Introduction:
Al-Husain ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib is one of the most important celebrities of Islam. He occupies a great part of the Islamic history. A lot of books of Islamic studies tackle his life story . He is well known for redeeming himself for the cause of right, principles and values. Al-Husain has had a great effect on Muslims over ages. He was the prophet’s grandson, basil and the master of the youth of paradise. Al-Husain was born on the fifth of Shaban, year four H, in Madina. Muslims remember his life story for sacrificing his life. He is the Muslims’ role model for being a martyr in the cause of Allah. Muslims are sad for the tragic end of his life, and take him as an example.
The character and the upbringing of al-Husain:
The great character of The prince of martyrs had its marvelous background. Genealogy and the environment had a great effect on his character. He lived in Madina, close to civilization. Makkah and Madina were two trade centers. The Arabs used to visit Makkah to see the house of Allah which their great grandfathers Ibrahim and Ismail had built. He inherited courage, bravery, aloofness and strong will from his grandfather, prophet Mohammad and his father, Ali. He enjoyed a wonderful mentality and discipline. Like his grandfathers, Ibn Ali was a master by nature. His great family tree enabled him to occupy the greatest rank in society and history according to the Islamic studies.
The birth of al-Husain ibn Ali:
Ali and Fatima were very happy for his birth. Prophet Mohammad heard the news and rushed to Ali’s house. The prophet held the baby in his arms, recited the Adhan in the baby’s right ear and the Iqama in the left one. Prophet Mohammad chewed a date fruit and rubbed the baby’s teeth gum. After that, prophet mohammad called him al-Husain which means the little beautiful and handsome one. Ever since he was born, he enjoyed his grandfather’s love. When he was seven days old, his grandfather slaughtered two rams in celebration of the baby’s birth.
Between al-Hassan and al-Husain:
Al-Hasan was almost one year older than him . Their mother was very happy with them. The two kids grew up and began to go to the mosque.. One day, the two kids got lost. She hurried in tears to her father, prophet Mohammad. Prophet Mohammad was told where they were. He found them fast asleep, hugging each other. He carried al-Hassan on his right arm and al-Husain on his left one. Abu Bakr wanted to help him. Prophet Mohammad gently refused saying that they were good riders mounting a good mount. At last, Fatima regained her comfort
Al-Hassan, al-Husain and their grandfather:
One day, al-Hassan and his younger brother entered the mosque. The Sahaba were listening to prophet Mohammad was giving a sermon. The two kids stumbled. Prophet Mohammad climbed down the minbar, carried them and placed them next to him on the minber. The prophet said, “I couldn’t wait to see them stumble..” Prophet Mohammad used to play with the two kids. Often, prophet Mohammad would sit with the two kids and teach them the Holy Quran. Aisha said that the prophet covered him under the mantle. After that he arrived and the prophet covered him too. Finally Fatima and Ali arrived and the prophet did the same. Therefore, the Ali household were called the people of the mantle.
Al-Hussain and prophet Mohammed:
He was younger than al-Hassan. Therefore, prophet Mohammad cared for him a lot. One of the companions saw prophet Mohammad covering something under his clothes. When the man asked what it was, prophet Mohammad revealed it. It was al-Hassan and al-Hussain. At this point the prophet made dua saying: “Allahumma these are my children. Please love them and love those who love them.” Another companion said that he held the leash of the prophet’s mule till his house door. The prophet, al-Hassan and younger brother were all riding that mule. Moreover, prophet Mohammad would often ask Allah to protect his grandsons from the devil and the wicked eye.
More stories about al-Husain and the prophet:
Once the prophet was invited to a meal and wanted to take him with him. However, he refused. The prophet began to play games with him till he agreed to accompany him. The prophet said: “Al-Husain is a part of me and I am a part of him. Allah loves those who love al-Husain.” Once prophet Mohammad heard him cry. He told Fatima that the crying of al-Husain hurt the prophet himself. Once, the boy cried and his parents were fast asleep. The prophet milked a goat and fed the boy. Therefore, the two kids would call the prophet Mohammad “Dad”.
Great sadness:
Prophet Mohammad died. Muslims felt very sad. Al-Hassan and al-Husain were very sad. Six months after the prophet’s death, Fatima died too. When Abu Bakr took over, al-Hassan and he were still young children. Abu Bakr would advise people to love prophet Mohamad and his relatives, like al-Hassan and al-Husain. He would often say that the prophet’s relatives are dearer to him than his own relatives. Once he came to Omar ibn al-Khattab. Omar was giving a sermon on the prophet’s minber, kid al-Husain climbed to him and asked him to climb down the minber of the kid’s grandfather; and stand on the minber of Omar’s father. Omar jokingly said that his father, al-Khattab didn’t have one. He let me sit beside him.
Al-Husain and Khalifa Omar:
Omar asked him to visit him again. He went to Omar’s house and saw ibn Omar standing at his father’s door. Therefore, he returned back. When Omar saw him again, he asked him why he didn’t visit him, He said that he did, but he was too shy to enter. Omar said that he should have entered due to the favor of his grandfather. Once Omar gave new Yemeni clothes to people. al-Hassan and al-Husain didn’t take their share. Omar was sad and vowed to clothe the two kids. He commanded his deputy in Yemen to send him clothes for Al-Hassan and al-Husain. One day, Omar gave al-Hassan and his younger brother twenty thousand dirhams; and gave his son only one thousand. His son said that he embraced Islam before they were born. Omar said that their father was better than Omar himself.
Al-Husain and Khalifas Uthman ibn Affan and Ali:
When Uthman took over as a khalifa, al-Husain was a youngman. He was a warrior. who wanted to participate in wars. Therefore, he fought in the conquest of North Africa and in Tabaristan where they spread Islam. When Ali ibn abi Talib took over as a Khalifa, al-Husain supported and obeyed him. Ali kept advising his son. who took his father’s advice very well. However, one night, Ali was killed. Al-Husain used to go fasting, pray and perform hajj a lot. al-Husain spent a lot of money on charity. He performed hajj twenty-five times on foot. He learnt from prophet Mohammad and Ali ibn abi Talib. al-Husain was a true scholar of Islam according to the Islamic studies.
The bounty and generosity of al-Husain:
Al-Husain was famous for his generosity. One day a beggar asked him for money. Al-Husain was praying then. So he hastened his prayer. When he saw the poor beggar, he asked his servant how much money they had. The servant said it was two hundred dirhams for his household expenses.. Al-Husain paid all the money to the beggar. who left happily, thanking al-Husain. On another occasion, he passed a group of poor people who were eating. They invited him to their food. He shared their meal and invited them to his food. Consequently, they went to his house and ate there.
The knowledge and eloquence of al-Husain:
Al-Husain learnt Arabic and literature. He was a matchless eloquent orator. In times of joy and sadness, al-Husain used to speak well. Poets of his time would show him their production so that he would evaluate it. He would reward the good ones. Al-Husain was a good teacher who liked to convey knowledge. People would gather in rings to listen to him. Al-Hsain had a lot of famous and wise sayings and useful advice which showed his wide knowledge. Although al-Husain was very pious, he also practiced jihad. During the reign of Muawiya, he took part in the European conquests and the conquest of Constantinople.
The martyrdom of al-Husain:
Islamic studies teach us that Al-Husain was murdered on the tenth of Al-Muharram 61 H. He was killed in the city of Karbala, Iraq. Prophet Mohammad had foreseen the murder of Al-Husain. Umm Salama narrated that prophet Mohammad said: “A strange angel has just visited me. The angel said that this son of mine would be killed. If you wish to see where it will be, I can show you. The angel showed me some red soil.” Ever since the murder of al-Husain, Muslims have mourned him. The first Muslim to mourn him was his wife Rabab, the mother of Lady Sukainah. Also, Imam al-Shafi mourned him. These days, Muslims remember al-Husain, the master of martyrs.
