25/06/2026
The Martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali (ra)
The Grandson of Holy Prophetﷺ
After the Rashidun Caliphate, the Muslim rulership was sliding into corruption under the monarchical kingdom of Yazid Ibn Muawiyah, from the Ummayad dynasty. It comes in a sahih Hadith that the Messengerﷺ of Allah said: "Al-Khilafah (Rashidun Caliphate) will be in my Ummah for thirty years, then there will be monarchy after that. [Tirmidhi, 2226 | Musnad Ahmed, 11736]
◾Below are detailed extracts from Imam Ibn Kathir Rahimuhullah's famous Al-Bidayah Wa Al-Nihayah - Volume 8 Pages 195-250
Imam Ibn Kathir writes: You are Hussain bin Ali bin Abi Talib bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim Abu Abdullah al Qarshi al Hashimi (Radhi Allaho Anho), the grandson (of Prophet), son of his daughter Fatima Az Zahra (Radhi Allah Anha), bouquet of flowers for Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) in this world who got martyred in Karbala. You were born after your brother Al-Hassan (RA) who was born in 3 AH … and martyred at the age of 54 on the day of Friday the 10th Muharram.
It is narrated from Prophetﷺ that he placed his (blessed) saliva on his Lips, made dua for him and named him Hussain (RA)... Zubair bin Bakkar(rah) narrated that Imam Hassan (RA) resembled the Prophet’s looks whereas Imam Hussain (RA) resembled the Prophet’s body….
The Prophetﷺ used to honour them both and deal with them very gently, the net result is that Hussain lived during the times of Prophet and attained his Suhbah till the Prophetﷺ died being happy with him [Note: This is perfect example of him being a Sahabi, whereas Yazid was not, so those who send Yazid to paradise and hypocritically use Radhi Allah with him though they deem it impermissible for other non- Sahaba should have some shame and fear Allah]
Hussain Ibn Ali (ra), the grandson of Prophet Muhammadﷺ took a stand against Yazid’s evil and corrupt rule. Whilst Yazid was feared and hated for his ruthlessness, Hussain was loved and respected by society. Yazid realised this, and understood that if he could convince Hussain to support him, the people would too. Sayyiduna Hussain (ra) had a choice. To support the tyrant and live a comfortable life full of luxury, or to refuse and likely be killed for his decision. What should he do? What would you or I do? For Hussain (ra) he could not live his life as a supporter of tyranny, and the choice for him was simple. Hussain (ra) refused. He said "I only desire to spread good values and prevent evil."
Having refused to support Yazid, Hussain knew his life was in danger. Yazid did not allow anyone to oppose him, and adopted a policy of killing those who disagreed with him. Cautious of this, Hussain decided to leave his hometown of Medina, and take his family to Kufa. Hussain set course for Kufa. A city in Iraq where he had received letters of support from. Yazid predicted this and sent a huge army to block Hussain from reaching Kufa, and force them to the desert town of Karbala. Once they reached Karbala, Hussain with his family, around 72 companions were surrounded by Yazid’s forces of up to 30,000 men. Despite being hugely outnumbered and with limited access to water, Hussain refused to give up. Yazid gave Hussain a final choice. To either support the government, or be killed. After receiving the final ultimatum from Yazid, Hussain realised he would be killed in a matter of days.
Hussain gathered his companions and urged them to escape. He explained that it was him who Yazid wished to kill, and not them. Again, Hussain’s selflessness shine through. Having been deprived of water in the hot desert, he urged his supporters to save themselves. Despite this, Hussain’s men stayed loyal to him and stayed true to their principles. Within a few days Yazid ordered his army to kill Hussain and his companions.
For Sayyiduna Hussain and his elder brother Sayyiduna Hasan, the Messengerﷺ of Allah said: "Al-Hasan and Al-Husain are the chiefs of the youths of Paradise." [Tirmidhi, 3768]
▪️Imam Hussain (ra), the Leader of youth in paradise gets martyred:
The historians like Al-TabriI and bn Kathir write that Sayyiduna Hussain (ra) stood alone for many hours, and whosoever came ahead to kill you returned back thinking that he should not be the one on whose hand his martyrdom shall be written, however a man from Bani Bada came and he was called Malik bin Basheer, he came and struck Hussain (ra)’s head with sword which made a fountain of blood come out from your head and his cap became filled with blood, but Hussain (ra) changed his cap with turban and kept on fighting. Al-Tabri writes that Imam Hussain (ra) attacked Ibn S’ad like an injured lion and hit Ibn S’ad with his sword, Ibn Sa’d brought his hand ahead as a shield which got cut, and he tried to turn away from Imam Hussain (ra), the horseriders then attacked to save Ibn S’ad. Then you were covered from all sides as if there is Ghubaar of dust.
Sayyiduna Imam Hussain (ra) attacked them one by one and nobody had the courage to attack you in groups, Imam Hussain started to kill many enemies, until he stood alone for sometime in which they could have easily killed you, Shimr shouted WHAT IS STOPPING YOU FROM KILLING HIM? Hearding this Zara bin Sharik At-Tamimi went towards you and struck your shoulders, then Sinan bin Anas bin Umro Naji attacked you with his spear and finally brought you down from your horse and separated your head from the body.
Abi Hamza ash Shami from Abdullah al Yamani who narrated from Qasim bin Najit that he said: "When Imam Hussain’s head was brought in the court of Yazid bin Muawiya, he placed his stick on Imam's teeth and said: "The difference between him and me is as; the swords are broken on the heads of those people who go against us and they are disobedient and cruel (i.e. Imam Hussain Naudhobillah)." Hadrat Abu Barza as Salmi said to him: "By Allah your stick is touching the place which was kissed by Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam), for sure when (Hussain) will arrive on day of judgment then Prophet (saw) will be his intercessor."
When the dust settled, Hussain and his companions were killed. Throughout the forces of Yazid promised him he could leave freely if he chooses to support Yazid, but every time Hussain refused and was eventually killed, holding firmly to his principles.
After his death, Hussain’s family were taken captive. His sister, Sayyidah Zainab Binte Ali (ra) , took up the role of leadership and gave an inspiring speech in Yazid’s palace, condemning his actions and his style of leadership. Zainab (ra) was one of the first to be inspired by Hussain’s stand and his principles.
▪️Imam Hussain's Sister Sayyidah Zainab Binte Ali (ra) in court of Yazid Bin Muawiya:
It is narrated through Haris bin Ka’b from Fatima bint Ali that she said: "When we were made to sit infront of Yazid, he had some mercy upon us, at that time a man from Shaam came and asked Yazid to grant her, he meant me and I was a beautiful woman, hearing him I started to tremble and I thought that maybe this was allowed for them, I held the clothes of my sister Zainab (ra) who was elder and more intelligent than me, she knew that it was not allowed. She said to the man: By Allah you have lied and said a lowly thing, this thing is not allowed between you and her. YAZID GOT ANGRY AAND SAID TO ZAINAB: NO YOU HAVE LIED INSTEAD, BECAUSE BY ALLAH SHE IS JAIZ UPON ME AND IF I WANT TO DO IT WITH HER THEN I MAY DO SO (Naudhobillah) Hadrat Zainab (ra) said: "By Allah it is definitely not allowed for you except if you leave our Ummah and choose a deen other than Islam." Hadrat Zainab (ra) explains that Yazid became red in anger and said: "You challenging me is a proof of your brother and father being expelled from Islam (what an absurd and stupid logic of Yazid Kadhab), Zainab (ra) replied: Your father, your grandfather and you people were guided through the deen of Allah, Deen of my father, deen of my brother and deen of my meternal grandfather (i.e. Holy Prophet). After this, Yazid said: "O enemy of Allah you have lied." Zainab (ra) said: "What kind of Ameer ul Momineen are you that you abuse by being one?" Sayyidah Zainab (ra) said that Yazid became speechless, the Shami man asked again for the lady, Yazid said GET LOST, MAY ALLAH GIVE YOU PAINFUL DEATH." [Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah Wal-Nihayah, Volume 8 Page No 195-250]
Despite the sexism that existed in society at the time, she refused to be silent and held Yazid and his ministers to account for their role in the moral decay of society. Hussain’s example is that one man can stand against an army, and in giving his life inspire those after him to overthrow the abusive tyrannical rulership. Just as those who lived in the 7th century were inspired by Hussain’s stand, so are the millions today who pay homage to Hussain by remembering him and by loving him. In a hadith, the Messengerﷺ of Allah said about Hussain (ra) that: "Hussain is from Me, and I am from Hussain . Allah loves whoever loves Hussain." [Tirmidhi, 3775]
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