala. On the eve of Ashura a dialogue takes place between Qasim and his mother. He tells Umme Farwa:

“Mother, tomorrow Uncle Abbas, Ali Akbar and myself will go and defend my Uncle Hussain(AS). Mother if I am killed, please do not weep for me.”

His mother replied:

“My son although I love you dearly, I shall not weep for you. Nothing would make me prouder than to see my son give his life for defending Islam.”

When Imam Hussain (AS) heard the conversation he prayed to Allah to bless Qasim and his mother.

A Letter, A Nephew, and a Martyr’s Path

On the day of Ashura, Qasim watched as his cousins Awn, Mohammed (the sons of Sayeda Zainab) and Ali Akbar went into the battlefield and were martyred. Qasim approaches Imam Hussain (AS) on two occasions and asks him for permission to fight, however the Imam refuses telling him:

“O Qasim, whenever I see you, I remember my brother Imam Hassan (AS), I could not bear to see being killed in front of my eyes.”

Qasim is bitterly disappointed and goes to his mother crying.

Umme Farwa sees the disappointment on the face of her son and then she remembers the letter which her husband Imam Hassan (AS) had given her. She takes out the letter and gives it Qasim telling him:

“O my son, take this letter and give it your uncle,
he will surely not refuse you after he has read it.”

Qasim takes the letter and joyfully returns to his Uncle. Imam Hussain (AS) takes the letter, kisses it.

Sweeter Than Honey: Qasim’s Farewell

Having read the letter Imam starts weeping:

“O my nephew, I have to let you go and fight, this was my brother’s will”.

Imam Hussain (AS) turns to Qasim and asks him:

“O Qasim how do you see death in the way of Allah.”

Qasim looks at his uncle’s face and reply:

Then Imam informs him:

“O Qasim, you too will be amongst the martyrs”.

Imam Hussain (AS) takes the turban which belonged to his brother Imam Hassan (AS) and ties it to head of Qasim and then assists him to mount his horse. He also makes a tear in his shirt telling Qasim:

“O Qasim, this tear indicates that you are an orphan. Perhaps the enemy will take pity on you and have mercy on you by seeing this.”

The Broken Body, The Unbroken Spirit: Qasim’s Sacrifice

Qasim enters the battlefield, his face radiant like the moon. He introduces himself and challenges the enemy to single combat. Several famous warriors who came forward were killed.

Upon seeing the skill and bravery of this young boy, the enemy then attacks him at once with swords, spears and arrows. A solider from the enemy ranks ibn Umar ibn Nafeel Azdi, hits Qasim on the back of the head with his sword, causing him to fall from his horse. As fell Qasim calls out to Imam Hussain:

“O my uncle please help me.”

Upon hearing the cry of young Qasim, Imam Hussain (AS) rushes into the battlefield to assist his nephew. Seeing Imam Hussain (AS) caused the enemy to panic.

The horses begin rushing in all directions, crushing the body of Qasim, who is lying on the ground. The body had been torn to pieces and on seeing his nephew in this condition, Imam Hussain (AS) cries out:

“O Qasim my dear, you called out for help, but your Uncle was unable to help you. Please accept my apologies.”

Imam Hussain (AS) gathers the pieces of the body in his cloak and returns to the tent and places him next to the bodies of the other martyrs. As the Imam enters the tent Qasim’s mother Umme Farwa asks:

“O Imam, where is my son”.

Imam Hussain (AS) does not reply, but merely points to the bundle which he carrying in his cloak. Upon seeing this Umme Farwa falls into prostration and says:

“O Allah, please accept this small sacrifice”.

The Little Lion of Karbala: Abdullah ibn Hassan’s Sacrifice

According to some narrations, another son of Imam Hassan (AS) was also in Karbala. He was Abdullah ibn Hassan. Abdullah was considered too young to fight and was in the tent with the women and children. It has mentioned that Abdullah left the tent upon seeing his Uncle, Imam Hussain (AS) about to be killed. Imam tries to send him back but Abdullah tells the enemy:

“By Allah, I will not separate from my uncle”.

Abjar bin Kab was about to strike Imam Hussain (AS) with his sword, Abdullah tells him:

“Woe to you oh impure offspring, do you want to kill my uncle.”

Abjar goes to raise his sword, but Abdullah stretches out his arms to protect the Imam and has his arms severed.

Abdullah screams in agony is embraced by his uncle who consoles him:

“O son of my brother, have patience and see this event as a blessing, Allah will unite you with your forefathers.”

Eventually he succumbs to his injuries and is martyred.

Peace be on you. O son of the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds!

Peace be on you. O son of the Commander of the Believers!

Peace be on you. O son of Fatima, the luminous lady!

Peace be on you, O beloved of Allah!

Peace be on you, O choice of Allah!

Peace be on you, O trustee of Allah!

Peace be on you, O Argument of Allah!

Peace be on you, O Path of Allah!

Peace be on you, O supporter of the religion of Allah !

Peace be on you, O Pure master !

Peace be on You, O righteous and truthful!

Peace be on You, O practiser (of Allah’s commands) and trustee!

Peace be on you, O knowledgeable in interpretation of Qur’an!

Peace be on you, O guide and well-guided!

Peace be on you, O immaculate and pure!

Peace be on you, O pious and infallible!

Peace be on you, O veritable Truth!

Peace be on you, O martyr and veracious!

Peace be on you, O Abu Muhammad, al-Hassan, the son of Ali!

Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you!

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