Ashura Maqtal - Imam Husayn ibn Ali - the Master of the Martyrs

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

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِاللَّهِ
وَعَلَى الْأَرْوَاحِ الَّتِي حَلَّتْ بِفِنَائِكَ
عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَّا جَمِيعًا سَلاَمُ اللَّهِ أَبَدًا مَا بَقِينَا وَبَقِيَ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ
وَلا جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنَّا لِزِيَارَتِكُمْ
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ
وَعَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ
وَعَلَى أَوْلَادِ الْحُسَيْنِ
وَعَلَى أَصْحَابِ الْحُسَيْنِ

Peace be upon you, O Aba Abdillah (O Husayn),
and upon the souls who have gathered in your courtyard.
Upon you, from us all, is the peace of God—forever,
for as long as we remain and as long as night and day endure.
And may God never make this our last pledge to visit you.

Peace be upon al-Husayn,
and upon Ali, son of al-Husayn,
and upon the children of al-Husayn,
and upon the companions of al-Husayn.

—Adapted from Ziyarat Ashura¹

Video of the Maqtal

Audio of the Maqtal

The Imam Husayn ibn Ali - the Master of the Martyrs

This is a maqtal — a sacred eulogy — for the Master of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn ibn Ali, who was the embodiment of truth, and those with God, and who was murdered - along with his family and companions - in Karbala, on the noon of Ashura, but the worst of the worst.

As with the previous maqatil, it has been composed in a unique style, as though the voice speaking it is the voice of the Awaited One, the Master of the Age — Imam al-Mahdi, may our souls be his ransom, and may God hasten his return. He is the living inheritor of Imam Husayn’s stand and sacrifice.

The historical narrative within this maqtal draws directly from three principal sources:

• Luhuf² of Sayyed ibn Tawus³,

• Nafas al-Mahmoum⁴ of Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi⁵, and

• Chronicles of the Martyrdom of Imam Husayn⁶ by Shaykh Muhammad Muhammadi Reyshahri⁷.

• Ziyarat Nahiya al-Muqaddasah⁸

What is a Maqtal

A Maqtal is, in essence, a sacred eulogy — a remembrance of the epic tragedy of Ashura. It is recited not merely to recount history, but to draw the listener into a living bond with Imam Husayn, to learn from his stand, and to allow his sacrifice to shape the conscience of the heart.

This narration is also meant to educate, to awaken reflection, and to engrave the message of Imam Husayn deep within our souls. It is natural — indeed blessed — to mourn and weep during the Maqtal. For when one truly listens and contemplates the enormity of what befell not only Imam Husayn, but the very spirit of Islam itself, so soon after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad — peace and blessings be upon him and his family — the heart can do nothing but break in sorrow.

Yet this sorrow is not an end in itself. It should inspire the one who listens, watches, or reads to rise above complacency, to purify and strengthen the self, and to strive tirelessly to ensure that such injustice and betrayal can never be repeated. This is the true tribute to Husayn: that every tear becomes a vow, and every mourning heart a fortress against tyranny in every age.

The Everlasting Cry

O seeker who weeps in a century far from Taff⁹,
know this: there is no grave that can contain Husayn,
nor century that can silence his thirst.

I speak to you from the shadows where injustice hides:
I am the son of Husayn — the one promised to rise.

Listen well: the plains still whisper, the blood still calls.
Husayn was slain but not silenced.

And woe to this world if it forgets.

The Plea to Wolves and Stones

When no friend remained but the wind,
he leaned upon his sword, body punctured and weary.

He called them, hyenas in iron skins:

“O people! Am I not the son of your Prophet’s daughter?
Have I killed any among you?
Have I seized your wealth unjustly?
Why then do you seek my blood?”

A silence deeper than deceit.
Then spears.
Then arrows.
No answer — but death.

“If you hate me, let me depart.
Else, fight me as free men, not jackals in the dark.”

They proved themselves worse than jackals.

A Rag for the King

He knew these wretches would not spare even cloth.
So he found an old, tattered loincloth, hidden among the ashes.
He tied it beneath his armour, praying:

“O Lord, let my body not shame my mother’s modesty.”

But even this, Qays bin Ash’ath¹⁰ snatched away
from a corpse still warm.

The King of Martyrs lay naked
before the Throne of God — clothed only in wounds.

The Last Embrace of Zaynab

He turned to the tents.
Tremors of weeping behind torn veils.
Zaynab ran to him, feet stumbling over children’s cries.
She clung to him — her hair dusted in the desert wind:

“Brother, how can I bear your absence?
Who will cradle these orphans?
Who will guard the Quran in flesh?”

He pressed her head to his chest.
She kissed his throat, weeping where the blade would drink.

“Mother Zahra told me in a dream:
‘Zaynab, kiss your brother’s throat —
for that is his covenant with the sword.’”

He whispered,

“Do not tear your veil for my sake.
Save your tears for the world that will forget what you bore.”

The Covenant with Sajjad

The tent flap parted —
Ali ibn Husayn, frail as a reed in a storm,
his fevered eyes two suns dimmed by sorrow.
Husayn lifted his chin with a hand still trembling with strength.

“My son — patience, patience.
This Ummah has slain my body,
but you must guard my light.

Your chains will be many,
your words must be few but sharper than swords.

Hold this Wilayah as you hold your breath:
hidden, yet life itself.”

Ali Zayn al-Abedeen nodded —
and the chain of the Imams did not break.

The Last Shout to the Age

Then Husayn turned his face to the sun,
to the sky where angels wept blood.

He roared:

هل من ناصر ينصرنا؟
Is there anyone to help us?

هل من مغيث يغيثنا؟
Is there anyone to come to our aid?

A cry not for the cowards before him —
but for the unborn lovers,
for you and I —
so that every free heart would hear
and never find sleep in a tyrant’s shadow.

The Crown of Arrows, The Throne of Dust

Then they loosed the swarm.
Arrows rooted in his flesh like black branches of a barren tree.
He staggered, each step a sermon.
He fell — yet the earth did not feel his weight:
for the barbs upheld him.

He whispered:

“O God! I bear witness You are my Witness.
This people have slain the son of Your Prophet.”

Shimr, the hyena crowned with cruelty,
straddled the trembling chest,
broke seven ribs under his weight.

One final breath —
then the blade kissed the throat Zaynab had kissed.

The Head on the Lance, The Cave of Truth

They raised it on a spear, dripping paradise.
The lips moved — terror on the murderers’ tongues:

أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْكَهْفِ وَالرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا مِنْ آيَاتِنَا عَجَبًا

“Or do you think the Companions of the Cave and the Inscription
were a wonder among Our signs?”

— Quran, Surah al-Kahf (the Chapter of the Cave) #18 Verse #9

Fools!
The Cave slept centuries yet rose alive —
so too does Husayn.
His blood is a sign, his head a sermon
which no sword can silence.

The Horse Without Its Moon

Back galloped Zuljanah, masterless —
its saddle dark with its rider’s life.
Children clutched its mane, hoping for the voice that calmed storms.
Ruqayyah fainted at its hooves:

“Where is Baba?
Where is the star upon your back?”

Zaynab fell upon its neck, sobbing into its mane:

“O loyal one! You returned,
but my brother will never return —
till the Mahdi lifts his banner again.”

Zaynab’s Thunder to Ibn Sa’ad

Umar ibn Sa’ad, son of Sa’ad the apostate,
watched from his coward’s hill.
Zaynab, veilless but more veiled than all modesty,
strode to him like judgment made flesh:

“O son of Sa’ad! May your mother mourn you!
You watch while my brother’s veins feed your swords?
You stand still while the Prophet’s blood is butchered?
God will curse you till the last trumpet!”

He turned his eyes to the sand —
but Hell turned toward him.

The Plunder, The Shame

Then it began:
fires among the tents,
screams of girls whose bracelets were torn with flesh.

One brute struck Sukayna across the face — tears in his eyes:

“Why weep while you strike me?”

she sobbed.

He spat his shame:

“If I do not, another will.
Forgive me, little one — I am a beast in chains of fear.”

Ziyarat Nahiya weeps:

“Peace be upon the abandoned body upon the sands,
the thirsty throat that spoke Quran though severed,
the banner that never fell.”

The Mahdi’s Oath: The Tyrants Are On Notice

O my Shia —
O witnesses at my grandfather’s grave —
your tears are not enough if your silence feeds the wolves.

When you drink water, remember my father’s thirst.
When you hold your children, remember the children they orphaned.
When you stand beneath roofs they bomb, remember: the blood of Husayn forbids surrender.

Let every tyrant in every palace hear me now:
the brokers of Gaza’s siege,
the vultures circling Yemen’s cradle,
the liars who defame the defenders of Lebanon,
the serpent’s tongue that whispers sedition in Iran,
the merchants who sell death to the old as ‘mercy,’
the butchers of the unborn in hidden clinics,
the poisoners who unravel the family and call it freedom —
I see you.
I, the son of Husayn, stand witness before God:
you are on notice.

Where there is a Yazid, there must be a Husayn.
And when no Husayn rises from you,
I shall rise — with the dawn at my back and a sword no lie can dull.

Until I stand revealed,
know this:
among you live hearts loyal to my father’s blood —
they clarify when others confuse,
they speak when others kneel,
they suffer the night of loneliness that is my loneliness.

For them, I pray:

O God, Guardian of the truthful, Shelter of the abandoned,
strengthen those who stand for clarification (tabyeen) when tongues betray them,
protect them when the corrupt gather like wolves,
lighten for them the burden of exile among the heedless.
Make their isolation a garden of intimacy with You,
their tears an armour, their truth an arrow.
For surely, this path is the Way —
the way of the lonely, the betrayed, the patient —
the way of Husayn, and the way of his hidden son.

Swear it with me now, O loyal ones:
never again shall truth be left undefended,
never again shall Husayn be alone.
Never again.

Closing Benediction and Curse — The Living Caravan

Peace be upon Husayn,
and upon Ali son of Husayn,
and upon the children of Husayn,
and upon the companions of Husayn —
those who fell beside him in Karbala,
and those who rose for him in every century:

Peace be upon the Husaynis of our age —
Imam Khomeini, who revived the cry,
Shaheed Ayatullah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, who bled for the truth,
Ayatullah Sayyed Muhammad Husayn Fadhlullah, the clarifier of veiled sedition,
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the unbroken lion at the front,
Hajj Qassem Soleimani, commander of love and martyrdom,
Shaheed Mohsen Hojaji, whose neck bore the sword yet whose spirit broke the tyrant —
and peace upon every martyr who has joined the caravan of love,
from Palestine’s stones to Yemen’s fire,
from Lebanon’s hills to Iran’s shrine-guardians.

And may the curse of God,
and the wrath of the oppressed,
be upon every Yazid —
from Karbala’s throne of deceit
to every coward king, false scholar, puppet ruler, seditionist tongue,
and the architects of ruin in every age.

May the earth shake under their palaces.
May the blood of Husayn avenge them,
and may the banner of the Mahdi end what the swords of Karbala began.

Never again shall Husayn be alone.

وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍۢ يَنقَلِبُونَ

“And those who have wronged shall soon know the [evil] return to which they shall return.”

—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

1. Adapted from Ziyarat Ashura. The original from Ziyarat Ashura is in the singular form, I have taken the liberty of pluralising it:

The original Arabic and English translation is as follows:

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِاللَّهِ
وَعَلَى الْأَرْوَاحِ الَّتِي حَلَّتْ بِفِنَائِكَ
عَلَيْكُمْ مِنِّي جَمِيعًا سَلاَمُ اللَّهِ أَبَدًا مَا بَقِيتُ وَبَقِيَ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ
وَلا جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنِّي لِزِيَارَتِكُمْ
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَى الْحُسَيْنِ
وَعَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ
وَعَلَى أَوْلَادِ الْحُسَيْنِ
وَعَلَى أَصْحَابِ الْحُسَيْنِ

Peace be upon you, O Aba Abdillah (O Husayn),
and upon the souls who have gathered in your courtyard.
Upon you, from me, is the peace of God—forever,
for as long as I remain and as long as night and day endure.
And may God never make this my last pledge to visit you.

Peace be upon al-Husayn,
and upon Ali, son of al-Husayn,
and upon the children of al-Husayn,
and upon the companions of al-Husayn.

I have made the following changes to the Arabic so as to pluralise:

• مِنِّي (minnī - from me) changed to مِنَّا (minnā - from us)

• بَقِيتُ (baqītu - I remain) changed to بَقِينَا (baqīnā - we remain)

• الْعَهْدِ مِنِّي (al-'ahdi minnī - my pledge) changed to الْعَهْدِ مِنَّا (al-'ahdi minnā - our pledge)

2. Luhuf 'ala Qatla al-Tufuf (لهوف على قتلى الطفوف), often simply referred to as Luhuf, meaning "Sighs for the Slain of Karbala," is a poignant and influential work by Sayyed Ibn Tawus that recounts the tragic events of the Battle of Karbala. This book serves as a deeply emotional and historically significant narrative of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) and his companions. Luhuf is cherished for its accessible prose, vivid descriptions, and its ability to evoke a profound sense of grief and empathy for the suffering endured by the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). It is widely read during Muharram commemorations and serves as a primary source for understanding the moral, spiritual, and historical dimensions of the Karbala narrative, inspiring Shia Muslims to reflect on the sacrifices made for justice and truth. Luhuf remains a testament to Sayyed Ibn Tawus's profound devotion and his commitment to preserving the memory of Imam Husayn's sacrifice.

3. Sayyed Ibn Tawus (1193–1266 CE / 589–664 AH) is revered as one of the most eminent and spiritually influential scholars in Shia Islam. Born into a noble family in Hillah, Iraq, he was a descendant of both Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (peace be upon them), and his lineage, piety, and scholarship earned him the honorific title “Sayyed.” Ibn Tawus was renowned for his deep devotion, mystical insight, and prolific authorship, producing works that continue to shape Shia devotional and historical literature. Among his most celebrated books are Al-Iqbal al-A‘maal, Misbah al-Za’ir, and Luhuf, the latter being a widely referenced account of the tragedy of Karbala. His writings are characterised by their spiritual depth, careful documentation, and emphasis on the love and remembrance of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). Sayyed Ibn Tawus’s legacy endures in the hearts of Shia Muslims as a paragon of scholarship, spirituality, and unwavering loyalty to the Prophet’s family.

4. Nafas al-Mahmoum fi Musibat al-Husayn al-Mazloom (نَفَسُ ٱلْمَهْمُوم فِي مُصِيبَةِ ٱلْحُسَيْنِ ٱلْمَظْلُوم), meaning "The Breath of the Sorrowful in the Tragedy of the Oppressed Husayn," is a highly esteemed and widely read book by Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi that meticulously recounts the events surrounding the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) and his companions at Karbala. This work is celebrated for its comprehensive coverage, reliance on authentic sources, and its ability to evoke deep emotions of grief and reverence. Nafas al-Mahmoum provides a detailed narrative of the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath, including the captivity of the women and children of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). It serves as a crucial resource for Shia Muslims during Muharram commemorations, offering a profound understanding of the sacrifices made for justice and truth, and inspiring reflection on the enduring legacy of Imam Husayn's stand against oppression. Nafas al-Mahmoum remains a testament to Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi's scholarship and his unwavering devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt.

5. Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi (1877–1941 CE / 1294–1359 AH) was a renowned Shia scholar, historian, and master of hadeeth, celebrated for his deep piety and dedication to the preservation of Islamic teachings. Born in Qom, Iran, he devoted his life to religious scholarship, studying under prominent teachers in Najaf and Qom, and became widely respected for his humility, sincerity, and spiritual insight. Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi is best known for his authorship of Nafas al-Mahmoum, a moving and meticulously sourced account of the tragedy of Karbala, as well as for compiling Mafatih al-Jinan, the most popular Shia prayer manual used by millions of believers around the world. His works are characterised by their clarity, authenticity, and heartfelt devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), making them essential reading in Shia seminaries and households alike. Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi’s legacy endures as a beacon of scholarship, spirituality, and service to the Shia community.

6. Chronicles of the Martyrdom of Imam Husayn by Shaykh Muhammad Muhammadi Reyshahri is a comprehensive and meticulously researched work that documents the tragic events of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a). Drawing from a wide range of classical sources, the book presents a detailed narrative of the events leading up to Ashura, the day itself, and its aftermath, offering valuable insights into the spiritual, ethical, and historical dimensions of Imam Husayn’s sacrifice. Widely regarded in Shia scholarship, this text serves as both a reference and a devotional resource, helping readers deepen their understanding of the significance of Karbala in Islamic history.

7. Shaykh Muhammad Muhammadi Reyshahri (1945–2022 CE / 1364–1444 AH) was a prominent Iranian Shia scholar, jurist, and author known for his extensive contributions to Islamic scholarship and hadith studies. He served in various significant religious and political roles within the Islamic Republic of Iran, including as the first Minister of Intelligence and later as the custodian of the holy shrine of Abdul Azim al-Hasani in Rey. Renowned for his scholarly rigour, Shaykh Reyshahri authored numerous influential works, particularly in the fields of hadith, ethics, and the history of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), with Chronicles of the Martyrdom of Imam Husayn being among his most notable publications. His legacy continues to impact contemporary Shia thought and scholarship.

8. Ziyarat Nahiya al-Muqaddasah is a profound and moving devotional text attributed to the twelfth Imam of the Shia tradition, Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance). This ziyarat holds a special place in the hearts of believers, as it is not only a salutation to Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) and the martyrs of Karbala, but also serves as a unique narration of the tragedy of Ashura through the words of the awaited Imam himself. In many ways, Ziyarat Nahiya al-Muqaddasah functions as a maqtal—the account of Imam Husayn’s martyrdom—delivered by Imam Mahdi, offering a deeply personal and spiritual perspective on the events of Karbala.

Within its eloquent passages, the ziyarat expresses the Imam’s grief and sorrow for the suffering endured by his grandfather, Imam Husayn, and his loyal companions. It vividly recounts the pain, steadfastness, and ultimate sacrifice of the Ahl al-Bayt, while also condemning the oppressors responsible for the tragedy. Reciting Ziyarat Nahiya al-Muqaddasah allows the believer to connect with both the historical reality of Karbala and the ongoing spiritual bond with Imam Mahdi, reaffirming their allegiance to the values of justice, truth, and resistance against tyranny. This ziyarat is especially recited on the day of Ashura, Arbaeen, and during visits to the shrine of Imam Husayn, serving as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of Karbala in the words of the Imam of our time.

9. In Shia Islamic discourse, particularly when discussing the events of Ashura and the tragedy of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), the term "Taff" (طفّ) holds profound significance. Taff refers to the region, a plain near the banks of the Euphrates River, where the Battle of Karbala unfolded in 61 AH (680 CE). More than just a geographical location, Taff is a symbolic space laden with historical and spiritual weight. It represents the very ground upon which Imam Husayn and his devoted companions made their ultimate sacrifice, standing firm against injustice and oppression. To speak of "Taff" is to invoke the memory of their unwavering commitment to truth and the profound sorrow of their martyrdom, forever etching the name of this place into the hearts and minds of Shia Muslims as a testament to enduring faith and resistance.

10. Qays ibn Ashʿath al-Kindī (قيس بن الأشعث الكندي) - Qays was a chieftain of the Kinda tribe in Kufa, who outwardly pledged loyalty to Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) but betrayed him at Karbala. Historical maqtal sources record that he was among the commanders in ʿUmar ibn Saʿd’s army and personally stripped Imam Husayn’s shirt (qamis) from his blessed body after martyrdom. Qays ibn Ashʿath’s act remains a stark symbol of the betrayal of the Kufan elite who once invited the Imam, then sold him out for trivial gain.