In the Name of God, the
Compassionate, the Merciful
Name: Al-Hussein
Father: Ali, son of Abu Talib
Date of Birth: He was born in Medina, on the third of Sha’ban in the
year 4 A.H. (1/8/626).
Date of Death: 10th of Muharram, 61 A.H. 10/10/680
Martyrdom: Sword of Shimr, in the Battle of Ashura
Kunyah: Abu Abdallah
Title: Sayyidu’sh Shuhada’ as Sibt (al-Asghar)
THE BIRTH OF IMAM HUSSAIN (A.S.)
Six months after Al-Hassan was born, Fatima(s.a.) became pregnant with
her second child. Lady Fatima started noticing the signs that
childbearing was near, but the Prophet (s.a.w.) had already foretold of
Imam Hussin’s birth.
On the third of the blessed month of Sha’ban, the fourth year after
Hijra, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) was given news of the birth of
Imam Hussein (a.s.). He (s.a.w.) hurried to the house of Imam Ali and
Fatima al-Zahra.
Safia Bint Abdul Muttalib, Asma Bint Umais, and Um Salama were present
when Imam Hussain was born.
When the Prophet asked Safia (his aunt) to bring him the newborn child,
she said: "We have not cleaned him yet." When the Prophet heard this, he
(s.a.w.) said: "You clean him? Surely Allah the Exalted has cleaned and
purified him"
Asma took the newborn child to him. The infant was wrapped in a piece of
cloth. The face of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) lit up upon seeing
his grandson. He took him in his arms. He recited the call to prayer
(adan) into his right ear, and read the shorter version (iqama) in his
left ear. He, then, placed the baby in his lap and wept.
"May my father and mother be your sacrifice," Asma asked him, "why are
you crying?"
"Because of my son," he (s.a.w) replied.
"He is a newborn baby," she said.
"O Asma," he (s.a.w) said, "After me, the transgressing party will kill
him. May Allah never grant them my intercession."
Then he said: "Asma, do not tell Fatima about this, for she has just
given birth to him."
After Al-Hussein was born, Gabriel descended to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and
revealed to him to give the new baby the name Al-Hussain. Al-Hussain is
the Arabic version of the old Hebrew name Shabir, which was Haroun’s
second son’s name. When Gabriel descended to the Prophet, scores of
angels accompanied him to congratulate and console the Prophet for
Hussain’s birth and expected martyrdom.
Seven days after the birth , the Messenger of Allah shaved Hussain’s
head and gave the weight of his hair as charity for him.
Some Traditions on Imam al-Husain (AS)
In this article, I would like to present some of the traditions recorded
in the Sunni collections of the traditions Regarding him:
The Messenger of Allah said:
"Al-Hasan and al-Husain are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise and Fatimah is the chief of their women."
Sunni References:
(1) Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p660, on the authority of Abu Sa'id and
Hudhayfa
(2) Sunan Ibn Majah, Introduction 8
(3) al-Tabarani, on the authorities of: Umar, Ali, Jabir, Abu Hurayrah,
Usamah Ibn Zaid, al-Baraa, Ibn 'Adi, and Ibn Masud.
(4) al-Kubra, by al-Nisa'i
(5) Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, pp 62,82, v3, pp 3,64, v5, p391
(6) Fada'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, p771, Tradition #1360
(7) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, pp 166,167
(8) Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu'aym, v5, p71
(9) Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p187
(10) Tuhfatul Ashraf, by Lumzi, v3, p31
(11) Ibn Habban, as mentioned in al-Mawarid, pp 551,553
(12) al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3,
p290
(13) Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version,
Tdadition #6154
Also it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
"Husain is from me and I am from Husain."
Sunni References:
(1) Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v4, p172
(2) Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, p772, Tradition #1361
(3) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p 177
(4) Amali, by Abu Nu'aym al-Isbahani, p 64
(5) al-Kuna wal Asmaa, by al-Dulabi, v1, p88
(6) al-Tabarani, v3, p21
(7) Adab by al-Bukhari, also al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, as quoted in:
(8) al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3,
p291
(9) Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition
#6160
The last part of the above tradition probably means that Imam Husain
(AS), by sacrificing himself and his family, preserved the religion of Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH&HF) from full annihilation.
Abu Huraira narrated: The Prophet (PBUH) looked toward Ali, Hasan, Husain, and Fatimah (AS),
and then said:
"I am in war with those who will fight you, and in
peace with those who are peaceful to you."
Sunni references:
(1) Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p699
(2) Sunan Ibn Majah, v1, p52
(3) Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p767, Tradition #1350
(4) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, p149
(5) Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p169
(6) al-Kabir, by al-Tabarani, v3, p30, also in al-Awsat
(7) Jami' al-Saghir, by al-Ibani, v2, p17
(8) Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v7, p137
(9) Sawaiq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, p144
(10) Talkhis, by al-Dhahabi, v3, p149
(11) Dhakha'ir al-Uqba, by al-Muhib al-Tabari, p25
(12) Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version,
Tdadition #6145
Also:
The Messenger of Allah said:
"He who loves al-Hasan and al-Husain, has loved me, and he who makes them angry has made me angry."
Sunni reference:
- Sunan Ibn Majah,
- al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, from Abu Hurairah
- Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quited in:
- al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3, p292
It is narrated in two wordings that the Messenger of Allah said:
"I named Hasan and Husain and Muhsin the names of the sons of Aaron (Haroon) who were: Shubbar, Shubair, and
Mushbir."
Sunni references:
(1) Sunan Abu Dawud al-Tilyasi, v1, p232 (without mentioning Muhsin)
(2) Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p774, Tradition #1365
(3) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v3, pp 165,168
(4) Kashf al-Astar, by al-Bazzar, v2, p416
(5) Ibn Habban, as quoted in al-Mawarid, p551
(6) al-Tabarani, v3, p100
(7) Idhaah, Abdul Ghani, from Salman al-Farsi
(8) al-Mu'jam, by al-Baghawi, as quoted in:
(9) al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3,
p292
Usamah ibn Zayd narrated that, I went to the Prophet (PBUH&HF) one night about something I required
and he came out with something (I did not know what) under his cloak.
Then I had finished telling him my business I asked him what he had
under his cloak, and when he opened it I saw al-Hasan and al-Husain on
his hips. He then said,
"These are my sons and my daughter's sons. O
Allah, I love them, so I beseech Thee to love them and those who love
them."
Sunni References:
- Sahih Tirmidhi, per:
- Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition
#6156
Anas ibn Malik Narrated: When Allah's Messenger (PBUH&HF) was asked which member of his family
was the dearest to him, he replied, "Al-Hasan and al-Husain." He used to
say to Fatimah, "Call my two sons to me," and then would sniff and
cuddle them.
Sunni References:
- Sahih Tirmidhi, per:
- Mishkat al-Masabih, by Khatib al-Tabrizi, English Version, Tdadition
#6158
Imam Husain (AS) said: "Don't you see that the truth is not followed
and the falsehood is not discouraged? (The situation is so severe) so
that a Believer wishes to meet Allah (i.e., to die). And today I don't
see death but prosperity, and living with tyrants is nothing but
disgust and disgrace."
Sunni Reference: Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu'aym, v2, p39
Imam Husain (AS) said in the day of Ashura: "If you do not have any
religion, then at least be noble and broad-minded in your present life."
HISTORY OF THE SHRINE OF IMAM HUSAIN IBN
ALI IBN ABI TALIB
Unlike any other city, Karbala has its named engraved in the memory of
generations, and in the expanse of the Muslim world...
Believers remember that name with sorrow and distress, for they remember
the history of the master of all martyrs, Imam Husain, peace be upon
him, and his sacrifice for Islam.
The wave of visitors never stopped coming to Karbala, from the time the
Umayyad and Abbaside caliphs prevented the construction of the shrines
to the time the believers were able to build the precinct, despite the
hardships and difficulties imposed on them.
And today, since Karbala is witnessing new calamities, and the
mausoleums of Imam Husain [a] and his companions are subjected to
destruction and neglect, and visitors are prevented from reaching that
place, it is suitable to familiarise ourselves with Karbala...
Two main roads lead the visitor to Karbala. One is from the Iraqi
capital Baghdad, through Al-Musails, and the other is from the holy city
of Najaf. However, either one excites the visitor with its greenish
scenery along the sides.
Upon reaching Karbala, the holy place would draw the visitor's attention
to its glorious minarets and domes shining due to the light of its lord.
At the city's entrance, the visitor finds a row of houses decorated with
wooden columns, and while proceeding further towards the holy mausoleum,
he sees architechture similar, to some extent, to modern ones.
Upon reaching the holy shrine, one finds himself in front of a boundary
wall that surrounds wooden gates covered with glass decorations, and
when one enters one of those gates, he enters a precinct surrounded by
small rooms called "Iwans".
The holy grave is located in the middle of the precinct, surrounded by
square shaped structures called "Rawaq".
The grave itself is located in the middle of the grave site with golden
windows around it, with beautiful illumination. It really is something
great to see.
"Karbala" Origin & Meaning
There are many opinions among different investigators, as to the origin
of the word "Karbala".
Some have pointed out that "Karbala" has a connection to the "Karbalato"
language, while others attempt to derive the meaning of word "Karbala"
by analysing its spelling and language. They conclude that it originates
from the Arabic word "Kar Babel" which was a group of ancient Babylonian
villages that included Nainawa, Al-Ghadiriyya, Karbella, Al-Nawaweess,
and Al-Heer. This last name is today known as Al-Hair and is where Imam
Husayn's [a] grave is located.
The investigator Yaqut al-Hamawy had pointed out that the meaning of
"Karbala" could have several explanations, one of which is that the
place where Imam Husayn [a] was killed is made of soft earth -
"Al-Karbalat".
Other writers made the connection between the name and the disastrous
event which painted the desert with blood, and so the word "Karbala" was
said to compose of two Arabic words: "Karb" meaning grief and sorrow,
and "Balaa" meaning affliction. Such a connection, in fact, has no
scientific evidence, since Karbala was known as such even before the
arrival of Imam Husain, peace be upon him.
Martyrdom and popularity
Karbala was at first an uninhabited place and did not witness any
construction activity, although it was rich in water and its soil
fertile.
Following the tenth of Muharram 61 AH (680 AD), after the martyrdom of
Imam Husain [a], people from far as well as tribes living nearby started
visiting the holy grave.
A lot of those who came, stayed behind and/or asked their relatives to
bury them there after their demise.
Despite many attempts by successive rulers, such as Al-Rashid and
Al-Mutawakkil, to put a restriction on the development of this area, it
has nonetheless spread with time to become a city.
Bounty of visiting Imam Husayn [a]
There is a lot of benefit and great spiritual reward in visiting the
grave of Imam Husain [a]. The Prophet [s] has said of his grandson Imam
Husain [a]: "Husain is of me and I am of him". Several narrations
mention that visiting the grave of Imam Husain [a] relieves one of
worldly afflictions as well as those after death.
Believers, therefore, come from all parts of the world all year round to
receive the honour of visiting Imam Husain [a], particularly during the
first ten days of Muharram (Ashura) and the twentieth of Safar (the
fourtieth).
One common Iraqi custom during that season is to go walking from Najaf
to Karbala, reflecting their strong adhesion to and adoption of the
morals and principles for which Imam Husain [a] struggled and attained
martyrdom.
Mausoleum of Imam Husain, peace be upon him
The historian Ibn Kuluwayh mentioned that those who buried Imam Husain
[a], made a special and rigid construction with signs above the grave.
Higher and bigger constructions above the grave started during the
ruling of Al-Saffah, but Harun al-Rashid later on, put heavy
restrictions to prevent people from visiting the grave.
At the time of Al-Mamun, construction around the grave resumed until the
year 236 AH when Al-Mutawakkil ordered the destruction and digging of
the grave, and then filling the pit with water. His son, who succeeded
him, allowed people to visit the grave site, and since then building the
precinct to the grave increased and developed step by step.
On the other hand, the historian Ibn Al-Athir, stated that in the year
371 AH, Aadod Al-Dawla Al-Boowayhi became the first to largely lay the
foundations for large scale construction, and generously decorated the
place. He also built houses and markets around the precinct, and
surrounded Karbala with a high boundary wall turning it into a strong
castle.
In the year 407 AH, the precinct caught fire due to the dropping of two
large candles on the wooden decorations, but Hasan ibn Fadl (the state
minister) rebuilt the damaged sections.
History has recorded the names of several rulers who shared the honour
of widening, decorating or keeping the precinct in good condition.
Amongst them is Fateh Ali al-Qajari, who in 1250 AH ordered the
construction of two domes. One over Imam Husain's [a] grave and the
other over his brother Abu al-Fadl Abbas [a].
The first dome is 27 meters high and completely covered with gold. At
the bottom, it is surrounded with 12 windows, each of which is about
1.25 m away from the other, from the inside, and 1.30 m from the
outside.
The mausoleum has an area of 59 m / 75 m with ten gates, and about 65
rooms (I wans), well decorated from the inside and outside, used as
classrooms for studying.
As for the grave itself, in the middle of the precinct, it is called the
"Rawda" or garden and it has several doors. The most famous one is
called "Al-Qibla" or "Bab al-Dhahab". When it is entered, one can see
the tomb of Habib ibn Madhahir al-Asadi, to the right hand side. Habib
was a friend and companion of Imam Husain [a] since their childhood. He
was one of those who was honoured with martrdom at the Battle of
Karbala.
he resting place of Abbas b. Ali, peace be upon him
Abu al-Fadl Abbas, peace be upon him, was the brother of Imam Hasain [a]
and Imam Husayn [a] and the standard-bearer of Imam Husain [a] in the
Battle of Karbala. He is well known in history for his valour, loyalty
and similarity to his father, the Lion of God, Ali b. Abi Talib, peace
be upon him.
The grave of Abbas [a] received similar attention as that of Imam Husain
[a]. In the year 1032 AH, the King Tahmaseb ordered the decoration of
the grave's dome. He built a window on the 'darih' around the grave and
organized the precinct. Other similar activities were done by other
rulers.
As a matter of fact, Karbala contains, besides the grave of Imam Husain
[a] and his brother, the grave of all the 72 martyrs of Karbala. They
were buried in a mass grave which was then covered with soil to the
ground level. This mass grave is at the foot of Imam Husain's [a] grave.
In particular, besides Imam Husain's grave are the graves of his two
sons Ali Akbar and 6-month old Ali Asgher.
