The Martyrs of Karbala

-The Kind of People They Were-

Those who surrendered their souls in the way of the Lord at Karbala were the divinely selected ones of the human family. They were ideal personalities with unique qualities which humanity could justly be proud to own in their kind as the matchless gems which the world had ever seen. They were the noblest models of devoted Muslims. The faith in God, the sincere devotion, the dauntless courage, the unconquerable fidelity, the unfailing patience, the charitable disposition, the ideal consideration for life after death and the ever mindfulness of the Day of Judgment which the great martyrs manifested in the hour of their trial at Karbala were obviously the qualities they were divinely conditioned with for the fulfillment of the Divine attributes in a human personality may look into the wonderful sacrifice which Husayn, the King of Martyrs offered in Karbala, in the way of the Lord.

It is a historic fact that a large crowd followed Husayn from Mecca but before the great offering he had to make, Husayn started relating to these people through his repeated sermons the sufferings and the gruesome massacre in store for those who remain with him. The Holy Imam made those in doubt to leave his camp. Only the sincere ones who were wholly devoted to the Lord and who were really anxious of surrendering themselves in His way were left. Husayn wrote letters and sent messages to the chosen few worthy of inclusion into his fold informing them of the arrival of the awaited hour. Thus were collected the gems worthy of presenting to the Lord.

The Companions of Husayn and those of the Holy Prophet

The kind of faithful companions the Holy Imam Husayn had gathered around him was not given to any of the Apostles of God including Jesus and even the Holy Prophet Muhammad to claim such a band of men of spotless character and godly conduct in such a large number among their companions. While one of the disciples of Jesus betrayed hem and connived to get him in the hands of his enemies, none of the other disciples offered to get killed with their Master. In the case of the companions of the Holy Prophet, most of those who claim prominence in their devotion to him, deserted him leaving him in the jaws of death, not once or twice but on every occasion when they felt any danger to their lives. But in the case of Husayn, the faithfulness and the devotion of his comrades in the worst and the most torturous miseries which culminated in the gruesome massacre of one and all of them, is nothing but a matchless marvel which has thrown the human world into wonder and has moved every human heart to sorrow and grief for them, with tears irresistibly rushing into the eyes of men, women and even children in sympathy for the great sufferers in the way of the Lord.

Husayn's Martyrdom was prophesised in the Old Testament

"For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiated and make drunk with their blood for the Lord God of hosts hath a sacrifice in the North country by the river Euphrates."

Brief Notes on some of those Martyred in Kufa and Karbala

1. Abu-Bakr ibne Ali ibne Abi Taleb

He was called 'Muhammad-e-Azghar' or Abdullah from Laila daughter of Masu'ud, son of Hanzala, son of Manath, son of Tameem.

2. Abi Bakr son of the Second Imam Hassan, son of Ali.

3. Abdul Hatoof Ansari and his brother

4. Sa'ad (both sons of Hur).

Both from Kufa who joined the Holy Imam at Karbala.

5. Adhan son of Omayya-al Abdi. From Basra son of Abi Obaida, whose father had been the companion of the Holy Prophet.

6. Aslam-the slave who was purchased and liberated by the Holy Imam- was the scribe engaged to write communications from the Holy Imam.

7. Anas bin Hars-e-Kahili, son of Baniah, son of Kahli who was one of the companions of the Holy Prophet

8. Borair Zibe Khozair-e- Hamdani -

A very old, pious, and devoted companion of Amirul-Momineen, Ali ibne Abi Taleb, one of the prominent noblemen of Kufa. He was the one who came to the Holy Imam begging most humbly to permit him to get martyred for he wanted to die in the way of the Lord and show his face to the Holy Prophet on the Day of Judgment.

9. Omayyabib Sa'd at Tale:

He was one of the companions of Amirul-Momineen.

10. Bushr bin Amrual Hazrami from the famous ones among the faithful ones among the faithful devotees of the Holy Prophet.

11. Bakr bib Hai at Taimi:

Of the Bani Taimi tribe who came to the Holy Imam and volunteered to be martyred in the way of the Lord.

12. Jabib ibne Hajjaj al Taimi:

He was the follower of Muslim-bin-Aqeel in Kufa. Since Muslim was arrested, he hid himself until Husayn arrived in Karbala, and submitted himself until Husayn arrived in Karbala, and submitted himself to the Holy Imam.

13. Jibilath ibne Ali-e-Shaibani:

The one who was attending to Amirul-Momineen in the battle of Siffin.

14. Jafar ibne Aqeel ibne Abi Taleb:

The third brother of Abbas the Standard Bearer of the Holy Imam.

15. Jafar ibne Aqeel ibne Abi Taleb:

Brother of Muslim ibne Aqeel the Deputy of the Holy Imam to Kufa.

16. Jinadat ibne Ka'b Ansari Al-Khazraji:

Along with his son-martyred at Karbala- one of the greatest devotees of the Holy Imam.

17. Jundab bin Mujee al Khaulani:

One of the companions of Ameerul-Momineen who came to the Holy Imam, fell down on his feet and prayed to be permitted to be martyred.

18. Jaun-The liberated slave of Abi-Zar, joined the Second Holy Imam and thereafter he remained with Husayn and had come to Karbala with Husayn. He was trained under Abi-Zar and was a very pious devotee of the Holy Imam.

19. Jaun bin Malike Tameemi:

Of the tribe of Bani Tameem. One who was in Yazid's army. Seeing the Devil's forces decision to attack the Holy Imam, which he never thought would happen, left the ranks of the Devil's forces and joined the Holy Imam.

20. Hars-The liberated slave of hazrat Hamza, the uncle of the Holy Prophet-had come from Madina along with Husayn.

21. Habshi bin Qais-e-Nahmi:

Of a group from the tribe of Hamdan. His grandfather was one of the faithful companions of the Holy Prophet.

22. Hars bin Amarul Qais-e-Kandi:

A very brave nobleman of Arabia. He went into the armies of the Devil, and found his own uncle there. His uncle asked him: "Have you come to kill your uncle?" He replied Yes! you are my uncle, no doubt, but God is my Lord and you have come here against him." He killed his uncle. Along with him three others from the enemy's ranks joined the Holy Imam. All were martyred.

23. Habib bin Amir-e-Taimi:

One who had already paid allegiance to the Holy Imam at the hands of Muslim, was martyred in Kufa. Habib left Kufa and joined the Holy Imam on his way to Karbala.

24. Habib bin Muzahir al-Asadi:

He was known as Habib ibne Mazahir bin Re'aab bin Al-Ashtar from the lineage of Asad Abdul Qasim Al-Asadi - aged 70 years. He was one of the faithful companions of the Holy Prophet, who after the Holy Prophet always remained with Ameerul-Momineen Ali and migrated toe Kufa when the Capital was shifted from Madina to Kufa, and accompanied Ali in all battles he fought against the rebels and traitors. His ideal faithfulness and sincere devotion to he Holy Imam has many glorious details.

25. Hajjaji bin Masrooq al-Jaufi:

One of the faithful companions of Ameerul-Momineen Ali in Kufa.

26. Hajjaji bin Badr as S'di:

Of Basra from the tribe Bani Sa'd, famous nobleman in Kufa. He was the one who carried the communications of the Holy Imam to the pious ones of the devotees of the House of the Holy Prophet in Kufa.

27. Hur ibne Yazdi ar Riyah:

He was the son of Yazid ibne Najiyah bin Qa'nab bin Yitab bin Hur in the lineage of Al'Tarbo'ir Riyahi. A famous nobleman of Kufa, and experienced warrior specially selected by Ibne Ziad to command a contingent against Husayn. He was the one who obstructed Husayn's way near Kufa, but he never believed that the venture of Ibne Ziad was to end in the martyrdom of the Holy Imam. When at Karbala he found that the decision was to martyr the Holy Imam, Hur left the Devil's forces and joined the Holy Imam, seeking pardon for his previous conduct. The Holy Imam received him with special grace. Hur was among the foremost martyrs in the way of God.

28. Hallas bin Amro' ar Rasibi:

He was the son of Amru ar Rasibi who was one of the faithful companions of Ameerul-Momineen Ali.

29. Hanzala bin As'adus-Shabami:

He was the one who carried the message of exhortation from the Holy Imam to ibne Sa'd in Karbala.

30. Rafe' -the liberated slave of Muslim Azdi:

He came from Kufa and volunteered to be martyred in the way of the Lord.

31. Zavir bin Amro al Kandi:

A sincere devotee of the Ahlu Bait and a devoted companion of the Holy Imam. He was a noble personality very much revered and respected by the people.

32. Zohair al Qaine Bijilly:

He was a noble chieftain of his tribe, a man of great influence in Kufa. In the beginning he was attached to the Third Caliph Othman. Once returning from Haj he met the Holy Imam and became a staunch devotee of Husayn. He is the one who bade goodbye to his wife Dalham daughter of Amru, liberating her with a divorce to go to her relatives, and he joined the Holy Imam.

33. Ziad bin Areeb al Sa'idi:

Son of Areeb one of the faithful companions of the Holy Prophet. A very pious and brave noble personality enjoying the trust and the confidence of the people.

34. Salim the liberated slave of Amire Abdi:

A staunch devotee of Amirul-Momineen Ali, from Basra.

35. Salim the liberated slave of Bani Madinatul Kalbi:

Of the tribe Kalb one of the devotees of Amirul-Momineen Ali in Kufa.

36. Sa'd bin Hars and Abul hatoof bin Harse Ansari:

These twin brothers had come from Kufa employed in the forces of the Devil to fight Husayn. Later they left the ranks of the Devil's forces and joined the Holy Imam and got martyred.

37. Sa'd the liberated slave of Amirul-Momineen Ali:

After the martyrdom of Amirul-Momineen, he remained attached to Imam Hassan and later after the martyrdom of Imam Hassan, he remained devoted to Husayn.

38. Sa'd - the liberated slave of Amro bin Khalid:

He volunteered to be martyred for the Truth. A noble personality with a high degree of fidelity and valance.

39. Sayeed bin Abdullah Hanafi:

A noble and very influential personality in Kufa uniquely brave. He was the gentleman who carried Muslim's letter form Kufa to Husayn and remained with the Holy Imam until he was martyred. He was the man who, while the Holy Imam offered his prayers in the field of action (Karbala) stood in front of the Holy Imam and received the arrows from the Devil's forces, on his breast, and protecting the Imam in prayers.

40. Salman bin Mazarib bin Qais al Anmari al Bijilli:

A cousin of Zohair al Qain. He went to Mecca with Zohair and when on his return form Mecca Zohair decided to join the Holy Imam, he accompanied him and got martyred at Karbala. A man of very noble conduct and character endowed with strong will and prowess. A very pious personality fearing none but God.

41. Suleiman bin Razeen-A liberated slave of the Holy Imam:

A truthful and a very reliable gentlemen. A staunch devotee of the Holy Imam. He carried Husayn's letters to the devotees of the Ahlul-Bait in Basra. Ibne Ziad, the Devil's governor of Basra caught him and this faithful servant of the Holy Imam became a martyr.

42. Sawar bin Manyim-e-Nahmi:

A highly respected noble veteran of Iraq, travelled all the way to Karbala to join the Holy Imam to get martyred with him.

43. Suwaid bin Amro bin Abil Mataa al Anmari al Khash'mi:

A noble, highly respected, God-fearing and a brave personality. He fought and fell seriously wounded, and was lying unconscious, the enemy thinking him dead had left him but when he returned to consciousness and heard the rejoicing of the Devil's forces shouting that the Holy Imam had been killed, he got up, and fought, and was martyred.

44. Saif bin Hars al Jabiri and Malik:

These two cousins from Kufa joined the Holy Imam.

45. Saif bin Malid al Abdi a Basri:

A leading devotee of the Holy Ahlul-Bait.

46. Shabeeb a liberated slave of Hars-e-Jabiri-e-Hamadani:

A very brave man who got martyred in the very first attack from the enemy.

47. Shaneb-e-Shakiri:

Well-known in Kufa for his nobility of character, courage, and a revered noble veteran of the town.

48. Zarghaman abin Milik-e-Taghlabi:

A lion-hearted, brave who was faithful to Muslim bin Aqeel in Kufa. After Muslim's martyrdom, he joined the Holy Imam.

49. Aaiz bin Majama'al Aazi:

One of those six, who along with Hur ibne Yazid-e-Riyahi had joined the Holy Imam.

50. Aabis ibne Abi Shabeeb-e-Shakiri:

One of the most pious devotees of Amirul-Momineen, and one of the noblemaen of Kufa. He was one of those who helped Muslim ibne Aqeel in Kufa.

51. Amir bin Muslim at Badi Basri:

With his liberated slave Salim, both the devotees of Amirul-Momineen in Basra, joined the Holy Imam.

52. Abbas Ibne Ali ibne Abi Taleb, Qamare Bani Hashim:

This is the great son of the First Holy Imam Ali ibne Abi Taleb, from the noble lady Hazrat Ummul-Baeen, who was brought into this world to fulfill the desire of Amirul-Momineen to have his own representative, on his behalf to be martyred with Husayn in Karbala. Abbas is well-known to the Muslim World for the unique divine qualities he was endowed with.

This great lion-hearted son of the Lion of God in his qualities and position in Karbala, is next only to the Holy Imam Husayn.

The 'Alam' or the Banner which he held on behalf of the Holy Imam, was the Standard of Islam or the Truth, which is hoisted by the Shias, popularly during the mourning season of Muharram, and is revered as do the faithful subjects of good Kings as a token of their loyalty to him. The Banner being the Standard of Truth is only revered and respected and never worshipped as wrongly imagined and depicted by some ignorant ones. Worship in Islam is due to none but the One, the Only True God.

53. Abdullah ibne Husayn, known as Ali-e-Asghar:

The 6-month old baby son of the Holy Imam, martyred in the very lap of his father whose martyrdom no human heart can bear without shedding tears.

54. Abdullah bin Hassan ibne Ali:

The son of the Second Holy Imam Hassan, a young boy who ran out of the tent to save Husayn when he was being martyred, and was martyred before the Holy Imam.

55. Abdullah bin Bushr Khash'ami tribe. A well known noble personality in Kufa. He came out of Kufa with ibne Sa'd but joined the Holy Imam.

56. Abduallah bin Omair Kalbi:

He had come to Kufa from Madina, and joined the Holy Imam. His wife also accompanied him to serve the Holy ladies. When Abdullah was martyred, his wife sitting at the dead body of her husband said "O Abdullah Thou hath entered Paradise, take me along with thee." The good lady had not finished her lamentations when a slave of Shimar delivered a blow on her head with an axe and she was martyred.

57. Abdul Rahman and Abdullah sons of Orawah bin Harraq al Ghaffari:

These two brothers were noblemen of Kufa. Their grandfather Harraq, was one of the faithful companions of Ameerul-Momineen. They came to the Holy Imam and joined the noble cause.

58. Abdullah bin Muslim bin Aqeel:

Son of Muslim bin Aqeel ibne Abi Taleb. His mother was Roqiah, daughter of Ali through his wife Sahba, from Yamamah was martyred when he went to save the Holy Imam.

59. Abdullah bin Yaqtar-e-Himyart:

He was the son of the good lady who had served the Holy Imam as his nurse in his babyhood.

60. Abde Qais Basri-e-Abdi:

Along with Abdullah bin Zaid-e-Abdi. Obaidullah bin Zaide Abdi, Yazid bin sabeet al Abdi.

These great men well-known and highly respected ones of their tribe came and requested the Imam to permit them to drink the cup of martyrdom along with him.

61. Abdul A'la bin Yazeed al Kalbi al Aleemi:

The famous and respected nobleman from Kufa.

62. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Rab-e-Ansar Khazrji:

One of the faithful companions of the Holy Prophet and a Traditionist and a faithful devotee of Ameerul-Momineen.

63. Abdul Rahman bin Aqeel ibne Abi Taleb.

Son of Aqeel from his wife Omme Walad.

64. Abdul Rahman-e-Arhabi:

One of those who carried the letters of the devotees to the Holy Imam.

65. Abdul Rahman bin Mas'ood at Taimi:

Came out of Kufa along with Ibne Sa'd but later joined the Holy Imam.

66. Othman bin Ali ibne Abi Taleb:

One of the brothers of Hazrate Abbas, the third son of Ommul Baneen.

Joined the Holy Imam on his way to Karbala.

67. Omar bin Janada-e-Ansari:

This is the son of the godly lady who came to the Holy Imam and implored for his permission for her son Omar to be martyred and somehow succeeded in getting it.

68. Ali -e-Akbar son of the Holy Imam:

The 18-year old son of the Holy Imam who resembled the Holy Prophet the most, was martyred by a lance pierced through his breast.

69. Omer bin Zabi'ah Az Zabiyee:

Son of Zabiya at Taimi. Came out of Kufa with Ibne Sa'd but later joined the Holy Imam and was martyred.

70. Amro bin Khalid-e- Saidavi and three others:

When these four person marched towards the camp of the Holy Imam, Hur asked the Holy Imam for permission to stop them from getting near the camp for they were coming from the enemy's ranks. The Holy Imam miraculously said "Oh struck them not, they are coming to me with a good hears. They are my devotees."

71. Amru bin Abdullah-e-Jundayi:

Of the tribe of Hamden.

72. Arm bin Quart al Ansari:

One of the faithful companions of the Holy Prophet and also of Amirul-Momineen.

73. Amru bin Ha'b Abu Thamama al Sa'idi:

One of the faithful devotees and companions of Amirul-Momineen.

74. Amru bin Hassan Talee:

One of the staunch devotees of the Ahlul-Bait.

75. Ammara ibne Salama al Daaalani:

One of the companions of Amirul-Momineen.

76. Aun and Muhammad sons of Jafar-e-Tayyar:

Two sons of Hazrat Zainab the sister of the Holy Imam. Aun was her own son and Muhammad was from the deceased wife (Khausa), of her husband Abdullah bin Jaffar Tayyar. These two were only young boys of about nine and ten years of age. The Holy Lady Zainab, the daughter of Amirul-Momineen and Lady Fatimah, brought these two young boys and implored her brother, the Holy Imam, to permit them to free the enemy. At the persistent implorings from his sister the Holy Imam permitted, and these two young souls were martyred before the very eyes of their mother. This godly daughter of Ali and Fatima, the grand daughter of the Holy Prophet, stood quietly at the dead bodies of her children and said "I will not lament for you have gone in the way of the Lord." The whole camp wept but Zainab stopped them from crying, saying: "Let no my brother feel that I am sorry for losing them in the way of the Lord. Today I am pleased with my children."

77. Qarib:

The son of a liberated slave girl of Husayn This lady, after having been liberated by the holy Imam, was married to a gentlemen and brought her son Qarib and presented him to the Holy Imam and Qarib was brought up by the Holy Imam. He was martyred along with the other devotees, offering himself in the way of the Lord.

78. Qasim bin Hassan bin Ali:

Son of the Second Holy Imam.

79. Qasim bin

A well-known noble of Kufa.

80. Qasith, Kardoos, Musqit-Sons of Zohair al Taghlabi:

These three brothers were the devoted companions of Amirul Momineen who were with him in all his expeditions against the infidels and traitors. They came form Kufa and offered themselves for noble cause and achieve martyrdom.

81. Qan'ab an Namri:

One of the devotees of Amirul-Momineen who came for Basra.

82. Qais bin Mushir as Saidavi:

A very pious personality from a group of the Asadi tribe, extra-ordinarily brave, faithful and one of the sincere and faithful companions of the Holy Prophet. He reported himself to the Holy Imam, from Kufa, and was martyred.

83. Kannah at Taghlabi:

A very noble personality known for his piety in Kufa. A good reciter of the Holy Qu'ran and a very brave, God fearing, influential and powerful noble of Kufa.

84. Majma'ul Jahni:

Son of Zian bin Omar Jahni, one of the aged companions of the Holy Imam. When people began deserting the Holy Imam on the night of Ashura, this old devotee of the Holy Imam remained and achieved martyrdom.

85. Muslim bin Aqeel:

The Deputy of the Holy Imam to Kufa, where he was martyred.

86. Muslim Ibne Ausaja al Asadi:

One of the faithful companions of the Holy Prophet. An aged veteran who had earned a glorious name and fame for his valor and prowess in the expeditions against the infidels. On the night of Ashoora when the Holy Imam told his companions to find their own ways and save themselves from the wholescale massacre of his supporters which was in store for them the following day, Muslim addressing the Holy Imam said: "O son of the Holy Prophet! Where am I to go before myself getting martyred here"?

Muslim was one of the most prominent supporters of the Holy Imam in Karbala, and was martyred there.

87. Muslim bin Katheer al A'waj al Azdi:

One of the devotees of Amirul-Momineen in Kufa.

88. Mas'ood bin Hajjaj Taimy and his son Abdur Rahman bin Mas'ood:

The devotees of Amirul-Momineen from Kufa. These two were known for their piety and righteousness.

89. Muhammad bin Abdullah ibne Jafar:

A young son of Abdullah son of Hazrat Jafar-e-Tayyar, his mother was Khausa, daughter of Hafsa bin Rabi'a.

90. Muhammad bin Muslim Aqeel:

One of the two young sons of Muslim bin Aqeel the Deputy of the Holy Imam who was martyred in Kufa.

91. Muhammad bin Muslim bin Aqeel:

The grandson of Muslim bin Aqeel the Deputy of the Holy Imam to Kufa.

92. Munjeh--the liberated slave of the Second Holy Imam Hassan:

He accompanied Qasim bin Hasan from Medina.

93. Mauq' bin Thamamah Asadi Saidavi Abu Musa:

One of the devotees of the Ahlul Bait in Kufa who escaped from the town at night and joined the Holy Imam at Karbala.

94. Nafe' bin Hilale Jamali:

A companion of Ameerul-Momineen. Reciter of the Holy Qu'ran and Traditionalist. A noble personality known in Kufa for his piety, who escaped from Kufa and joined the Holy Imam in Karbala. A great devotee of Holy Imam who always remained by the side of Abbas the Standard Bearer of Husayn. He could not bear the least disregard for the Holy Imam, from anyone in the Devil's forces.

95. Nasr bin Naizar:

A liberated slave of Amirul-Momineen (The Leader of the faithful). He was presented to the Holy Prophet by the King of Persia and the Holy Prophet presented him to Amirul-Momineen, who freed him. He came to Karbala.

96. Wazeh the Turk:

The Turkish liberated slave of Harse Madhaji. A pious gentlemen, a good reciter of the Holy Qu'ran, who came to Karbala, and presented himself to the Holy Imam.

97. Hani bin Orwah:

Martyred at Kufa with Muslim ibne Aqeel.

98. Yazid bin Ziad bin Mohasir-e-Kandi-Behdile Abush-Sha'sa:

One of the nobles in Kufa. A staunch devotee of Ahlul-Bait. A very pious personality who joined Husayn from Kufa.

99. Yazid bin Maghfal Ja'fi:

A very pious devotee of Ameerul Momineen. A learned poet. His father and grandfather were faithful companions of the Holy Prophet. (s.a.w.a.s.).

100. Husayn ibne Ali, the King of Martyrs:

The divinely promised and prophesised Martyr of the Zibhe Azeem (The Great Sacrifice) in the seed of Abraham through his son Ishmael, in the lineage of Ishmael through Muhammad the Last Apostle of God, Ali the Ameerul Momineen, the First of the Holy Imams and Lady Fatima, the Lady of light.

From: Shiite in Islam

By: The Late Allameh Tabatabayee

The third Imam, Imam Hussein (Seyyed Al-Shuhada), the lord among the martyrs, the second child of Ali and Fatima, was born in the year 4H and later the martyrdom of his brother, Imam Hassan Mujtaba, became Imam through Divine Command and his brothers will.

Imam Hussein was Imam for a period of ten years, all but the last six months coinciding with the caliphate of Mu'awiyah. Imam Hussein lived under the most difficult outward conditions of suppression and persecution. This was due to the fact, first of all, religions laws and regulations had lost much of their weight and credit, and edicts of the Umayyad government had gained complete authority and powers.

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 Shia, and thus obliterate the name of Ali and his family. And above all, Mu'awiyah wanted to strengthen the basis of the caliphate of his son, Yazid, who because of his lack of principles and scruples was opposed to a large group of Muslims.

Therefore, in order to quell all opposition, Mu'awiyah had undertaken newer and more severe measures. By force and necessity Imam Hussien had to endure these days and to tolerate every kind of mental and spiritual agony and affliction from Mu'awiyah and his aides until the middle of the year 60 H when Mu'awiyah died and his son Yazid took his place.

Paying allegiance (bay'a) was an old Arab practice which was carried out in important matters such as of kingship and governorship.

Those who were ruled, and especially the well-known among them, would give their hand in allegiance, agreement and obedience to their king or prince and in this way would show their support for his actions.

Disagreement after allegience was considered as disgrace and dishonour for the people and, breaking an agreement after having signed it officially, it was considered as a definite crime. Following the example of the Holy Prophet, people believed that allegiance, when given by free will and not through force, carried authority and weight.

Mu'awiyah had asked the well known among the people to give their allegiance to Yazid, but had not imposed this request upon Imam Hussein. He had especially told Yazid in his last will that if Imam Hussein refused to pay allegiance he should pass it over in silence and overlook the matter, for he had understood correctly the disastrous consequences which would follow if the issue were to be pressed.

But because of his egoism and recklessness, Yazid neglected his father's advice and immediately after the death of his father ordered the governor of Medina either to force a pledge of allegiance from Imam Hussein or send his head to Damascus.

After the governor of Medina informed Imam Hussein of this demand, the Imam, in order to think over the question, asked for a delay and overnight started with his family toward Mecca.

He sought refuge in the sanctuary of God which in Islam is the official place of refuge and security. This event occured toward the end of the month of Rajab and beginning of Sha'ban of 60 H For nearly four months Imam Hussein stated in Mecca in refuge. This news spread throughout the Islamic world.

On the one hand many people who fled when Yazid became caliph, corresponded with Imam Hussein and expressed their sympathy for him.

On the other hand a flood of letters began to flow, especially from Iraq and particularly the city of Kufa inviting the Imam to go to Iraq and accept the leadership of the populace there with the aim of beginning an uprising to overcome injustices and iniquity.

Naturally such a situation was dangerous for Yazid. The stay of Imam Hussein in Mecca continued until the season for pilgrimage when Muslims from all over the world poured in groups into Mecca in order to perform the rites of Hajj.

The Imam discovered that some of the followers of Yazid had had entered Mecca as pilgrims (hajjis) with the mission to kill the Imam during the rites of Hajj with the arms they carried under their special pilgrimage dress (ihrami).

The Imam shortened the pilgrimage rites and decided to leave. Amidst the vast crowd of people he stood up and in a short speech announced that he was setting out for Iraq. In this short speech in Mecca, Imam Hussein had also declared that he would by martyred and asked Muslims to help him in attaining the goal he had in view and to offer their lives in the path of God.

On the next day he set out with his family and a group of his companions for Iraq. Imam Hussein was determined not to give his allegiance to Yazid and knew full well that he would be killed. he was aware that his death was inevitable in the face of the awesome military power of the Umayyads, supported as it was by corruption in certain sectors, spiritual decline, and lack of will power among the people, especially in Iraq.

Some of the prominent people of Mecca stood in the way of Imam Hussein and warned him of the danger of the move he was making, but he answered that he had refused to give allegiance and give his approval to a government of injustice and tyranny. He added that he knew that wherever he turned or went he would be killed. He would leave Mecca in order to preserve the respect for the house of God and not allow this respect to be destroyed by having his blood spilled there.

While on the way to Kufa and still a few days journey away from the city, he received news that the agent of Yazid in Kufa had put to death the representative of the Imam in that city and also one of the Imam's determined supporters who was a well known man in Kufa.

Their feet had been tied and they had been dragged through the streets. The city and its surroundings were placed under strict observation and countless soldiers of the enemy were awaiting him.

There was no way open to him but to march ahead and to face death. it was here that the Imam expressed his definite determination to go ahead and be martyred; and so he continued on his journey.

Approximately seventy kilometers from Kufa, in a desert named Karbal, the Imam and his entourage were surrounded by the army of Yazid. For eight days they stayed in this spot during which the circle narrowed and the number of the enemy's army increased.

Finally the Imam, with his household and a small number of companions were encircled by an army of thirty thousand soldiers. During these days the Imam fortified his position and made a final selection of his companions and during a short speech stated that there was nothing ahead but death and martyrdom. He added that since the enemy was concerned only with his person he would free them from all obligations so that anyone who wished could escape in the darkness of the night and save his life.

Then he ordered the lights to be turned out and most of his companions who had joined him for their own advatatge dispersed. Only a handful of those who loved the truth - about forty of his close aides - and some of the Bani Hashim remained.

Once again the Imam assembled those who were left and put them to a test. he addressed his companions and Hashimite relatives, saying again that the enemy was concerned only with his person. Each could benefit form the darkness of the night and escape the danger. But this time the faithful companions of the Imam answered each in their own way that they would not deviate for a moment from the path of truth of which the Imam was the leader and would never leave him alone. They said they would defend his household to he last drop of their blood and as long as they could carry a sword. On the month day of the month the last challenge to choose between "allegiance or war" was made by the enemy to the Imam. The Imam asked for a delay in order to worship overnight and became determined to enter battle on the next day.

On the tenth day of Muharram of the year 61 H 680 A.D. the Imam lined up before the enemy with his small band of followers, less than ninety persons consisting of forty of his companions, thirty some members of the army of the enemy of the enemy that joined him during the night and day of the war, and his Hashimite family of children, brothers, nephews, nieces and cousins.

That day they fought from morning until their final breath, and the Imam, the young Hashimites and the companions were all martyred.

Among those killed were two children of Imam Hassan, who were only thirteen and eleven years old; and a five year old child and suckling baby of Imam Hussein.

The army of the enemy, after enduring the war, plundered the harem of the Imam and burned his tents. They decapitated the bodies and burned the tents. They decapitated the bodies of the martyrs, denuded them and threw them to the ground without burial. Then they moved the members of the harem, all of whom were helpless women and girls, along with the heads of the martyrs to Kufa.

Among the prisoners there were three male members: a twenty year old son of Imam Hussein who was very ill and unable to move, namely Ali Ibn Hussein, the fourth Imam; his four year old son, Mohammad Ibn Ali, who became the fifth Imam; and finally Hassan Muthanna, the son of the second Imam who was also he son in law of Imam Hussein and who having been wounded during the war, lay among the dead.

They found him near death and through the intercession of one of the general did no cut off his head. Rather, they took him with the prisoners to Kufa and from there to Damascus before Yazid. The event of Karbala, the capture of women and children of the Household of the Prophet, their being taken as prisoners from town to town and the speeches made by the daughter of Ali, Zaynab, and the fourth Imam who were among the prisoners, disgraced the Umayyads. Such abuse of the Household of the Prophet annulled the propaganda which Mu'awiyah had carried out for years. The matter reached such proportions that Yazid in public disowned and condemned the actions of his agents. The event of Karbala was a major factor in the overthrow of Umayyad rule although its effect was delayed. It is also strengthened the roots of Shiism.

Among its immediate results were the revolts and rebellions combined with the bloody wars which continued for twelve years. Among those who were instrumental in the death of the Imam not one was able to escape revenge and punishment.

Anyone who studies closely the history of the life of Imam Hussein and Yazid and the condition that prevailed at that time, and analyzes this chapter of Islamic History, will have no doubt that in those circumstances there was no choice before Imam Hussein but to be killed. Swearing allegiance to Yazid would have meant publicly showing contempt for Islam, something which was not possible for the Imam, for Yazid not only showed no respect for Islam and its injunctions but also made public demonstration of impudently treading under foot its bias and its laws.

Those before him even if they opposed religious injunctions, always did so in the guise of religion, and at least formally respected religion. They took pride in being companions of the Holy Prophet and the other religious figures in whom people believed.

From this it can be concluded that the claim of some interpreters of these events is false when they say that the two brothers Hassan, and Hussein, had different tastes and that one chose the way of peace and the other the way of war, so that one brother made peace with although he had an army of forty thousand while the other went to war against Yazid with an army of forty. For we see that this same Imam Hussein, who refused to pay allegiance to Yazid for one day, lived for ten years under the rule of Mu'awiyah, in the same manner as his brother who also had endured for ten years under Mu'awiyah they would have been killed without there being the least benefit for Islam.

Their deaths would have had no effect before the righteous-appearing policy of Mu'awiyah, a competent politician who emphasized his being a companion of the Holy Prophet, the "scribe of the revelation" and "uncle of the faithful" and who used every strategem possible to preserve a religious guise for his rule.

Moreover, with his ability to set the stage to accomplish his desires he could have had them killed by their own people and then assumed a state of mourning and sought to revenge their blood, just as he sought to give the impression that he was avenging the killing of the third caliph.

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