The battle of Karbala took place on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH (October 10, 680 CE) in the desert of Karbala, near the river Euphrates in present-day Iraq. It was a tragic and bloody event that marked a turning point in Islamic history.
The Battle of Karbala: A Brief Overview
The battle was fought between the army of Yazid ibn Muawiya, the second Umayyad caliph, and a small group of supporters of Hazrat Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Hazrat Husayn was the son of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph and the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, and Hazrat Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet.
Husayn had refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid, who he considered an illegitimate and tyrannical ruler. Yazid had inherited the caliphate from his father Muawiya, who had seized power after a series of civil wars that followed the assassination of Ali. Muawiya had established a hereditary monarchy that violated the principles of Islamic democracy and justice.
Husayn had received many invitations from the people of Kufa, a city in Iraq, to come and lead them against Yazid. He decided to accept their call and set out from Mecca with his family and companions. However, on his way to Kufa, he was intercepted by a large army sent by Yazid and commanded by Umar ibn Saad.
Husayn and his followers were surrounded and besieged in the plain of Karbala. They were denied access to water and food for three days. On the day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, Husayn offered to negotiate with Yazid’s representatives, but they refused. They demanded that he either surrender or fight.
Husayn chose to fight for his principles and his dignity. He knew that he had no chance of victory against such a huge and well-equipped army, but he preferred martyrdom over humiliation. He gave a farewell speech to his companions and family, urging them to remain steadfast and loyal to Allah Almighty.
He then led his small group of warriors into battle. One by one, they fought bravely and fell as martyrs. Husayn himself was the last to fall. He was wounded by arrows, spears, and swords. He was beheaded by Shimr ibn Dhiljawshan, one of Yazid’s commanders. His head was taken to Yazid in Damascus as a trophy.
The women and children of Husayn’s family were taken as prisoners. They were paraded through the streets of Kufa and Damascus, where they faced insults and abuse. They were finally released after a year of captivity.
The battle of Karbala was a massacre that shocked and saddened the Muslim world. It exposed the corruption and oppression of the Umayyad dynasty. It also inspired a movement of resistance and reform that continues to this day.
The Martyrs of Karbala: Who They Were
The martyrs of Karbala are revered by millions of Muslims, especially by the Shia Muslims, who consider Hazrat Husayn as their third Imam (spiritual leader) after Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Hasan (Husayn’s older brother). They commemorate their sacrifice every year during the month of Muharram, especially on the day of Ashura.
The martyrs of Karbala include members of Husayn’s family, his relatives, his friends, and his loyal supporters. They were 72 in total, according to most sources. Here is a list of some of them:
- Husayn ibn Ali: The leader of the martyrs and the grandson of the Prophet.
- Abbas ibn Ali: The half-brother of Husayn and his standard-bearer. He was known for his courage and loyalty. He lost both his arms while trying to bring water for the thirsty children.
- Ali al-Akbar ibn Husayn: The eldest son of Husayn and his most beloved. He resembled the Prophet in his appearance and character. He was killed by a spear that pierced his chest.
- Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn: The youngest son of Husayn, who was only six months old. He was killed by an arrow that struck his throat while he was in his father’s arms.
- Abdullah ibn Ali: The son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Umm al-Banin (the mother of Abbas). He was killed by an arrow that hit his forehead.
- Ja’far ibn Ali: Another son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Umm al-Banin. He was killed by a sword that cut his neck.
- Uthman ibn Ali: Another son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Umm al-Banin. He was killed by a spear that pierced his heart.
- Abu Bakr ibn Ali: Another son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Umm al-Banin. He was killed by a sword that struck his head.
- Abu Bakr ibn Hasan: The son of Hasan ibn Ali and the nephew of Husayn. He was killed by a sword that slashed his body.
- Qasim ibn Hasan: Another son of Hasan ibn Ali and the nephew of Husayn. He was only 13 years old. He was killed by a horse that trampled him.
- Abdullah ibn Hasan: Another son of Hasan ibn Ali and the nephew of Husayn. He was only 11 years old. He was killed by an arrow that hit his face while he was trying to protect his uncle’s body.
- Aun ibn Abdullah ibn Ja’far: The son of Abdullah ibn Ja’far and Zainab (the sister of Husayn). He was killed by a spear that pierced his back.
- Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Ja’far: Another son of Abdullah ibn Ja’far and Zainab. He was killed by a sword that cut his head.
- Abdullah ibn Muslim ibn Aqeel: The son of Muslim ibn Aqeel, who was the cousin and envoy of Husayn. He was killed by an arrow that struck his eye.
- Muhammad ibn Muslim ibn Aqeel: Another son of Muslim ibn Aqeel. He was killed by a sword that slashed his throat.
- Muhammad ibn Sa’id ibn Aqeel: Another son of Muslim ibn Aqeel. He was killed by a spear that stabbed his chest.
- Abdur Rahman ibn Aqeel: The son of Aqeel ibn Abi Talib, who was the cousin and brother-in-law of Ali. He was killed by a sword that cut his arm.
- Ja’far ibn Aqeel: Another son of Aqeel ibn Abi Talib. He was killed by a sword that struck his head.
The rest of the martyrs were from various tribes and regions, such as Bani Asad, Bani Hashim, Bani Tamim, Bani Hamdan, Bani Khas’am, Bani Kinda, Bani Ghaffar, and others. They were loyal companions and followers of Husayn, who joined him on his journey to Kufa or met him on the way to Karbala.
Some of them were:
- Uns ibn Harith al-Asadi: A nobleman from Kufa who had written to Husayn inviting him to come. He regretted his role in bringing Husayn to Iraq and decided to join him in Karbala. He was killed by an arrow that hit his chest.
- Habib ibn Muzahir al-Asadi: A close friend of Husayn since childhood. He was one of the leaders of the Kufans who supported Husayn. He was killed by a sword that cut his head.
- Muslim ibn Awsaja al-Asadi: Another leader of the Kufans who supported Husayn. He was one of the first to pledge allegiance to him in Mecca. He was killed by an arrow that struck his neck.
- Qais ibn Mushir al-Saidawi al-Asadi: A brave warrior who fought valiantly in Karbala. He was killed by a sword that slashed his body.
- Abu Samama Umair ibn Abdullah al-Arhabi: A companion of the Prophet who had participated in many battles with him. He was one of the oldest men in Karbala. He was killed by an arrow that hit his stomach.
- Burair ibn Khudair al-Hamadani: A scholar and a reciter of the Quran. He had memorized the entire Quran and used to teach it to others. He was killed by an arrow that pierced his throat.
- Hanala bin Asad al-Shabami: A pious man who had performed many pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina. He had met Husayn in Medina and decided to accompany him to Iraq. He was killed by a spear that stabbed his heart.
- Abis bin Abi Shabib al-Shakiri: A brave and generous man who had given away all his wealth in charity. He had met Husayn on the way to Iraq and joined him in Karbala. He was killed by a sword that cut his head.
These are some of the martyrs of Karbala, who gave their lives for the sake of Islam and justice. They are honored and remembered by millions of Muslims around the world, who mourn their loss and learn from their example.
The Legacy of the Martyrs of Karbala
The martyrs of Karbala did not die in vain. Their sacrifice had a profound impact on the history and development of Islam. They inspired generations of Muslims to stand up for their rights and resist oppression and injustice.
The battle of Karbala also marked the emergence of the Shia sect, which considers Husayn and his descendants as the rightful successors of the Prophet. The Shia Muslims have faced persecution and discrimination throughout history, but they have also produced many scholars, leaders, and reformers who have contributed to the Islamic civilization.
The martyrs of Karbala are also revered by other sects and groups within Islam, such as the Sufis, who regard Husayn as a symbol of spiritual purity and love. The Sufis have composed many poems and songs in praise of Husayn and his companions.
How Non Muslims Consider Hazrat Imam Husayn
The martyrs of Karbala are also respected by some non-Muslims, who admire their courage and devotion. Some examples are:
- Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement, who said: “I learned from Husayn how to achieve victory while being oppressed.”
- Charles Dickens, the famous English novelist, who wrote: “If Husayn had fought to quench his worldly desires…then I do not understand why his sister, wife, and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.”
- Edward Gibbon, the renowned British historian, who wrote: “In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Husayn will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.”
The martyrs of Karbala are a source of inspiration and guidance for all Muslims and humanity. They teach us the values of faith, courage, loyalty, patience, sacrifice, and justice. They remind us of our duty to Allah Almighty and our fellow human beings. They show us how to live and die with dignity and honor.
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