On the day of Ashura, when Abu al-Fadl (peace be upon him) was martyred and Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) rose from beside the dismembered body of his brother, he looked toward the tents and saw that no one remained to assist him, as all his companions and the men of his family had fallen on the ground, their bodies torn apart[1]. Meanwhile, the sound of the crying and wailing of the women and children in the tents rose into the air. At that moment, Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) called out loudly so that everyone could hear:
“Is there anyone to defend the sanctity of the Prophet of God (peace be upon him and his family)? Is there any monotheist, any God-fearing person who fears God for our sake? Is there any one who will come to our aid, hoping for God’s mercy?”
Upon hearing the Imam’s cry for help, the sound of the women and children’s weeping increased. Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) instructed the women and his sisters not to cry[2]. Then, wearing a crimson turban on his head, the Prophet’s cloak (peace be upon him and his family) over his shoulders, and his sword in hand, he went to the tents to bid farewell to his family.
During his farewell, Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) requested a garment be prepared for him that no one would covet because of its oldness. He wanted to wear it under his clothes so that after his martyrdom, his body would not remain uncovered[3]. He then took an old shirt, tore it in several places, and put it on under his clothes. He also asked for a pair of black trousers to be brought to him, which he also tore and wore under his garments.
He then turned to his relatives and children and said: “From now on, be prepared for trials and tribulations. Know that God, the Almighty, will be your protector and guardian, and He will soon deliver you from the enemies’ grasp. He will bring about the best of endings for you, punishing your enemies with various kinds of torment. In exchange for the trials and afflictions you endure, God will bestow upon you blessings and honor. Therefore, be careful not to utter complaints or say anything that would lower your dignity.”[4]
Everyone gathered around Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), and some of the children, with painful cries, asked him to take them to a safe place. Others, suffering from thirst, requested some water! While Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) was speaking with his womenfolk and comforting them, Umar ibn Sa’ad instructed his soldiers, saying: “As long as he is preoccupied with his women and children, attack him. By God, if he finishes with them, he will not leave you a right flank or left flank!”[5]
Following this command, a rain of arrows was shot toward Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), and the arrows passed through the spaces between the tents. One arrow hit the cloak of one of the women. As a result, the women, startled and frightened, rushed back into the tents, continually looking out to see what the Imam would do alone in the midst of this attack. They saw him, without the slightest fear or hesitation, like a lion, charging at the enemy’s army. He cut through them with his sword, and their screams filled the air as arrows were shot at him from every direction. Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) took them upon his chest and throat.[6]
When the son of Sa’ad saw this, he shouted at his soldiers: “Do you not know that this man is the son of someone whose heart was full of knowledge and faith in God? Do you not know he is the son of someone whose father struck down the men of the Arabs, and no one could defeat him? You cannot fight him one on one. If you want to succeed, you must attack him from all sides!”[7]
(Adapted from the book Maqtal al-Muqarram, by the late Abdul Razzaq al-Muqarram (with some changes))
Footnotes:
[1] Except for Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him).
[2] Al-Khasa’is al-Husayniyya, Fourth cry for help, page 129.
[3] Luhuf, page 123 – Majma’ al-Zawa’id, Volume 9, page 193.
[4] Jala’ al-Uyun, page 686.
[5] Jala’ al-Uyun, page 686.
[6] Jala’ al-Uyun, page 686.
[7] Manaqib Ibn Shahr Ashub, Volume 4, page 110.