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Husayn ibn Ali

Husayn ibn Ali

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This article is about Imam Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (626 – 680). For the modern political figure (1852 – 1931), see Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca.

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Husain
Born 3rd Shabaan 4 AH/625 AD
in Madinah
Died 10th Moharram 61 AH/680 AD
Kerbela,Iraq
Spouse Shahrbanu bint Yazdgerd III
Rubab binte Umrao Al Qais
Children Ali ibn Hussein
Ali Akbar ibn Husayn
Ali Asghar ibn Husayn
Sukayna binte Hussein
Fatima Sughra binte Hussein
Parents Ali ibn Abi Talib
Fatimah bint Muhammad

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Islam:

Husayn

3rd Shia Imam

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Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib (حسين بن علي بن أﺑﻲ طالب)‎ (third of Shaban 626, at Medina - tenth of Muharram 680, at Karbala) was the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the son of Ali, the first Shia Imam, and the fourth Sunni Rightly Guided Caliph, and Muhammad's daughter Fatima Zahra. Hussein ibn Ali is revered as the third Imam by most Shi’a Muslims[1], and as the second Imam by the majority of Ismaili Shi'a Muslims.[citation needed]

He rose up against Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph to found a regime that would reinstate a “true” Islamic polity as opposed to what he considered the unjust rule of the Umayyads.[1] He was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680(61AH).[2] The anniversary of his martyrdom is called Ashura and it is a day of mourning and religious observance for Shi'a Muslims. Revenge for Husayn's death was turned into a rallying cry that helped undermine the Umayyad caliphate and gave impetus to the rise of a powerful Shia movement.[1]

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[edit] Birth and childhood

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See also: Ahl al-Bayt and Hadith of the Cloak

According to the most reports, Husayn ibn Ali was born on 5 Sha'aban 4 AH/10 January 626 CE. Another report mentions the middle of Jumada al-awwal 6AH/beginning of October 627 CE as his date of birth. [3]

He and his brother Hassan were the only descendants of Muhammad who remained alive. Many of the accounts about Muhammad's treatment of his grandsons and his great love for them deal with them together and at times confuse them.[3] Muhammad is reported to have said that "whoever loves them[his grandsons] loves me and whoever hates them hates me" and "al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the sayyids of the youth of Paradise". The latter saying has been particularly important for Shias who used it in support of for the right of Muhammad's descendants to the imamate. Muhammad, according to other traditions, is pictured with his grandsons on his knees, on his shoulders, or even on his back during the prayer at the moment of prostrating himself. [4] According to Madelung, Muhammad loved them and declared them as his Ahl al-Bayt frequently. The Quran has accorded the Ahl al-Bayt of the Prophet an elevated position above the rest of the faithful.[5]

In addition to these traditions, a number of traditions also involve presence of angels. From a Muslim point of view, these traditions do not create any problem but to non-Muslims they as appear legends created under the Shi'i influence.[4]

[edit] The Incident of Mubahala

Main articles: Mubahala and Hadith of Mubahela

According to hadith collections, it is narrated that during the 9th - 10th year after hijra an Arab Christian envoy from Najran (currently in northern Yemen and partly in Saudi Arabia) came to Muhammad to argue which of the two parties erred in its doctrine concerning Jesus.[6] After likening Jesus' miraculous birth to Adam's creation[7], Muhammad called them to Mubahala (Cursing), where each party should ask God to destroy the lying party and their families. Muhammad, to prove to them that he is a prophet, brought his daughter Fatimah and his surviving grandchildren, Hassan and Hussain ibn Ali, and Ali ibn Abi Talib and came back to the Christians and said this is my family (Ahl al-Bayt) and covered himself and his family with a cloak.[8] The Christian envoy, the traditions add, declined to take part in Mubahala and chose instead to pay tribute.

[edit] During the Rashidun Caliphs

See also: Rashidun and Siege of Uthman

At the time of the siege of the caliph Uthman's residence in Medina by rebels from Egypt, when Uthman asked Ali to join the defender of his house, Ali sent Husayn. When Uthman asked Husayn if he thought he would be able to defend himself against the rebels, he demurred, and Uthman sent him away. [3]

During Ali's caliphate, the brothers Hassan, Husayn, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, and their cousin 'Abd Allah ibn J'afar appear as his closest assistants within his household. [3]

[edit] Muawiyah era

See also: Muawiyah I and Umayyad

When Hassan ibn Ali agreed to a peace treaty with Muawiyah I, the first Umayyad caliph, he left Kufa and went to Medina with his brother Husayn. [9] Husayn stayed in Madina until Muawiyah died in 680.

He lived under the most difficult outward conditions of suppression and persecution. This was due to the fact that, first of all, religious laws and regulations had lost much of their weight and credit, and the edicts of the Umayyad government had gained complete authority and power. Secondly, Mu'awiyah and his aides made use of every possible means to put aside and move out of the way the Household of the Prophet and the Shi'a, and thus obliterate the name of Ali and his family.[10] Muawiyah I ordered for public curses of 'Ali and his major supporters including Husayn and his brother.[3]

According to Shia belief Husayn became the third Imam for a period of ten years after death of his brother Hassan in 669. All of this time but the last six months coinciding with the caliphate of Mu'awiyah.[11]

[edit] Yazid caliphate

Open revolt began in Kufa when Muawiyah designated his son, Yazid I, as his successor before his death in 680CE. This was the first attempt to establish a hereditary dynasty. Religious attitude against Umayyad and Iraqi tendencies to recapture power inspired people alongside with those who believe that leadership of the Muslim community rightly belonged to the descendants of Ali to rose and invite Husayn to Kufa to establish his caliphate. [12]

When Yazid I became caliph he forced Husayn ibn Ali and Abd Allah ibn Zubayr to pledge alliance with him, but they refused and migrated from Madinah to Mecca in that year. Later Husayn seeking the promised aid of his supporters in Iraq, especially Kufa, left Mecca. [13][14]

Husayn uprised against Yazid I and declared Umayyad rule was not only oppressive but also religiously misguided. In his view the integrity and survival of the Islamic community depended on the reestablishment of right guidance. [15]

Meanwhile, Yazid, having learned of the rebellious attitude of the Shia in Kufah, sent Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad, governor of Basrah, to restore order. The latter did so, summoning the chiefs of the tribes, making them responsible for the conduct of their people, and threatening reprisal. Al-Husayn nevertheless set out from Mecca with all his family and retainers, expecting to be received with enthusiasm by the citizens of Kufah.[14]

[edit] Battle of Karbala

The Shrine of Imam Hussain ibn Ali in Karbala, Iraq
The Shrine of Imam Hussain ibn Ali in Karbala, Iraq
Main article: Battle of Karbala

Husayn in his path toward Kufa encountered with the army of Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad, the governor of Kufa, led by Hurr. When he clashed with them quoted[citation needed]:

"... Don't you see that the truth is not put into action and the false is not prohibited? The believer has got to be fond of meeting his God justly. So I do not consider the death but blessedness and living with the oppressors other than abjectness."

Part of his speech on Ashura[citation needed]:

"... Lo and behold; an ignoble (i.e ibn Ziyad), son of other ignoble (i.e. Ziyad ibn Abihi), has entangled me in a bifurcation, between either unsheathing the swords or accepting abjectness. And far be it that we accept abjectness. Allah abominates that for us, plus his proph­et, believers, the chaste pure gentlewomen, those who do not accept oppression as well as the souls who do not submit to meanness abominate it. They disapprove that we prefer obedience of scrooges to the best sites of murder. Beware; I assault you together with this family while they are few and when the helpers deserted. ... "

On October 10 680(Muharram 10, 61 AH), he and his small group of companions and family members, who were between 108 and 136 men of Husayn ibn Ali (the grandson of Muhammad). [16][17], fought with a large army of perhaps 4,000 men under the command of Umar ibn Sa'ad, son of the founder of Kufah. Husayn and all of his men were killed. The bodies of the dead, including that of Husayn, were then mutilated.[14]

Today, death of Hussein ibn Ali is commemorated during every Muharram, with the most important of these days being its tenth day, Ashura.

[edit] Burial

Husayn's body is said to have been buried in Karbala, near the site of his death. Most accounts say that his head was later retrieved and interred with his body. The Imam Hussein Shrine was later built over his grave; it is now a holy site of pilgrimage for Shia Muslims.

[edit] Commemoration of Hussein ibn Ali

Main article: Commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali

Husayn's body is said to have been buried in Karbala, near the site of his death. His head is burried in Misr, Egypt. It was retrieved many years after the great battle in karbala. The Imam Hussein Shrine was later built over his grave; it is now a holy site of pilgrimage for Shia Muslims.

[edit] Shi'a views of Hussein

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Shī‘a Islam


Branches

Twelver · Ismaili · Zaidi

People of the House

Muhammad
Ali ibn Abu Talib
Fatima Zahra
Hasan • Husayn

Beliefs & Practices

Succession of Ali
Imamate of the Family
Sahaba • The Four Companions
View of the Qur'an
Ghadir Khumm • Karbala
Mourning of Muharram
Light of Aql

See Also

History of Shia Islam

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Shi'ahs regard Hussein as an Imam (lord of the spiritual kingdom) and a martyr.He is believed to be the third imam. He set out on his path in order to save Islam and the Ummah from annihilation at the hands of Yazid. According to Shi'a belief he was a willing sacrifice to religious necessity, and Shi'as view Hussein as an exemplar of courage and resistance against tyranny. Ashura, a day of mourning and self-reflection, is held in honor of his suffering.

As a reward for Hussein's suffering, he will be allowed to intercede for the faithful on the day of judgment.[18]

The saying, "Every day is Ashura, every land is Karbala," is a reminder to live one's life as Hussein did on Ashura, with total sacrifice to Allah and for others. This saying also signifies "We must always remember, because there is suffering everywhere".

Preceded by
Hasan ibn Ali		 Twelver-Zaidi-Mustaali Imam
680–713		 Succeeded by
Ali ibn Hussein
Preceded by
Ali		 Nizari Ismaili Imam
680–713

[edit] See also

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c "al-Hussein ibn 'Ali". Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
  2. ^ Gordon, 2005, pp. 144-146
  3. ^ a b c d e Madelung, Wilferd "HOSAYN B. ALI". Iranica. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
  4. ^ a b L. Veccia Vaglieri, (al-) Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib, Encyclopedia of Islam
  5. ^ Madelung (1997), pp. 14-16
  6. ^ Qur'an 3:61
  7. ^ Qur'an 3:59
  8. ^ See:* Sahih Muslim, Chapter of virtues of companions, section of virtues of Ali, 1980 Edition Pub. in Saudi Arabia, Arabic version, v4, p1871, the end of tradition #32
    • Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p654
    • Madelung, 1997, pp. 15 and 16
  9. ^ Madelung (1997), p0. 324 and 325
  10. ^ Tabatabaei, (1979), p.196
  11. ^ Tabatabaei, (1979), p.196
  12. ^ Halm (2004), p.13
  13. ^ Dakake (2007), pp.81 and 82
  14. ^ a b c "Battle of Karbala". Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved on 2007-10-13.
  15. ^ Dakake (2007), pp.81 and 82
  16. ^ در روز عاشورا چند نفر شهید شدند؟
  17. ^ فهرست اسامي شهداي كربلا
  18. ^ Margaretha T. Heemskerk, Suffering, Encyclopedia of the Qur'an

[edit] References

Books
Encyclopedia

[edit] External links

See the articles and books of Battle of Karbala, Day of Ashura, Mourning of Muharram and Maqtal Al-Husayn in the relevant articles.

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