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Morning had arrived. Ashura had dawned. Alas! What is to be said of such a morning, for the sun did indeed rise, but before sunset Rasulullah's (SAW) house was left bereft of eighteen of his Ahl e Bayt. They were martyred on the burning sands of Kerbala.
Husain Imam (SA) marshaled his small band of faithful As-haab and Ahl e Bayt. He gave the 'alam to his brother Abbas e Alamdar (AS) and appointed Zohair bin Qain to bring up the right of the army, Habib bin Mazahir the left. The Imam (SA) had a khandaq (trench) dug behind the tents so the enemy would not attack from the rear. He recited the dua, "Allahumma anta theqati…" (O Allah in times of despair, you are the one I trust…')
So praying, Imam Husain (SA) mounted his horse and rode out amongst the enemy. Placing the Quran on his head he said," O enemies, by what right do you seek my blood? Do you not know who I am? I am the grandson of Rasulullah (SAW), and have come only because you entreated me with your letters! Do you not know what Nana Nabi (SAW) has proclaimed for my brother Hasan and I? Whatever else you may know, at least you know this much: if you roam the earth with a light, searching; you will not find a grandson of Rasulullah (SAW), other than myself.
Hearing these powerful words of Maula Husain (SA), Hur (RA) veered his horse away from the enemy and spurred it swiftly towards Imam Husain (SA). Trembling, he laid his head at Imam Husain's (SA) feet and humbly beseeched, "O Maula, forgive my sins. I was the one who first stopped your horse; let me be the one to sacrifice myself for you first!" "You are our guest Hur, how can I let you go?" replied Imam Husain (SA).
The Imam (SA) was adamant that he would not be the one to start the war. A volley of arrows started from the enemy side. Hur (RA) entreated Imam Husain (SA) to grant him raza and rode out to face the enemy. He argued vehemently with his erstwhile companions, "You have invited Imam Husain (SA) as a guest, yet you deprive him even of water!" He fought them valiantly and triumphantly attained martyrdom, calling for Imam Husain (SA) as he fell from his horse. The Imam (SA) hastened to his side and took his head onto his lap, saying "your mother has named you Hur, I have made you hur in this world and in the hereafter. The doors of jannat are wide open for you."
One after another the faithful As-haab obtained raza from Husain Imam (SA) and fought fearlessly, laying their lives down for Islam.
Muslim bin Usaja (RA) set out. He was elderly, yet his heart's desire was to attain shahadat. May the rehmat of Allah be upon Muslim and laanat on his qaatil.
Amr (RA) became a shield for Imam Husain (SA), he would take the arrows and sword attacks upon himself until his body was ripped apart by his wounds. As he fell he entreated the Imam (SA), "Have I served you as I , O Maula?" Imam Husain (SA) replied "Jannat is your reward!"
Joone (RA), who was the slave of Abuzar, begged Imam Husain (SA) for raza, the Imam (SA) would not grant it, whereupon he entreated, "why do you not grant me raza Maula, is it because I am black?" Husain (SA) replied "I look upon you and remember the faithful Abuzar." At once Joone said, "by the name of Abuzer, grant me raza, Maula!" Husain (SA) let him go and as he felled each enemy he would exclaim, "May the reward of this go to my Maula Abuzar."
The time came for zohar namaaz. Husain (SA) prayed Salat ul Khauf, a special way of praying during a war, and until such time as the Imam (SA) finished praying, Saeed bin Abdullah kept watch and shielded him from arrows and spears. As Husain (SA) finished praying, Saeed fell from his wounds. The Muazzin (RA) asked for raza as he had performed his last khidmat and attained the sharaf of shahadat.
Alas, now came Zohair bin Qain, the stalwart who used to say that even if I sacrifice myself for Husain (SA) a thousand times it is not enough. After slaying thirteen hundred enemies he was martyred.
Habib bin Mazahir fought bravely and was killed.
There was a young man in the qafela along with his mother. His father had been killed in battle. The mother told him, "O my beloved son you must also obtain shahadat." Husain (SA) did not give raza to the young man, "My son, your mother will be left all alone!" The young man said, "My mother has sent me!" Imam Husain (SA) tearfully gave permission. The young man fought valiantly, and gave his life for his Maula Husain (SA) as his mother had wished. May the rehmat of Allah be upon all the Shohada, and laanat on their qaatil.
Alas, the As-haab of Imam Husain (SA) lay martyred. It was now time for the Ahl e Bayt…
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