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The battle had been raging since morning on the burning desert
of Taff, and all the faithful As-haab of Imam Husain (SA) lay
martyred. Alas! It was now the turn of the Ahl e Bayt, and they
began to vie amongst themselves, each one wanting to be the
first to lay down his life in the khidmat of Husain (SA).
It was decided that those who were the furthest in relation to
the Imam (SA) would go first.
The two sons of Muslim bin Aqeel, Abdullah and Mohammad, and
then Aqeel’s sons Ja’far and Abd ur Rahman set out to attain
shahadat. One after the other, the Ahl e Bayt were brutally
martyred by the enemy. May the rehmat of Allah be upon
them and laanat on their qaatil.
Aun and Mohammad, the sons of Maulatuna Zainab (AS) stood in
front of Husain (SA). Doing sajda to the Imam (SA) they
beseeched, “Mamaji saheb, give us raza.” With tears in
his eyes, Husain (SA) replied “You are the light of my sister’s
eyes, how can I let you go?” They pleaded repeatedly but Husain
(SA) would not grant them raza, finally they came to
Maulatuna Zainab (AS) to ask her to plead on their behalf.
Zainab asked Imam Husain (SA), “O my brother, would you not
grant me raza had I been a man? Why do you not let my
sons give their life for you?” Husain (SA) had no choice but to
let them go to attain shahadat, with tears streaming from
his eyes.
Qasim, son of Imam Hasan (SA) set out. He was very young, and as
bright and handsome as the moon. The enemies were awestruck when
they looked upon him. As he was martyred, he called out to
Husain (SA). The Imam (SA) hastened to his side and carried his
battered body upon his shoulders to lie with the bodies of the
other Ahl e Bayt.
Alas! Abdullah now came to Husain (SA) saying, “Maula, you gave
raza to brother Qasim, let me go now.” Husain’s (SA) eyes
overflowed with tears, “My son, I cannot give you raza,
your brother Qasim was martyred, you are the sole remaining
memory of Bhai Hasan.” Weeping despondently, Abdullah recalled
that Hasan Imam (SA) had bequeathed him a tawiz, which he
was to open in dire difficulty. What could be a greater
difficulty than this? In the tawiz was written, “Lay down
your life for Bhai Husain!”
With his face shining with happiness and without saying a word,
he gave the note to Husain (SA). Husain (SA) wept upon seeing
the writing of Hasan Imam (SA). “My son, I recall the promise I
had made to Hasan (SA) to marry you to my beloved daughter,
Sakina.” He called the harem and had Abdullah dressed in the
wedding finery of Imam Hasan (SA). Amidst all the sorrow and
bloodshed, Husain (SA) performed the nikah of Abdullah
and Sakina. Who but Imam Husain (SA) would have the forbearance
for this!
As the new husband and wife sat together, a shout went up from
the enemy, “Do you not have any more men?” they jeered. Abdullah
hastily left his bride and rode out into the enemy. Imam Husain
(SA) tearfully called him back and shredded his wedding finery
to resemble a shroud. A shout went up from among the enemy,
“Here comes the groom, attack the groom!”
Abbas Alamdar, Husain Imam’s brother was beseeching him, “Maula
I cannot bear the cries of the children pleading for water.
Allow me to go and fight,” when young Sakina approached him with
a small pitcher and said, “Kakaji saheb how can Sakina be
so thirsty when you are here?” Imam Husain (SA) had no choice
but to give raza.
Abbas was such a stalwart, when mounted upon a horse, his feet
would touch the ground. None of the enemy dared come in front of
him. Abbas spurred his horse quickly towards the River Furat
(Euphrates) and filled the urn with water. He did not taste a
single drop, and hastened towards the camp. Hiding behind trees,
the enemy attacked him mercilessly. An arrow pierced his right
arm, Abbas took the urn into his left hand, and urged his horse
ever faster, before his left arm was also pierced by an arrow.
He held the urn with his mouth. Alas! An arrow whizzzed towards
the urn, and the precious water spilled out. Abbas fell from his
horse and called out to Husain (SA). The Imam was heartbroken to
see his brother slain on the ground. His back was broken by this
great loss.
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