Abu Hamza Sumali, relates from Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (A.S.) that he said:
On the night preceding his Martyrdom, my father gathered his family and companions and said,
"O people of my family and my Shi’ah! Consider this night, which has come to you as a mounting Camel and save yourselves, for these people do not desire anyone else except me. Then if they kill me, they shall not pursue you. May Allah have mercy upon you! Save yourselves. Verily I lift the responsibility of the allegiance and pledge which you have taken at my hands."
Hearing this his brothers, relatives and companions unanimously said, "By Allah O our Master! O Aba Abdillah! We shall never betray you, so that people may say that we had abandoned our Imam, our Chief and Master, until he was martyred. Then we would seek excuses between ourselves and Allah. And we shall not leave you until we ransom ourselves upon you." Imam said,
"Verily I shall be killed tomorrow and everyone from among yourselves too shall be killed with me, and none among you shall be spared."
To which they replied, "Praise be to Allah, that He has bestowed grace upon us to assist you, and has offered distinction to us to get martyred along with you. Then do we not endear that we should be along with you in your elevated station (in Paradise) O son of the Prophet of Allah"? Imam replied,
"May Allah reward you favourably"
Then he prayed for them. When it dawned, all of them were martyred.
Shaikh Sadooq relates from Salim bin Abu Ja’dah, who says that I heard Ka’ab al Ehbar say that, "It is stated in our books that a man from among the sons of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) would be killed, and they (the martyrs) would enter Paradise even before the sweat of the horses of his companions dry, while the Hoories will fondle them." Thus when Imam Hasan (A.S.) passed by us, we asked him as to was he the one referred to (regarding it in their books), and he replied in the negative, and then when Imam Husain (A.S.) passed by us, we asked him the same question and he replied in the affirmative.
It is related that it was inquired from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (A.S.) that, "Please relate to us the state and the self sacrifice of the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.)." Imam replied,
"The veil had been lifted off their eyes and they saw their places in Paradise. Hence they excelled one another in sacrificing their lives, so as to hasten to meet the Hoories and be fondled by them and reach their places in Paradise."
This has been referred to in Ziyarate Nahiyah. After quoting the names of the Martyrs, it is said,
"I bear witness that Allah lifted the veils off your eyes and presented you with spread beds and enormous gifts."
It is related through successive chain of narrators in Ma’aniyal Akhbar from Imam Mohammad at Taqi (A.S.), who relates from his Blessed Ancestors (A.S.) reaching Imam Ali Zainul Abedeen (A.S.), who says that: When the matter of Imam Husain (A.S.) turned severe, his fellow-travelers saw him in a different state, unlike others. For as much as the severity increased, the colour of their faces became pale and they would shiver, while their hearts would be frightful. But Imam Husain (A.S.), and some of his distinguished companions were cheerful, at peace and tranquilled. They were telling one another, "Do you not see, they do not fear death the least."
Imam Husain (A.S.) said,
"Forebear, O sons of noblemen! Death is nothing but a bridge, which would take you from the place of hardship and severity to the spacious Paradise and eternal bliss. Then who among you is such that does not desire to be free from the prison and hasten towards the palaces? While death for your enemies is such, that they shall be transferred from the palace to the prison and fall prey to the wrath of Allah. I have heard my father Imam Ali (A.S.), who relates from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) that he said, that this world is a prison for the believers and Paradise for the disbelievers, while death is a bridge for them (believers) to enter Paradise and for them (disbelievers) to enter hell. I have not lied nor have I been told a lie."
Regarding the pagans of Quraysh and their mutiny in astray and perdition, Allah says,
"And indeed has come unto them some of the tidings wherein is restraint (from evil), Consummate wisdom, but (they) availed not (of) the warnings."[61]
Similar was the case with the army of Umar bin Sa’ad. Then the repeated speeches of our Master Imam Husain (A.S.) and his companions, counseling them, completing their proofs (to councel them) and eliminating their error, but they were not benefited.
Hurr bin Yazid joins Imam Husain (A.S.)
When Hurr saw that the people have resolved to kill Imam Husain (A.S.), and when he heard Imam calling out:
"Is there none who would hasten to assist us in the name of Allah? Is there none who would defend the Household of the Prophet"?
Then Hurr told Umar bin Sa’ad, "O Umar! Then will you really fight this man"? He replied, "Yes, by Allah! The battle, which if goes smoothly, will result in the rolling of heads and cutting off the hands." Hurr said, "Then is his proposal unacceptable to you"? Umar replied, "If the situation would have been in my hands, I would certainly have yielded to his request, but your commander will not accept it." Hurr then left him and stood alone far away from others, while his fellow-traveler, named Qurrah bin Qays, was along with him. Hurr said, "O Qurrah! Have you fed your horse today"? He replied in the negative. Hurr said, "Then do you not desire quenching it’s thirst"? Qurrah says that I doubted that perhaps he wanted to skip away from the battle and did not like that I should see him going away, hence I said, "I shall now be doing so." Hearing this Hurr moved away from there. Qurrah says that, "By Allah! If only Hurr had revealed to me what he intended, I too would have accompanied him to the presence of Imam Husain (A.S.)." Then slowly Hurr started moving closer to Imam Husain (A.S.).
Muhajir bin Aws told him, "O son of Yazid! What do you intend? Do you intend to lay siege"? Hurr did not answer him but was shivering. Muhajir said, "Verily your state seems dubious. I have never ever seen you in any battle in a similar state in which you are now. If I would have been questioned as to who is the most valorous among the Kufans, I would not hesitate to take your name. What is this state I presently see you in"? Hurr replied, "I find myself between Paradise and hell. And by Allah! I shall not exalt anything else over Paradise, even if I be cut into pieces or burnt." Then Hurr struck his horse (Malhoof) and turned to go towards Imam Husain (A.S.)
Hurr had kept his hands on his head (like a prisoner) and was saying, "O Allah! I am returning towards You, thus You accept me, for I have put fear into the hearts of Your friends and the children of the Prophet’s grandson."
(Irshad, Kamil) Tabari says that when he neared Imam Husain (A.S.) and his companions, he overturned his shield and saluted them. Then he went to Imam Husain (A.S.) and said, "May I be your ransom O son of the Prophet of Allah! I am the one who had stopped you from returning back and had accompanied you all along and had forced you to alight here. But I had not known that these people would directly refuse your proposal and bring you to this present state. By Allah! If I had known that they would do to you such, I would not have undertaken that what I have done. Hence now I apologize to Allah regarding that what I have done, and then do you think that my repentance would be accepted"? Imam Husain (A.S.) replied,
"May Allah accept your repentance! Thus alight from your horse."
Hurr replied, "It is better for me to be mounted and serve you and fight with them, thus ultimately I will have to alight from my horse (when I am wounded)." Then Imam replied,
"May your Lord have mercy upon you, do as you desire."
Then he stood in front of Imam Husain (A.S.) and said, "O Kufans! May your mothers be deprived of you! You invited the righteous slave of Allah, and then when he came to you, you handed him over to the enemy, when you had intended to defend him with your lives? Then now you have begun to fight him so as to kill him. You have taken hold of him and seized his collar, and have surrounded him from all sides so that he may not be able to escape to the vast towns of Allah. He is now left as a prisoner amongst you, then he cannot benefit himself nor can he ward off the evil from it. Then you have stopped him, along with his women-folk, his children and family, from the waters of Euphratus, which is open for the Jews, Christians and Sabians, and the pigs and dogs of Iraq roll therein, while they would perish because of thirst? How badly have you behaved with the Progeny of Mohammad (S.A.W.) after his death? May Allah not quench your thirst on the day of extreme thirst (Qiyamah)!" Hearing this some of the soldiers attacked him and started shooting arrows at him, then Hurr came and stood in front of Imam Husain (A.S.)
It is quoted in Tazkirah of Sibt ibne Jawzi, that Imam Husain (A.S.) then called out to Shabas bin Rab’ee, Hajjar bin Abjar, Qays bin Ash’as and Yazeed bin Hars and said,
"Did you not write letters to me"?
They replied, "We do not know what you say." Hurr bin Yazeed, who was their leader, said, "Yes by Allah! We had written to you and we are the ones who have brought you here. Thus may Allah keep away vain and the vain-doers. By Allah! I shall not prefer this world over the Hereafter", saying this he turned his horse and entered the ranks of Imam Husain (A.S.). Imam said,
"Welcome! You are at liberty in this world as well as the Hereafter."
(Ibne Nima) It is related that Hurr told Imam Husain (A.S.) that, "When Ubaydullah commanded me to come towards you and I came out from the palace, I heard a voice calling out at me from behind saying: Have glad tidings of goodness O Hurr! I turned around to see but there was none visible. Then I wondered that by Allah, what glad tidings is this, for I am proceeding to a combat with Imam Husain (A.S.), and I had not yet intended assisting you." Imam replied,
"But now you have (ultimately) reached goodness."
Then Umar bin Sa’ad called out, "O Durayd! Bring the standard closer." When he brought it closer, Umar fixed an arrow in his bow and shot it saying, "Be a witness that I am the one to shoot the first arrow." Then others followed suit and challenged for combat.
Mohammad bin Abu Talib says that there was none among the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.), who was not wounded by it. It is said that after the rain of arrows, only a few companions of Imam (A.S.) survived, while fifty companions attained martyrdom.
(Tabari) Azdi says that Abu Janab, from the clan of Bani Kalb, related to me that in our tribe there was a man named Abdullah bin Umayr, from the clan of Bani Aleem. He had started living in Kufa and owned a house on the head of the well of Bani Ja’ad, from the tribe of Hamadan. His wife, who was from the clan of Umro bin Qasit, was named Umme Wahab, the daughter of Abd. He saw an army parading in Nukhaylah preparing for the battle against Imam Husain (A.S.), the grandson of the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.). Abdullah says that, "By Allah! I had an intense desire to fight against the polytheists. But now I desire fighting those who have decided to fight the grandson of the Prophet. While my reward with Allah would not be less than that for fighting against the polytheists." Then he went to his wife and related to her what he had heard and also informed her his desire. She replied, "Verily whatever you have decided is right. May your Allah guide you towards righteousness in all your matters, go and take me too alongwith you." He then withdrew and reached Imam Husain (A.S.) and remained with him until Umar bin Sa’ad shot the arrows towards them and his army followed suit.
Then Yasar, the retainer of Ziyad, and Salim, the retainer of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, stepped into the battlefield and called out for combat. Hearing this Habib bin Mazahir and Burayr (bin Khuzayr) stood up to reply, but Imam Husain (A.S.) signaled them to sit down. Then Abdullah bin Umayr Kalbi stood up and asked permission to fight them. Imam saw him to be a tawny man with a tall stature, sturdy arms and broad shoulders, he said,
"In my opinion he is a fatal match, then you may leave if you desire meeting his challenge."
When Abdullah went towards them, they asked, "Who are you"? Abdullah related to them his lineage and they said, "We do not recognise you. Zuhayr bin Qayn, Habib bin Mazahir or Buzayr bin Khuzayr should have come." Yasar was standing with a naked sword near Salim. Abdullah said, "O illegitimate son! Do you disdain fighting one man? Whoever shall come to fight you shall surely be better than you", saying this he attacked Yasar instantly and striking him with his sword killed him. When he was engaged in striking at him, Salim attacked him. Someone called out to him saying, "This slave is lingering behind you." Abdullah was heedless until Salim galloped upon him and he struck at him with his sword. Abdullah stretched his left hand forward, the fingers of which got cut. Then Abdullah attacked him and killed him.
Then Abdullah recited the Rajaz, having killed both of them: "If you do not know me, I am from the Bani Kalb, it is sufficient for me that my family is from Bani Ulaym, I am a warrior and a man with a strong nerve, and am not the one who shrieks at the time of anxiety, O Umme Wahab! I am answerable to you in respect of the sword and spear of a man who believes in Allah."
His wife Umme Wahab picked up a peg of a tent in her hand and advanced towards her husband calling out: "May my parents be your ransom! Fight in the way of the pure progeny of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.)." Abdullah advanced towards her to send her back to the tents, but she caught hold of his shirt and said, "I shall not leave you until I am killed along with you." Imam Husain (A.S.) called out to her, "May you be rewarded fairly on account of the Household of the Prophet, return back. May Allah’s mercy be upon you! Come to the ladies for Jihad is not obligatory upon women." Hearing this she returned back.
(Irshad, Tabari, Kamil) Then Umro bin Hajjaj, with his army, attacked the right wing of the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.). When they came near, Imam’s companions knelt down pointing their spears towards them. Their horses were afraid to advance towards the spears and retreated back. Then Imam’s companions shot arrows towards them killing some of them while wounding others.
(Tabari, Kamil) A person from among the (clan of) Bani Tameem, named Abdullah bin Hawzah, advanced further until he came face to face with Imam Husain (A.S.) and called out to him. Imam replied,
"What do you desire"?
The accursed replied, "May you get the good news of the (hell) fire." (Allah’s refuge) Imam replied,
"No, it is not as you say. I am proceeding to the presence of the Merciful Lord and the intercessor, who is obeyed."
Then he inquired as to who he was, and was told that he was the son of Hawzah. Imam said,
"O Allah! Send him to the fire (of hell)."
Suddenly his horse was aroused and threw him down. (Irshad). But his left foot got entangled in the stirrup while his right foot was raised in the air. Then Muslim bin Awsaja attacked and cut his right foot. The horse started running with him with his head hitting against the stones and trees of the desert until he died. Thus his spirit hastened towards (the fire of) hell.
(Tabari) Azdi relates from Ata’a bin Saeb, who relates from Abdul Jabbar bin Wael, from his brother Masrooq bin Wael that I was along with the army, who had advanced towards Imam Husain (A.S.). I requested to be in the forefront so as to get the head of Imam and thus earn honour in the presence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. When we reached him, a person from amongst us named Ibne Hawzah advanced further and said, "Is Husain amongst you"? But Imam did not answer him. When he repeated it thrice, Imam said,
"Yes, here is Husain, what do you desire"?
He said, "O Husain! Take glad tidings of (hell) fire" (Allah’s refuge). Imam said,
"Verily you speak a lie, I am proceeding towards the forgiving Lord and an intercessor, who is obeyed. Who are you"?
He replied that he was the son of Hawzah. The narrator says that then Imam lifted his hands towards the heavens such high, that we could see the whiteness of his underarms from below his clothes, and said,
"O Lord! Hasten him towards the fire (of hell)."
Hearing this Ibne Hawzah was enraged and desired to gallop his horse towards Imam, but there was a moat in between them. Suddenly his foot got entangled in the stirrup and the horse dragged him until he fell off. Then his leg, peduncle and thigh separated, while the other half of his body lay suspended on the stirrup. Seeing this Masrooq returned and hid behind the horsemen. The narrator further says that I questioned him (Masrooq) regarding his return and he replied that, "I have seen such (wonders) from this family that I shall never ever fight them."
Martyrdom of Burayr bin Khuzayr
(Tabari) Thus the battle started. Azdi says that Yusuf bin Yazeed related to me from Afeef bin Zuhayr bin Abi Akhnas, who was present at Karbala. He says that Yazeed bin Ma’qal, who was from the tribe of Bani Umayrah bin Rabi’ah, which is a branch of Bani Salimah of Abdal Qays, came forward. He told Burayr, "O Burayr bin Khuzayr! Do you see as to what Allah has done to you." Burayr replied, "By Allah! Allah has dealt fairly with me and has brought forth evil for you." Yazeed said, "You speak a lie, and you never lied before. Do you remember once when I was walking along with you in Bani Lawzan, you told me that Usman bin Affan had killed himself, while Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan was a misguided man and the one who leads others astray, while the true and Righteous Imam and guide is Ali bin Abi Talib"? Burayr replied, "I bear witness that this is (still) my belief." Yazeed bin Ma’qal said, "I bear witness that you are among the astray." Then Burayr said, "Then do you desire that we imprecate one another, while invoking the curse of Allah upon the one who lies. Then the one on the right path should kill the one who is upon the wrong, and then I shall come out to fight with you."
The narrator says that both of them came out into the battlefield and lifting their hands invoked the curse of Allah upon the liar and that the righteous one should kill the evil. Then they started fighting one another. There were exchanges of swords between them, when Yazeed bin Ma’qal dealt a light and ineffective blow on Burayr. Then Burayr dealt a blow upon his head, which cut his head and reached his brain. He rolled down upon the ground like a ball, while the sword of Burayr was stuck in his head, and he was lifting it up and down to pull it out.
Then Razee bin Manqaz Abadi attacked Burayr and grappled him. Both of them struggled until Burayr threw him down and sat on his chest. Then Razee called out, "Where are my defenders"? Hearing this Ka’ab bin Jabir bin Umro Azdi advanced to assist him, when I said, "This is Burayr bin Khuzayr, the recitor of the Qur’an, who taught us the Qur’an in the Mosque." He attacked Burayr with his spear. When Burayr felt the point of the spear, he threw himself upon him and bit his nose. But Ka’ab sunk his spear into him and drew it till his heart, while the entire point of the spear entered his back. Then he hit him on the head and started attacking him with his sword until he killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
Afeef bin Zuhayr bin Abi Akhnas says, that it is as if I see Razee, who was scattered on the ground, arising while brushing off the dust from his cloak and telling Ka’ab that, "O brother (from the clan) of Azd! You have favoured me and I shall never forget it."
Yusuf bin Yazeed says, that I asked Afeef whether he had really witnessed it with his own eyes, to which he replied that, "I have seen it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears."
When Ka’ab bin Jabir returned back, his wife, and his sister, Nawar binte Jabir told him, "You have sided with the opponents of the son of Fatemah (A.S.), and have killed the chief of the Qur’an Recitors? By Allah! I shall never ever speak to you from now on." And Ka’ab bin Jabir recited the following couplets: "You ask regarding me and shall be informed regarding the morning of Imam Husain (A.S.), when the spears were being thrust, that did not I commit the act which you despise? When it could not be imagined that day as to what I would do, I had with me my spear, which did not falter and a white shining sword, which was sharp-edged and fierce, then I unsheathed it and attacked a group, whose Religion was not the same as mine, which was the obedience to the son of Harb, when I had not witnessed anyone similar to them in their age before them, who had fought fiercely in the battle, they are those who safeguard their honour, then they bore patiently against the spears and swords and stepped into the battlefield, I wish this had profited them, then when you meet Ubaydullah, give him this message that I am obedient to the Caliph and compliant of his words, then it is I who killed Burayr and favoured the son of Manqaz, when he called for assistance."
Martyrdom of Umro bin Qartah Ansari
Then Umro bin Qartah advanced and attacked, while defending Imam Husain (A.S.), and he was saying: "The batallion of Ansar knows that I am a protector of the territory of promise, I strike with a sharp-edged sword similar to a youth, my self and household is lowly in front of Husain."
Here Imam Husain (A.S.) is considered more than one’s household, thus vilifying Umar bin Sa’ad, who while talking to Imam had said that,
"My house shall be destroyed ……. etc." (as related in Section 15 of this book).
Sayyed ibne Tawoos relates, that after the martyrdom of Muslim bin Awsaja, Umro bin Qartah Ansari came forward and pleaded with Imam to permit him to go to the battlefield. When Imam permitted him, he attacked with such force, which was similar to that of the one who yearns for Paradise. Thus he strived to serve the Master of Heavens, until he killed a group of people from the army of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. There was no arrow, which would advance towards Imam, except that he stopped it with his hands, and there was no sword which would come towards Imam, except that he took it upon himself. Then Imam did not receive any wounds until Umro was alive. When he was totally wounded, he turned towards Imam and said, "O son of the Prophet of Allah! Have I fulfilled my (duty of) obedience"? Imam replied,
"Verily yes, you shall be the one to go to Paradise before me. Then offer my salutations to the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.) and tell him that I am on my way following you."
Then Umro fought bravely until he attained martyrdom (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
(Tabari, Kamil) It is related that Umro’s brother, Ali bin Qartah, was in the army of Umar bin Sa’ad. When he saw his brother fall, he called out, "O Husain! O liar and the son of a liar"! (Allah’s refuge) "You have misguided my brother and deceived him until you killed him." Imam replied,
"Allah did not mislead your brother, in fact he was bestowed with guidance, while it is you who are misguided."
The accursed said, "May Allah kill me if I do not kill you or die while struggling against you." Saying this he attacked Imam and Nafe’ bin Hilal Muradi came and stood facing him. Then he attacked him with a spear and threw him upon the ground, his companions came to his rescue and took him away. Then he treated his wounds and was cured.
(Tabari) Azdi says that Nazr bin Saleh Abu Zuhayr Abasi says that when Hurr bin Yazeed went and united with Imam Husain (A.S.), a man from Bani Tameem, named Yazeed bin Sufyan said, "By Allah! If my sight falls upon Hurr, I shall kill him with my spear." When the two armies were attacking and killing one another, Hurr was attacking in the forefront, while reciting the words of Antara: "With my charger’s neck and breast I will launch myself at them again and again, until (the beast is ) clothed in blood." And he was reciting the following Rajaz: "I am Hurr, a host to the guest, I strike your necks with a swift sword, in defense of the one, who has alighted at the ground of Kheef (in Mina), while I do not regret over it."
The narrator says that the tail and brows of his horse were wounded by swords, and blood was flowing through it. Haseen bin Tameem, the head of the police force of Ibne Ziyad, who had despatched him to assist Umar bin Sa’ad and made him the commander of the police under the command of Yazeed bin Sufyan, told Yazeed bin Sufyan, "This is Hurr bin Yazeed, whom you desire." He then advanced towards Hurr and said, "O Hurr bin Yazeed! Do you desire combat"? Hurr replied in the affirmative and he came towards him. Haseen said that, "By Allah! It is as if his life was in the hands of Hurr, who instantly killed him."
Hisham bin Mohammad relates from Abu Makhnaf, who says that Yahya bin Hani bin Urwah told me, that on the tenth (of Moharram), Hilal bin Nafe’ was attacking, while reciting the following couplets: "I am the son of Hilal! My Religion is the Religion of Ali"! A man named Mazahim bin Hurays came towards him and said, "I am upon the Creed of Usman." Nafe’ replied, "However, you are upon the creed of the shaitan", saying this he attacked him and ultimately killed him.
Then Umro bin Hajjaj turned towards the army and called out, "O foolish men! Do you know whom you have been fighting with? You are fighting the valorous Kufans, who are ready to sacrifice their lives. Thus no one should go to fight single-handedly with them, for they are only a few left and a short time remains. By Allah! Even if you attack them with mere stones, they shall perish." Then Umar bin Sa’ad said, "Verily whatever you have said is true and his opinion is accepted." Then he declared that no one should go for a single combat with them.
It is narrated that Umro bin Hajjaj advanced towards the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.) and said, "O Kufans! Hold steadfastly to those who listen to you and your community, and do not hesitate to kill the man who has turned out of the Religion and has disobeyed the Imam." Imam Husain (A.S.) said,
"O Umro bin Hajjaj! Do you incite people against me? Have we turned away from the Religion, while you are steadfast upon it? By Allah! When you die with these (evils) deeds of yours, you shall then know as to who has turned away from the Religion, and who is worthy of (the fire of) hell."
Martyrdom of Muslim bin Awsaja
Then Umro bin Hajjaj attacked the right wing of the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.), along with the right wing of the army of Umar bin Sa’ad, from the side of the Euphrates and they fought for sometime. Muslim bin Awsaja Asadi was the first one among the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.) to attain martyrdom. Then Umro bin Hajjaj and his companions returned back.
(Manaqib) It should be noted that Muslim bin Awsaja was the agent of Muslim bin Aqeel (A.S.) in Kufa. He was given the charge to collect the funds, buy ammunitions and accept allegiance (on behalf of Imam Husain).
Muslim fought valiantly in the battle of Karbala, while reciting the following Rajaz: "If you inquire about me, (know that) I am a male Lion, (I am) from the chiefs and notables of the branch of Bani Asad, thus the one who oppresses us has deviated from the Right Path and from the Religion of the Self Sufficient, Omnipotent (Lord)."
He fought abundantly with the enemies and forbore upon the fight of the army until he fell down.
The narrator says that when the clouds of sand sank, Muslim was seen smeared in blood. Imam Husain (A.S.) went to his head, when he was yet alive. Imam said,
"May your Lord have mercy upon you, O Muslim bin Awsaja! Of the believers are the men who are true to what they covenanted with Allah, of them is he who fulfilled his vow and of them is he who awaits (its fulfillment), and they have changed not in the least" [62]
Then Habib bin Mazahir came to him and said, "It is very unpleasant for me to see you smeared in mud and blood O Muslim! May you receive the glad tidings of Paradise." Then Muslim replied in a soft voice, "May your Allah give you glad tidings of fairness too." Habib said, "If I had not known that I too would have to follow your path (of Martyrdom) and reach you, it would have been my pleasure to ask you to will to me regarding your heart’s desire, until I fulfill the rights of your relatives and your co-religionists." Muslim replied, "I recommend this Master for you", he said pointing towards Imam Husain (A.S.), "then you should ransom your life over him." Habib replied, "By the Lord of Ka’bah! I shall surely do that." It was not late when he died in their hands. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). And one of his slave girls was heard calling out, "O son of Awsaja! O master!"
The companions of Umro bin Hajjaj applauded, "We have killed Muslim bin Awsaja." Then Shabas turned towards his associates and said, "May your mothers mourn over you! You kill yourselves with your own hands and are seperating from your ownselves for the sake of others. Then you are rejoicing because you have killed Muslim bin Awsaja? By Him in whom I believe! I have seen him (Muslim) in the battlefield with honour for the Muslims. I have seen him in the battle in the plain of Azarbayjan at the time when no Muslim had moved from the places, he had already killed six polytheists. And when such a man dies, you rejoice over it"? The murderors of Muslim bin Awsaja were Muslim bin Abdullah Zababi and Abdul Rahman bin Abi Khashkar Bajali.
Then Shimr attacked the left wing of the Imam’s army. They stood in front of him and his army and pushed them back with their lances. Then Imam and his companions were attacked from all sides and Abdullah bin Umayr Kalbi, who had previously killed two men, was martyred. Hani bin Sabat Hazrami and Bukayr bin Hayy Tamimi killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him) and he was the second Martyr among the companions of Imam. Then the companions of Imam fought valiantly with the Kufan army. Their horsemen, being thirty-two, attacked the Kufan army from all sides and split all of them.
It is as if Abu Tufayl says regarding them: "What an army is this, similar to the waves, similar to the powerful beasts like Leopards and Lions, there are the old, the youth and the chiefs, who are mounted upon the Horses, escaping from whose midst is very hard, when the rays of the sun sets below their standard, it’s powers dims the eyes, their slogan is similar to that of the Prophet, while their standards by which Allah, the Beneficent avenges the schemers."
It is as if it is said regarding them: "Astonishment that the clear-cut swords and spears see months in the hands of this group, and they are men, and astonishment that the fire burns upon their palms even though their hands are oceans."
(Tabari) When Urwa bin Qays, who was the commander of the horsemen, saw this situation that his horses were split from all sides, he sent Abdul Rahman bin Haseen to Umar bin Sa’ad with the message that, "Do you not see that since today morning my horsemen have been dragging alongwith these little group of men? Dispatch the foot-soldiers and the archers towards them." Then Umar bin Sa’ad turned towards Shabas bin Raba’ee and said, "Will you attack Husain"? Shabas replied, "Glory be to Allah! Do you intend sending the chief of the towns and the master of the Kufans with the archers? Do you not find anyone else who could do this job"? Shabas disliked fighting Imam Husain (A.S.). Abu Zuhayr Abasi says that during the period of the caliphate of Mus’ab bin Zubayr, I heard him (Shabas) say that, "Allah will never bestow goodness upon the people of Kufa and will not reach them towards felicity. It is not surprising that we fought in the ranks of Ali bin Abi Talib (A.S.) and after him with his son (Imam Hasan) against the children of Abu Sufyan for five years. Then we pounced upon his son Husain, who was the best from among the dwellers of the earth, and we fought against him in the ranks of the children of Mu’awiyah and the son of Sumayyah, the adulteress. Disgrace, and what a disgrace"!
Then Umar bin Sa’ad called for Haseen bin Tameem and dispatched him with the foot soldiers and five hundred archers. They proceeded further until they reached Imam Husain (A.S.) and his companions. Then they shot their arrows towards them and impoverished their horses and all of them came on foot.
Azdi says that Nameer bin Wahlah relates from Ayyub bin Mashrah Haywanee, that he always said that, "By Allah! I was the one who impoverished the horse of Hurr bin Yazid. I shot an arrow which pierced it’s belly, it gave a cry and rolled up itself (on the ground). Suddenly Hurr charged like a Lion and leapt upon them with his sword in hand saying: "Even though you have cut off the legs of my horse, I am more valorous than a male lion." By Allah! I have not seen anyone like him, who inflicted the ranks." The chiefs of his clan asked him, "Have you killed Hurr"? He replied, "No, by Allah! I have not killed him. Rather another person had killed him and I did not desire killing him." Abu Wadak asked him the reason, to which he replied, "For he was included among the devout men. By Allah! If this deed of mine be a sin, then if I have to go to the presence of Allah with the responsibility of injury and presence in the army it is easy, than that I go to his presence with the sin of their murder upon my neck." Abu Wadak said, "You too shall go to the presence of Allah with the sin of their murder. Then tell me, that if you pursued one of their horses and shot an arrow towards another, then you stood facing them and repeated this act of yours numerous times, and you encouraged your fellow army-men. Then if you were attacked and you had to flee away while some of your companions followed your example, resulting in the collaboration of you all with them in their murder, then all of you are equal partners in their blood." Nameer said, "O Abu Wadak! You are disheartening us from the mercy of Allah. Then on the day of Qiyamah if you had been in charge of our accounts, may Allah not forgive you if you do not forgive us."
It is better that we relate regarding them: "Does this nation desire the intercession of the Grandfather (of Husain) on the day of Qiyamah after having murdered Husain, no never, by Allah! They will find no intercessor and they will be engulfed in the wrath in Qiyamah."
(Tabari) They fought with them valiantly until the noon. The Kufan army could not attack from any other side accept one, because their tents were joint together. When Umar bin Sa’ad saw this, he ordered his men to attack the tents from the left and right sides, to dig them up and surround them. Three four persons from among the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.) stood up to guard the tents. Then they would attack the invaders from in between the tents and whoever would come to dig the tent or plunder it, would be killed or they would shoot an arrow and injure him. Then Umar bin Sa’ad ordered, "Do not go near the tents, nor dig or plunder them, rather burn them." Then they burnt the tents and held back their hands from digging or plundering them. Imam Husain (A.S.) said,
"Let them burn the tents, for if they do so, the fire will act as a prevention against them."
It happened as said, and a group of them fought with them from one side.
(Tabari) The wife of (Abdullah bin) Umayr Kalbi ran out into the battlefield and sat at the head of her husband (who was already martyred, as has been related earlier) cleaning the dust from him, and said, "May Paradise be pleasant for you." When Shimr saw her, he commanded his retainer named Rustam, "Hit her upon the head." He dealt a blow upon her head which split open, and she attained martyrdom at that very spot. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon her).
Then Shimr bin Ziljawshan attacked until he reached a particular tent of Imam Husain (A.S.) and striking it with his lance said, "Bring me fire, so that I may burn it along with what it contains." Hearing this womenfolk started shrieking and came out of the tents in panic. Then Imam Husain (A.S.) called out in a loud voice saying,
"O son of Ziljawshan! Do you ask for fire to be brought so as to burn the tent along with my family? May Allah burn you in the fire (of hell)."
Azdi says that Sulayman bin Abi Rashid relates from Hameed bin Muslim that he said, that I told Shimr bin Ziljawshan, "Glory be to Allah! This does not suit you. Do you desire tasting the wrath of Allah by killing the children and ladies? By Allah! The commander will be pleased with you only with the killing of the men." Then Shimr asked me as to who I was. And I said, "I shall not disclose who I am." I said this, for by Allah, I feared lest he would malign me in the presence of the sovereign. Then a man came to him, whose orders he obeyed more than of Shabas bin Rabee’, and said, "I have not heard a more evil speech from you before, nor have I seen a more degraded situation that you have placed yourself in. Then have you now started frightening the women"? I saw that hearing this Shimr was ashamed of himself and retreated back. Then Zuhayr bin Qayn attacked him and his companions with a group of his ten companions until they had pushed them away from the tents and they went far away, and they killed Abu Uzrah Zababi, one of the companions of Shimr, seeing this the entire army attacked them putting them to loss. Many of the companions of Imam started falling down, and if one or two of them fell it (their loss) would be easily visible, while those of the enemies would not, because of their large numbers.
Reminding for Prayers by Abu Samamah Saedi and the Martyrdom of Habib bin Mazahir
(Tabari) When Abu Samamah Umro bin Abdullah Saedi saw his companions being killed one after the other, he turned towards Imam Husain (A.S.) and said, "O Aba Abdillah! May I be your ransom! I see that this army has advanced closer to you. But Allah willing, they shall not be able to kill you until they have killed us. And I desire that I go to the presence of Almighty Allah having recited the Prayers (in your lead), whose time has already approached." Then Imam lifted up his head and said,
"You have reminded the (time of) Prayers, may Allah join you with the worshippers and the recitors, and verily this is the prime time for Prayers."
Then he said,
"Tell them to lift their hands off us until we have finished reciting the Prayers."
Hearing this Haseen bin Tameem said, "Your Prayers are not accepted." Habib bin Mazahir replied, "You think that the Prayers of the Progeny of the Prophet of Allah is not accepted, while the Prayers of you, a wine-bibber, is accepted"?
Then Haseen bin Tameem attacked him and Habib bin Mazahir came to meet his challenge. Habib dealt a blow on the front of his head, which sank in and Habib threw him down (from his horse). Then his companions came to his rescue and took him away. Habib bin Mazahir then said, "I swear that if we would have been similar to you in quantity or even half of that, you would have turned your back from us, O men of ill origin and impotents"!
That day Habib was saying: "I am Habib and my father is Mazahir, who is a horseman of the battlefield when it is fierce, you are well-equipped and large in quantity, but we are more obedient, forbearing (than you), our proofs are exalted while truth apparent, and (we are) more pious and penitent than you."
Habib bin Mazahir attacked severely (Malhoof) until he had killed sixty-two men. (Tabari) Then a man from the clan of Tameem attacked him and dealt a blow with his sword on his head and killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). The name of his murderor was Budayl bin Sareem, who was from Bani Aqafan. Then another man from the clan of Tameem attacked him with a lance and threw him on the ground. When he tried to stand up, Haseen bin Tameem struck him on the head with his sword and he (again) fell down, then the person from Bani Tameem alighted from his horse and cut off his head. Seeing this Haseen said, "I too am a partner in his murder alongwith you", to which he said, "By Allah! No one except me has killed him." Haseen said, "Then give me his head so that I may hang it in the neck of my horse so that people may see and understand that I too have participated in his murder. Then you may take it back and carry it to the presence of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, for I am not desirous of the reward (which he will offer you in lieu of the murder of Habib)." The man refused to do so until his people made him agree. Then he gave the head of Habib to Haseen, who hung it in the neck of his horse and started taking the rounds in the ranks, and then returned it back.
The Tamimi man placed the head of Habib on his horse and carried it to the palace of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. The son of Habib named Qasim, who was nearing adolescence, saw the head of his father and recognized it, he followed him and went inside the palace and came out with him until his sight fell on him. He said, "O dear son! Why are you following me"? The child replied that there was nothing. The person told him, "What is the matter, tell me"? To which the child said, "This head which is with you is that of my father. Give it to me so that I may bury it". The man said, "O dear son! The commander would not be pleased to it’s burial and I desire that the commander reward me amply for this." The child replied, "But Allah will give you a bad punishment for what you did. For by Allah, you have killed such a man who was better than you", saying this the child started weeping. Days passed by and the boy grew up. He had no other grief except to remain in pursuit of the murderor of his father so as to get him unawares and revenge the death of his father. At the time of Mus’ab bin Zubayr, in the battle of Bajmira’, this boy entered his army. He saw his father’s killer in a tent and followed him and waited in ambush for him. He entered his tent, when he was taking a nap in the afternoon, and striking him with his sword killed him.
Azdi says that when Habib bin Mazahir was killed, Imam Husain (A.S.) was bent. Then he said,
"I surrender myself and my faithful companions to Allah’s accountability."
It is stated in some books of Martyrdom (Maqatil) that the Imam said,
"Your achievement is due to Allah O Habib! You were a man of distinction, that you completed reciting the entire Qur’an in one (single) night."
Martyrdom of Hurr bin Yazid
The narrator says that Hurr started reciting the following Rajaz: "I have sworn not to be killed until I do not kill, and I shall not be wounded except by advancing further, I will attack them with a sharp-edged sword, I shall not retreat back nor will I flee (from the battlefield)."
Furthermore he recited the following couplets: "I am Hurr, a host to the guest, I strike your necks with a swift sword, in defense of the one who has alighted at the ground of Kheef (in Mina), while I do not regret over it."
He held such a sword in his hand whose edge was raining death. It is as if Ibne Mu’taz says about him, "I possess a sword which radiates death, then it is not unsheathed, except that it starts spilling the blood."
Hurr, alongwith his companion Zuhayr bin Qayn, attacked obviously. If while fighting, one of them would get surrounded by the enemies, the other would come to his defense and rescue him. They continued doing so until the foot soldiers attacked Hurr from all sides and killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him)
Ubaydullah bin Umro Badi, who was from the clan of Bani Kinda, says that, "Do not forget Sa’eed bin Abdullah nor Hurr, who alongwith Zuhayr aided at the need of the hour."
Fattal Naishapuri, in his Rawzatul Wa’ezeen, while quoting the Martyrdom of Hurr bin Yazeed says, that when Imam Husain (A.S.) came to the head of Hurr, blood was flowing from him. He said,
"Well done O Hurr! You are at liberty in this world as well as the hereafter, as your mother has named you."
Then he recited the following couplets: "What a best Hurr is the Hurr of Bani Riyah, and the best Hurr during the exchange of spears, the best Hurr who was generous with regard to his life when Husain called out in the morning."
Shaikh Sadooq too relates similarly from Imam Ja’far as Sadiq (A.S.).
Shaikh Abu Ali in Muntahal Maqal says that Hurr bin Yazid bin Najiyah bin Sa’eed is from (the clan of) Bani Yarboo’.
Sayyed Ne’matullah Jazaeri Tustari writes in his Anware No’maniyyah, that a group of trustworthy men narrated to me that when Shah Isma’il Safawi gained control over Baghdad, he came to visit the Shrine of Imam Husain (A.S.) in Karbala. He heard some people vilifying Hurr and hence came to the head of his grave and ordered it to be exhumed. People witnessed that Hurr was sleeping in his grave freshly drenched in his blood, and a kerchief was tied on his forehead. Shah Isma’il tried to unfasten the kerchief from his forehead, which according to the historical reports was tied by Imam Husain (A.S.). When the kerchief was untied, fresh blood started pouring out until the grave was filled with it. Then when the kerchief was tied at it’s place, the blood stopped. Then again they tried to untie that kerchief, but blood started pouring out. They tried to stop the blood by other means, but could not do so until they ultimately tied the same kerchief. Thus the fine status of Hurr was confirmed to them, and Shah ordered a mausoleum to be erected on his grave and appointed a servant to look after it.
The Honourable Traditionist Shaikh Mohammad bin Hasan Hurr Ameli, the author of Wasaelush Shi’ah, was from the progeny of Hurr bin Yazeed ar Riyahi, as has been quoted by Shaikh Ahmed in his Durrul Mulook.
(Tabari) Abu Samamah Saedi killed his cousin, who bore enmity with him, and then recited the Zuhr Prayers in the method of Salatul Khawf [63] in Imam Husain (A.S.)’s lead.
(Malhoof) It is stated in another narration that Imam told Zuhayr bin Qayn and Sa’eed bin Abdullah to stand in front of him so that he may lead the Zuhr Prayers. They did so while Imam lead the Prayers with half of his companions.
It is related that Sa’eed bin Abdullah Hanafi stood in front of the Imam and thus became the target of their arrows. Wherever Imam would turn, Sa’eed would stand in front of him until he was totally wounded and then fell down. He said, "O Allah! Send your curse upon them similar to the tribes of Ad and Thamood. O Allah! Deliver my greetings to Your Prophet, and make him aware about the pain and wounds that I have borne, for I crave Your reward while defending the progeny of Your Prophet." Saying this he breathed his last (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). Thirteen wounds of arrows were upon his body, apart from the wounds of lances and swords.
Ibne Nima says that some say that Imam Husain (A.S.) and his companions recited the Prayers individually with signs.
Tabari, Ibne Aseer and others state that after finishing the Zuhr Prayers, they attacked fiercely and neared Imam Husain (A.S.). Then Sa’eed stood armoring the Imam and defended him from all sides thus becoming a target of the enemies. Arrows started coming from all sides until he fell down. It is written in the related salutations of the Martyrs: Peace be upon Sa’eed bin Abdullah Hanafi, who, when Imam gave them permission to leave him, said, "No, by Allah! We shall not leave you alone." Then you faced your death and defended your Imam, and you witnessed the grace of Allah in the place of residence. May Allah gather us along with you in the ranks of the martyrs. And may Allah provide us your friendship in the exalted position of the magnificent ones.
We say: Reflect upon these words which prove the exalted status possessed by this Felicitous Martyr, and other martyrs of Karbala, which is beyond the imagination of the intelligent ones. While this is enough (proof) of their grace.
Ibne Nima too has related the martyrdom of the above referred Sa’eed in the words of Tabari and Ibne Aseer. Then he says that then Umar bin Sa’ad sent Umro bin Hajjaj with the archers. They shot arrows towards the remaining companions of Imam Husain (A.S.) and killed their horses. The situation reached such that Imam had no horsemen left with him, and he said,
"Will the young horses be under the banner of others besides us, when we are the chiefs of their masters? Then when a calamity desires entering our town, we posses the power to turn it away, no one walks in the width of the porch with a shining sword, and none from among our group guards him."
(Tabari) Zuhayr bin Qayn fought valiantly and he was saying, "I am Zuhayr and am the son of Qayn, I will bar you from Husain with my sword, for he is one of the two grandsons of the Prophet who is a virtuous and chaste Progeny, there is no lie in that he is the Prophet, I shall kill you and shall not regret over it, and I wish my self could be divided into two (so that I may fight with you twofold)."
(Tabari) Then Zuhayr placed his hand upon the shoulder of Imam Husain (A.S.) and said, "Proceed further, for you are a guided one and are a guide. Today you shall meet your grandfather the Prophet and (Imam) Hasan and Murtaza Ali (A.S.), and a well-equipped young man with two wings, Ja’far your uncle, and Hamza the alive martyred Lion of Allah."
(Maqtal of Mohammad bin Abi Talib) Then he attacked until he killed one hundred and twenty men. (Tasleeyatul Majalis, Tabari, Kamil) Then Kaseer bin Abdullah Sha’abi and Muhajir bin Aws Tamimi attacked him and threw him upon the ground. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessing be upon him). When Zuhayr fell from his horse, Imam Husain (A.S.) said,
"O Zuhayr! May Allah not keep you away from Himself, and may Allah send his wrath upon your killers as He did to those who were turned into monkeys and pigs."
Martyrdom of Nafe’ bin Hilal
Naf’e bin Hilal Jamali (or Bajali) had engraved his name on his arrows and dipped them in poison and shot them one after the other towards the enemies saying, "I shoot these arrows whose teeth contains signs, while it will not benefit those who fear, they are smeared in poison which keeps the enemies in motion, and it’s striking fills the earth with blood."
He shot the arrows one after the other until they were exhausted and his quiver became empty. Then he placed his hand upon his sword and said, "I am a youth of the Yemeni tribe of Bajalah, I follow the Religion of Husain and Ali, I shall be martyred today and this being my heart’s desire, and I shall meet my actions."
Tabari says that he killed twelve men from the companions of Umar bin Sa’ad, apart from those whom he wounded, until both his arms were severed. Then he was arrested by Shimr, who called his companions to drag him to Umar bin Sa’ad. Umar bin Sa’ad told him, "Woe be to you! What have you done to yourself"? Nafe’ replied, "Verily my Allah knows my intentions." The narrator says that blood was flowing on his beard while he was saying, "By Allah! I have slain twelve men among you, excluding those whom I have wounded, while I do not reproach myself for this. And if my hands would have been present, and my wrists would have been there, you would not have arrested me." Shimr told Umar bin Sa’ad, "May Allah straighten your affair, kill him." Umar replied, "You have brought him, then kill him if you desire." Hearing this Shimr unsheathed his sword and Nafe’ said, "If you are a Muslim, you would have despised meeting Allah with our blood upon your neck. Praise be to Allah, who has destined our death at the hands of the most accursed of the creation." Then the accursed (Shimr) killed him. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessing be upon him).
Then Shimr attacked the army of Imam while saying, "Leave him, O Lion of Allah, leave Shimr, so that he may strike at them with his sword and will not flee, and he is a bitter tree and a fatal poison for you."
Martyrdom of Abdullah and Abdul Rahman Ghifari
When the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.) perceived their loss and realized that they themselves were incapable of defending the Imam and his relatives, they hastened to lay their lives in the presence of Imam Husain (A.S.). Then Abdullah and Abdul Rahman, the sons of Urwa Ghifari, came to the Imam and said, "Peace be upon you O Aba Abdillah! The enemy has reached us and have hastened towards you from all sides, hence we desire to be killed before you and sacrifice our lives for you." Imam replied,
"Welcome! Come closer to me."
They came closer to the Imam and started fighting with the enemies in his side. One of them said, "Verily the Bani Ghifar and Khandaf, as also Bani Nizar knows, that I fight the adulterous group with my clear-cut and swift sword, O nation! defend the sons of noble fathers against the enemies with Eastern swords and sharp spears."
(Tabari) The narrator says that two Jabirite men, named Sayf bin Haris and Malik bin Abd, who were cousins and foster brothers, came closer to Imam Husain (A.S.) while they were weeping. Imam asked them,
"O sons of my brother! Why do you weep? By Allah! I desire that your eyes would be glowing."
They replied, "May Allah make us your ransom! We do not weep on account of ourselves, rather we weep for you. We see that you have been surrounded, while we are incapable of defending you." Imam replied,
"O sons of my brother! May Allah reward you fairly for this conscience and sympathy."
(Manaqib) Then they advanced further saying, "Peace be upon you O son of the Prophet of Allah", and Imam too replied their salutations. Then they attacked and were ultimately martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon them).
Martyrdom of Hanzalah bin As’ad Shabami
(Tabari, Kamil) Then Hanzalah bin As’ad Shabami came and stood in front of Imam Husain (A.S.) (Malhoof) and started defending him with his face and neck from arrows, lances and swords (Tabari, Kamil) while calling out,
"O my people! Verily I fear (that it may fall) on you the like of that (what befell) the parties, the like of (what befell) the people of Noah and Ad and Samood and those (who came) after them, and Allah intends not injustice unto (His) servants. And O my people! I fear for you the Day of Calling out (each other). The Day on which you shall be turned back retreating, (when) for you there shall be no saviour from (the wrath of) Allah.
O people! Do not kill Husain, lest Allah may crush you with His wrath. While the one who lies is indeed disappointed."
(Tabari, Kamil) Imam called out to him,
"O son of As’ad! May your Allah have mercy upon you! They have become worthy of the wrath from the time they have neglected your invitation towards right before the battle, and from the time they stood up against you, and considered lawful shedding the blood of your companions. Then what escape do they have, after having killed your virtuous brothers"?
Hanzalah said, "You have spoken the truth, may I be your ransom! It is now time to go to the other home and unite with the brothers." (Tabari, Malhoof) Imam replied,
"Yes, go towards that which is better for you than the world and whatever it contains. Go towards the kingdom which will not wear out."
Hearing this Hanzalah replied, "Peace be upon you O Aba Abdillah! May Allah’s blessings be upon you and your family. May Allah acquaint us with you in Paradise." Imam replied,
"So be it."
Then Hanzalah proceeded further (Malhoof) and fought valiantly and forebore the fear of battle, until he was martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
(Tabari) Then the two Jabirite brothers advanced further saying, "Peace be upon you O son of the Prophet of Allah." Imam replied,
"And Peace be upon you."
They fought until they were martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon them).
Martyrdom of Shawzib and Abis
The narrator says that Abis bin Abi Shabib Shakiri came to Shawzib, who was his relative, and said, "What is your heart’s desire"? He replied, "What do I desire? I desire to fight alongside you, while defending the grandson of the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.), until I am martyred." Abis replied, "I had desired the same regarding you. Then proceed further towards the Imam so that he may include you among his companions as the other preceding you have done, so that I too may consider you. And at this moment, if there would have been with me someone else nearer to me than you, I would have sent him to the battlefield before me, so as to mourn his death and earn abundant reward. This is the day of our last actions, for after today there will be no actions but only accounting." Then Shawzib advanced further and saluted the Imam and fought, until he was martyred. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
Shakir is a clan of Yemen and a branch of the clan of Hamadan, which reaches Shakir bin Rabi’ah bin Malik. Abis himself was from the above clan, while Shawzib was his retainer, meaning that Shawzib was staying along with him or was his confederate and not his servant or a freed retainer, as is assumed by some. On the contrary, our Shaikh, the Traditionist (Husain) Noori, the author of Mustadrakul Wasael, says that perhaps the status of Shawzib might be higher than that of Abis, for it is said regarding him, that he (Shawzib) was one of the foremost in Shia’hism.
(Tabari) Then Abis bin Abi Shabeeb told Imam Husain (A.S.) that, "O Aba Abdillah! There in none upon the earth, among my relatives and others, who is more dear and beloved in my eyes than you. If I had the power to defend off oppression with anything more dear to me than my life, I would surely have done so. Peace be upon you O Aba Abdillah! I call upon Allah as my witness, that I am (steadfast) upon the path of your father and yourself." Saying this he unsheathed his sword with a wound which was there on his forehead, and attacked the enemy.
Azdi says that Nameer bin Ramalah relates from Rabee’ bin Tameem Hamadani, who was present in the battle, that I saw Abis proceeding towards the battlefield and recognised him. I had seen him in numerous battles. He was a valorous man, hence I said, "O people! Behold this is a lion among the lions! He is the son of Abu Shabeeb! Thus no one should confront him." Thus Abis started calling out, "Is there no man among you"? Hearing this Umar bin Sa’ad said, "Pound him with stones." Then people started hurling stones at him, and when Abis saw this, he removed his armor and helmet. Allah’s praise upon the one who said, "He fearlessly meets his neck with the clear-cut spears, and he considers his head to be a helmet, when the spears advance, he wears no other armour except that of chastity."
And a Persian Poet has said, "He removed his armour saying that I am a moon and not a fish, and he removed his helmet saying that I am not a rooster, and he came out without any armour or helmet, to embrace death nakedly, similar to a bride."
Then he attacked the enemies, (the narrator says that) it is as if I see him pushing back a group of two hundred men. Then they advanced towards him from all sides and killed him (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him). I saw his head in the hands of a group of people who were quarreling among themselves that they had killed him. Then they came to Umar bin Sa’ad, who said, "Do not quarrel, for he is not killed by any one man", and dispersed them back.
Martyrdom of Abul Sha’sa Kindi
Azdi says that Fuzayl bin Khadeej Kindi narrated to me, that Abul Sha’sa Yazeed bin Ziyad (or Muhajir) Kindi, who was from the clan of Bani Bahdula, knealt down in front of Imam Husain (A.S.) and shot a hundred arrows towards the enemies, out of which only five arrows missed the target, while he was a master archer. Whenever he shot an arrow, he exclaimed, "I am the son of Bahdula! A horseman of Arjalah"! Imam Husain (A.S.) said regarding him,
"O Allah! Make firm his archery and offer Paradise to him as his reward."
When he had exhausted all the arrows, he arose and said, "Only five of my arrows have gone waste, while it is known to me that I have killed five men." Abul Sha’sa Kindi was among the group to be martyred formerly. On that day he was reciting the following Rajaz: "I am Yazid and my father is Muhajir, I am more valorous than a Lion of the thicket, and I strike the rebels expertly with the spear, O Lord! I am a helper of Husain, and am the one to disassociate and seperate from the son of Sa’ad, and my right hand possesses a clear-cut and destructive sword."
Yazid bin Muhajir was one of those who had come alongwith Umar bin Sa’ad from Kufa to fight against Imam Husain (A.S.), but when he saw that they refused to accept Imam’s plea, he entered the fold of Imam and fought for him and attained martyrdom (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon him).
Martyrdom of a collective number of companions of Imam Husain (a.s)
As regards Umar bin Khalid Saydawi, Jabir bin Haris Salmani, Sa’ad the retainer of Umar bin Khalid, and Mujme’ bin Abdullah Aezi, they came out with their swords in the beginning of the battle. They attacked the Kufan army and entered their ranks. The enemies too responded to their attack and surrounded them while separating them from their companions. Seeing this Abbas bin Ali (A.S.) hastened towards them and rescued them from their clutches. Then when again the enemies advanced further, they attacked them and fought, until they all attained martyrdom at one place. (May Allah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon them).
Martyrdom of Suwayd bin Umro bin Abi Muta’
Azdi says that Zuhayr bin Abdul Rahman Khas’ami narrated to me that the last person (among the companions) to remain with Imam Husain (A.S.) was Suwayd bin Umro bin Abi Muta’. He fought with the enemies, until he w
