Karbala: This event revolves around the brave Hazrat Hussain Ibn Ali (A.S) and the sacrifices and hardships endured by him and his family. Hazrat Hussain (A.S) is the son of Hazrat Ali (A.S) and the grandson of Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W).
The Battle of Karbala was a conflict between Good and Evil, with Hazrat Hussain (A.S) confronting Yazid. On one side, Hazrat Hussain aimed to safeguard Islam and its laws, while on the other, Yazid, son of Muawiya, sought power and authority.
Background:
A sequence of events led to the Battle of Karbala. Initially, Hazrat Ali (A.S) engaged in several battles against Muawiya to uphold Islamic laws. Subsequently, Hazrat Hasan had to sign a peace treaty with Muawiya to protect the Ummah. Yazid aspired to become the caliph and sought Hazrat Hussain’s (A.S) loyalty. Due to disagreements, Hazrat Hussain opposed Yazid’s rule, escalating tensions.
Yazid employed power, bribery, threats, and force to establish himself as an Islamic ruler after people initially rejected him. As the true representative of Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.W), Hazrat Hussain (A.S.) adamantly rejected Yazid’s claim.
Yazid dispatched Walid Ibn Utbah to Medina to secure Hazrat Hussain’s (A.S) allegiance or his head. Hazrat Hussain (A.S) moved to Mecca with his family, responding to the people of Kufa who wanted him as their leader. He sent Muslim Ibn Aqeel to assess the situation. Learning of Yazid’s assassination plot, he left for Kufa to confront Yazid.
En route, Hazrat Hussain (A.S.) learned that Muslim Ibn Aqeel had been executed. He continued with his companions and family. He encountered Hurr al-Riyahi’s army, initially an enemy, who later joined Hazrat Hussain’s (A.S) cause.
The Battle of Karbala:
As Hazrat Hussain (A.S) reached Karbala, he faced Ibn Sa’ad’s army. Hazrat Hussain (A.S) negotiated with Ibn Sa’ad, seeking permission to leave, but opposition from Shimr Bin Dhil-Jawshan led to a siege. Umar Ibn Sa’ad, pressured by consequences, chose to battle Hazrat Hussain (A.S).
On the day of Ashura, Hurr joined his forces. The battle began. Despite being outnumbered, Hazrat Hussain’s (A.S) followers fought valiantly. As the day progressed, most were martyred, leaving only Hazrat Hussain (A.S) and his family. His infant son, Ali Asghar, was slain when Hazrat Hussain (A.S) sought water.
Facing overwhelming odds, Hazrat Hussain (A.S) prayed for strength. Finally, Hazrat Hussain (A.S) was alone among thousands. Wounded and surrounded, he was killed by Shimr.
The bodies of Karbala’s heroes were left in the desert, later buried by Bani-Asad. Umar Ibn Sa’ad took the women and children as prisoners.
Karbala is a testament that truth and justice endure against evil. May the sacrifices of Hazrat Hussain (A.S) and the martyrs inspire us to stand for righteousness, even in adversity.
“Death with dignity is better than a life of humiliation.”—Imam Hussain (A.S.).
