Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shi'a Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad and spiritual leader of the Shi'a people.

Hussein's martyrdom is a sad day for all Muslims especially the Shi'a, who mourn the massacre of their "Prince of Martyrs" and his family in Karbala in 61AH/680CE.

Hussein, who held the title of Imam, meaning spiritual leader of Islam, refused to swear allegiance to Yazid, the second Umayyad Caliph. He tried to travel from Medina to Kufa but was surrounded by forces loyal to Yazid in the desert at a place now known as Karbala.

Hussein's followers were greatly outnumbered and dying of thirst, indeed his brother 'Abbas was killed trying to bring water back to the camp. On the 10th day of Muharram, Hussein's followers were massacred and their leader beheaded after declaring, "death with dignity is better than life with humiliation".

The commemoration of this brutal massacre begins on the first day of Muharram and continues for 40 days. During the first 10 days of Muharram millions of Shi'a (and Sunni) Muslims remember the massacre at Karbala and strive to feel some of Hussein's pain.

The 10th day of Muharram is known as 'Ahsura' which recalls the day of the massacre in Karbala, a town in modern day Iraq which is second only to Mecca and Najaf as a spiritual beacon to the Shi'a.

Just 100km south of Baghdad, Karbala houses the shrine of Hussein and his brother Al-Abbas. For centuries Shi'a pilgrims flocked here during Muharram, a practice which was severely limited under the regime of Saddam Hussein.

This year for the first time in nearly 30 years Shi'a can openly commemorate Muharram in the streets of Karbala without fear of repercussions. For many pilgrims this will be their first taste of religious freedom in post-war Iraq.

Recite the Beginning of the Month Salaat 

Recite the following Dua on the water to be used to take a bath for cure/protection  from illness:-
Subh'anallahi maal-al mizaan  Subh'anallahi muntahal h'ilm Subh'anallahi mublaghar riz'aa Subhanallahi zinatal a'rsh
Glory be to Allah the Supreme balance ,Glory be to Allah the Ultimate in gentleness, Glory be to Allah the Goal of devotedness, Glory be to Allah the splendour of the Arsh

On the First of the Month Recite a 2 Rakat Salaat with Al hamd & 11 times Ikhlass in each Rakat & recite the following Dua:-

Bismillah

Duaa No. 2

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. Instead of joyous celebration, Muslims mark the beginning of the new year by taking up the black attire of sorrow and participate in mourning gatherings in which the sacrifices of Hussein and his companions are commemorated.

Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was brutally massacred in Karbala alongside his family and friends in the year 680 CE/61 AH. Their martyrdom is a sad day for all Muslims, especially the Shi'a, who hold mourning ceremonies to recall the righteous virtues for which the valiant martyrs stood and the grave calamities that they thus had to bear.

Hussein, the third of the twelve Imams (Divinely appointed leaders) according to the Shi'a faith, refused to swear allegiance to Yazid. Yazid was not only an open sinner and transgressor of the teachings of Islam, but he was also a most cruel tyrant who oppressed those over whom his rule prevailed.

Hussein's followers were greatly outnumbered and dying of thirst on the day of their martyrdom, also known as the day of Ashura. The small band of about 72 thirsty companions were confronted by an army in excess of 30,000, yet they faced them with resolute strength and unwavering conviction. Each one of the seventy-two exhorted their killers towards righteousness before and during battle, in the midst of flying spears and arrows.

The commemoration of this brutal massacre begins on the first day of Muharram and continues for 40 days. During the first 10 days of Muharram, millions of Muslims remember the massacre at Karbala and strive to strengthen their individual characters by paying heed to lessons learnt from Hussein in Karbala.

Today the shrines of Hussein and Abbas, Hussein's brother, in Karbala  about 100km south of Baghdad, are flocked by millions of devotees who pay homage to them and renew, through their message, their eternal struggle against humiliation and oppression.
 

"O God! Here is the place where our blood will be shed. Here is the place where our graves will be." - Imam Hussein

This is a day by day account of Hussein's time in Karbala leading up to the massacre on Ashura.

Day 1 AH 61 (1st October 680)
Hussein and his followers are prevented from reaching Kufa by Caliphate general, al-Hurr, at-Tamini's 1,000-strong army, and are forced to make camp in the desert at Karbala, 75km from Kufa. It is here at this fateful place that Hussein and his followers' torment began.

Day 2
Hussein speaks to his followers at the camp and assures them of their goodness and truth. In return, they pledge their loyalty to him. Then, foreseeing his death, Hussein purchases about four square miles of land to be the site for his and his family's graves from the local residents of the area. 

Day 3
Four thousand additional troops under the command of Umar ibn Sa'd arrive with instructions from Ubaydu'llah ibn Ziyad that they should prevent Hussein from leaving until he signs a pledge to the Caliph, Yazid. Ibn Sa'd's men prepare for battle and surround Hussein's party, cutting them off from the river, their only source of water.

Day 4
Hussein begins negotiations with ibn Sa'd stressing he has no desire to initiate bloodshed and asks to be allowed to withdraw to Arabia but ibn Sa'd refuses to relent. Meanwhile the situation in Hussein's camp is becoming more and more desperate due to the lack of water and fresh supplies.

Day 5
The size of the army facing Hussein's small band of followers swells as even more troops arrive to join their brothers in arms on the banks of the Euphrates River.

Day 6
The lack of water leads to desperate measures. Hussein uses a tent pole to dig a well, but their relief is short-lived as it dries up. Ibn Ziyad sensing their anguish, sends 500 troops to reinforce the cordon around the Euphrates.

Day 7
Fearing for the health of the women and children, Hussein asks his brother 'Abbas to conduct a midnight raid past the Caliphate troops to bring back water from the river. Despite a brief skirmish 'Abbas brings back some precious water to camp earning himself the title, 'Saqqa', or water bearer. The water is a godsend but does little to assuage the thirst of the entire camp.

Day 8
In desperation Hussein sends a message to Sa'd requesting they meet, he questions Sa'd's allegiance to Yazid by asking, "Don't you fear God on the Day of Judgement? You know who I am". Sa'd's loyalty is unshaken; he considers trying to act as a peacemaker between Hussein and Yazid but is dissuaded when his supporters urge him not to compromise.

Day 9
After a long, hot day in the desert filled with the cries of children for water, Hussein's camp prepares for the attack they know is coming and are powerless to stop. Hussein gathers his companions together and pleads with them; "Whoever remains with me will be killed tomorrow; so consider this opportunity as Allah sent and take advantage of the darkness and go home to your villages." He then extinguishes all the lights in the camp to allow those who want to leave to do so. His followers weep and reply, "Oh master do not thus shame us before Allah..were we to desert you, may the wild beasts of the jungle tear us to pieces."

Hussein sends one last message to Sa'd asking to be spared one last night so that they may pray to Allah and recite the Qur'an. Sa'd reluctantly agrees and the Imam gathers his followers together for one last sermon. Again, his followers protest their loyalty and vow to die alongside their master.

Such was the power of their faith that when the enemy saw them praying 32 soldiers switched sides and joined them including Hurr, the commander of the original army that had routed Hussein from Kufa. He became one of the first martyrs to fall.  

Day 10 'Ashura'
Friday 10th Muharram, 61 AH (10th October AD680) On what was to be his last day Hussein and some of his followers implore the ibn Sa'd troops for the final time not to shed the blood of the Prophet's house. Leading by example, ibn Sa'd is the first to shoot an arrow into the pitifully small camp. Despite their lack of numbers, Hussein's followers fight ferociously refusing to give up.

By mid-afternoon Hussein and his relatives face the marauding army, their defence spent. One by one they fall including Hussein's sons aged just 11 and 13. Husayn continues to appeal to the enemy's humanity; he takes his six-month-old baby son and pleads for water. The enemy respond by shooting poisoned arrows which pierce the neck of the baby killing it instantly.

Finally Hussein is the last left standing finally falling on the battlefield next to his dead comrades. Covered in wounds, Hussein is then decapitated and his body is mutilated in order to send souvenirs back to Yazid. His followers suffer a similar fate. Their bodies are trampled by enemy horses and left where they fell denying them a Muslim burial.

Yazid's soldiers then loot and plunder the remains of the camp taking the women and children prisoner including 'Ali, the only surviving son of Hussein.

Find out more about the key people mentioned in the historical events surrounding the Ashura massacre in Karbala.
(NB: Hijri dates are given beforehand followed by Gregorian dates, thus 132AH/750CE)

Ali (Abu'l - Hasan 'Ali ibn Abi Talib)
Though not directly involved at Karbala, 'Ali is a vitally important character in Islamic history. The fourth Caliph and the first Shi'a Imam his place in Shi'a history is guaranteed. The cousin of the Prophet and husband of Fatima, Ali inspired the name Shi'a ( Shi'a at Ali - the party of 'Ali). It was the usurpation of Ali's rights preventing him from succeeding the Prophet Mohammad as leader of the Islamic community which is looked upon by Shi'a as the event that sparked their movement. Shi'a historians emphasise the strong bond that existed between the Prophet and 'Ali. It was 'Ali's father who looked after the Prophet after his parents died and thus Mohammad became very close to his young cousin. Aside from Khadija, the Prophet's wife, 'Ali was the first person to acknowledge the Prophet's mission and convert to Islam. In the eyes of both Shi'a and Sunni Muslims 'Ali has acquired an almost legendary reputation as a paragon of virtue and a veritable fount of knowledge.

Hasan - Imam Hasan ibn Ali
Known as the chosen (al - Mujtaba) Hasan is considered by Shi'a to have become the religious leader (Imam) following the death of 'Ali. Hasan was born in the year 3AH/625CE in Medina and was raised with his younger brother Hussein in the Prophet's household. Mohammad said of his beloved grandchildren, "he who has loved Hasan and Hussein has loved me and he who has hated them has hated me". Hasan was declared Caliph after the assassination of his father but relinquished the Caliphate to his political rival Mu'awiya to prevent a rift in Islamic society. Some have criticised Hasan for relinquishing control but Shi'a historians claim his abdication was realistic, compassionate and avoided bloodshed. Hasan, after his abdication in 41AH/661CE retired to Medina and led a quiet life away from the spotlight. Hasan died in 50AH/670CE aged 47, Shi'a say he was poisoned by his wife at the instigation of Mu'awiya but it can't be proved.

Hussein - Imam Hussein ibn Ali
The 'Master of Martyrs' (Sayyid ash - Shuhada) as many Shi'a call him was born on the '3rd of Sha'ban' in the fourth year of the Hijra (626CE). His grandfather, the Prophet Mohammad named him Hussein, meaning one of beautiful character. Hussein was brought up with his older brother Hasan in the household of the Prophet who referred to the two children as the "chiefs of the youths of paradise". When his brother Hasan died, Hussein became head of the household but did not act against the ruling Caliph at the time, Mu'awiya. Upon Mu'awiya's death the Caliphate was controversially passed to his son Yazid. Hussein could not accept Yazid's rule which led to his murder by Yazid's forces on the 10 Muharram AH61/680CE, a day known as Ashura. His body lies in a holy shrine in Karbala and has become a pilgrimage site for millions of Shi'a.

Mu'awiya
He became Caliph at the age of 59 after 'Ali's assassination in 661CE. He engineered an agreement with Hasan to relinquish the Caliphate in return for promising peace and not requiring the members of the House of the Prophet to swear allegiance to him. The peace treaty asserted that, "he (Mu'awiya) would harbour no evil or harmful schemes towards Husan..his brother Hussein, or any of the people of the House of the Messenger of God". Some say part of the agreement was that the Caliphate would revert to Hasan on Mu'awiya's death. Instead, prior to Mu'awiya's death in 60AH/680CE, he arranged for his son, Yazid, to succeed him as part of the Umayyad dynasty which ruled until 132AH/750CE.

Yazid
Son of Mu'awiya, Yazid was born in 21AH/642CE and inherited the Caliphate from his father. He ruled for just three years amidst reports of bribery and threats. Most historians view Yazid as a drunkard who openly flouted the laws of Islam. Despite his father's wishes to respect the agreement that he had made with Imam Hasan, Yazid required the Prophet's grandsons to swear allegiance to him to ensure his credibility. Hussein refused to swear allegiance to Yazid which resulted in the massacre at Karbala on Ashura.

'Ubaydu 'llah ibn Ziyad
Ziyad was the governor of Basrah who was appointed by Yazid to take control of Kufa. Under his tough leadership, Ziyad successfully intimidated the Kufans, who had declared their support for Hussein, into not joining him. It was his orders, relayed to the armies at Karbala that resulted in the Ashura massacre.

Zaynab (Zainab)
The sister of the Imam, Zaynab was taken prisoner after the massacre at Karbala by ibn Ziyad on behalf of Yazid. She reportedly conducted herself with dignity and courage. When there was the possibility of ibn Ziyad killing her nephew, 'Ali, the only surviving son of Hussein, she threw her arms around 'Ali's neck exclaiming, "by God, I will not be parted from him and so if you are going to kill him, then kill me with him". Ibn Ziyad imprisoned the captives and did not kill 'Ali but sent them to Yazid with the head of Hussein. Although ibn Yazid mocked 'Ali and Zaynab he eventually allowed them to return to Medina.

Al-Hurr at Tamimi
He was the young commander of a 1000-strong military detachment who intercepted Hussein's party as it approached Kufa. But on the morning of Ahsura, Hurr was one of the 32 troops once loyal to Yazid who switched sides when faced with the emotive words of Hussein and the enormity of act of violence he was about to commit. He was one of the first martyr to fall fighting to protect Hussein. His shrine now lies in Karbala, Iraq.

Muslim ibn Aqeel
He was Hussein's cousin who was sent ahead as an envoy to Kufa to see if the people could be trusted to be loyal. He sent word back saying that the Kufans were loyal but was murdered by the governor Ziyad who was loyal to ibn Yazid.

Al - Abbas
'Abbas was the half-brother of Hussein who was given the title of water bearer (Saqqa) and was killed at Karbala when he was ambushed whilst trying to get badly needed water to his brother and his followers. His shrine, as with Hussein's, is in Karbala.
 

The captives were taken to Kufa where Zaynab, Hussein's sister is defiant in the face of ibn Ziyad, one of battlefield commanders. They are forced to travel to Damascus where Yazid gloats over the head of Hussein and insults Ali and Zaynab, the only family who survived the massacre at Karbala. They are later released and allowed to return to Medina after Yazid begins to fear the backlash as news of the massacre spreads.

Karbala was a watershed for Yazid. The bloodbath at Karbala, the imprisonment of the women and children of the Household of the Prophet, their parading in chains from town to town, and the speeches made by Zaynab, Hussein's sister, all contributed to the end of Yazid's rule and the overthrow of the dynasty Muawiyah founded.

Whilst it would seem that the birth of Shi'a can be linked to the assertion that only 'Ali could succeed Mohammad as Caliph, the tragedy of Karbala revitalised the official Shi'a movement. The tragedy played an enormous role in the galvanising of Shi'a identity. The fate of Hussein was destined to become the most important agent in the propagation and comparatively rapid spread of Shi'a Islam.

In giving his life, Hussein ensured the survival of his faith. 

The holy city of Karbala, situated 100 km south of Baghdad, derives its name from the ancient Babylonian meaning "sacred place of God" from the two shrines it houses of the Prophet Mohammad's grandson Hussein and his brother 'Abbas.

The brothers and 72 of their followers were massacred here by troops loyal to Caliph Yazid some 1300 years ago. This event had far-reaching effects for Islam, led to the downfall of the Umayyad dynasty and consolidated the Shi'a identity. Commemoration of this event at Karbala is one the most important events in the Shi'a calendar.

For Shi'a Muslims Karbala is second only to Mecca and possibly Najaf as a sacred site and millions of the faithful throughout history have flocked to the shrines of Hussein and 'Abbas especially during the month of Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of their "Master of Martyrs".

But Karbala has a long history as a sacred city. On the edge of the Syrian desert, this trading town has a rich history going back to Babylonian times when it was used as a Christian graveyard.

Construction of the present city of Karbala began on 12th Muharram 61AH/680CE when the people from the local Bani Asad tribe buried the bodies of Hussein and his companions on the spot where the massacre had occurred.

Over the years, the burial place became known as a shrine and Muslim rulers constructed a dome, galleries, gardens and a mosque around the tomb. Defensive walls followed to protect the city.

The tombs of Hussein and his doomed supporters with their lofty minarets became a symbol of grace and hope for the destitute. They also transformed Karbala into a thriving oasis town and a focus of Shi'a scholarship in Iraq.

Not everyone shared the Shi'a reverence for the final resting place of Hussein and his followers which have been subjected to numerous acts of vandalism.

The original shrine was destroyed by the 'Abbasid Caliph Mutawakkil in 235AH/850CE and the site ploughed over. After the death of this Caliph, a shrine of some sort was again erected but the bulk of the present shrine probably dates from the time of 'Adudu'd-Dawla, the Buyid prince, 369AH/979CE. The building was subjected to further violations including the dome burning down in the 11th century.

The most serious damage to the shrine was inflicted by the Wahhabis in 1801 and the Ottoman army under Najib Pasha in 1843 when Karbala was sacked and the tombs of Hussein and 'Abbas stripped of all their gold and precious ornaments. This was quickly restored by contributions from Persians and other Shi'a Muslims.

The last important restoration of the shrine occurred at the behest of Nasiru 'd-Din Shah in the 1850s when the dome was gilded and other important structural work carried out. The enclosed area around the shrine is called the Ha'ir and is strictly off limits to non-believers.

In addition to the Shrine of Hussein lies the equally imposing Shrine of 'Abbas, the half brother of Hussein, where he and the other members of the family of 'Ali are said to have been buried.

Muharram commemorates the events that took place in Karbala in 61AH/680CE which culminated in the massacre of Hussein and his followers.

As a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammad Imam Hussein was considered by Shi'a Muslims to be their spiritual leader and their tradition dictated he should lead the Islamic community as Caliph (political and spiritual leader).

But when Hussein was to have assumed the Caliphate his claim was dismissed by the then ruling Caliph, Mu'awiyah, the son of one of the Prophet's enemies. He claimed that his superior military strength, political abilities and age made him a better candidate than either Hasan (Hussein's older brother) or Hussein himself.

On Mu'awiyah's death, the Caliphate passed to his son Yazid who required Hasan and Hussein to pay homage (Bay'at) to him as rightful leader.

Hussein was unwilling to swear allegiance to Yazid and decided to travel to Kufa in Iraq to lead his supporters there against the Caliphate.

Yazid ordered an army to intercept Hussein and stop him from reaching Kufa. The martyr's family and supporters got as far as Karbala before they were surrounded by a large number of Yazid's troops.

Hussein, still refusing to swear allegiance to an authority he did not believe was legitimate, faced a desperate situation. His party of 72 armed men, 18 family members and 54 supporters were stranded in the harsh desert without water or supplies.

Desperate to avoid bloodshed, Hussein put his case to Yazid's generals over eight long days, appealing to their sense of humanity and faith to no avail.

At dawn on the 10th day - Ashura - after Hussein addressed his followers for the last time, Yazid's troops fired arrows at the camp and the battle was underway.

Hopelessly outnumbered Hussein's followers were unable to resist the onslaught, one by one all of the men fell including Hussein, his brother 'Abbas had been killed earlier, only the women and children were spared.

Hussein was decapitated, his body mutilated and trampled by horses. After the troops left, the desert people around what was to become Karbala retrieved Hussein and 'Abbas' bodies and buried them. Pilgrims have come to Karbala ever since and it is now one of the most important Shi'a shrines in the world.

A description of the events that took place in the days leading up to Ashurah (anonymous writer)

Every year on the 10th of Muharam the Shia Muslims all over the world commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The commemoration starts from the first day and the  peak is reached on the 10th day, Ashurah. Today is the first day of Muharam. Food cooked and given free. Imam Hussein is the grandson of Prophet Mohammad from his daughter Fatima who was married to his cousin and son in law Ali Bin Abi Talib. Prophet Mohammad used to call him and his brother Hassan as his beloved sons. He is the one who chose their names after they were born. They grew up in an environment of Bano Hashem, the tribe of Mohammad and Ali. Unlike Bano Omaiyah, Bano Hashem rejects corruption, oppression and racial discrimination. Bano Omaiyah considers themselves above the others and the Arabs above the non Arabs. This discrimination reached its peak during the reign of Maawiyah Bin Abo Sofiyan and his son Yazid in Damascus in Syria. One of the major causes for Imam Hussein to reject the leadership of Maawiyah and Yazid was because of their corruption, oppression, slavery and injustice. After the death of Prophet Mohammad and before his burial a new era of struggle for power started. Al Insars who were the inhabitants of Madinah gathered in a place called Saqefat Bani Saiedah which is their community meeting place and selected among them Saad Bin Uobadah to be the leader. The Mohajreen who migrated with Prophet Mohammad the tribe of Koriesh heard this. They left the body of the Prophet and went to the same place. The two sides clashed and argued about who should be the leader. The scene was chaotic with threats from both sides. Ali and the family of the Prophet didn't attend and were ignored. Ali was adopted by Mohammad when he was a boy to help his Uncle Abi Talib during a tough economical crises. He was the son in law of the Prophet, his cousin, and brother by choice and the first one to embrace Islam after the Prophet and his deputy at least according to many Muslims at that time. Ali was poor and he was disliked by the rich aristocrats of the Qurishis tribe. The trees here is the site of Alskefa The meeting resulted in taking allegiance to Abo Baker who was one of the Immigrants to Madenah. Some Muslims rejected and some asked to wait until Ali and the Prophet kinsmen finished from his burial but the matter was moved forward. This was a breakthrough point in the history of division in Islam. Soon after this many Muslims refused to pay charity to Abu Baker and that was suppressed by forces led by Khaled Bin Alwaled who killed the leader of the region, Malek Bin Nowerah and married his beautiful wife on the same day! Ali (the father of Hussein) hadn't submitted his allegiance until the death of Fatima 6 months later. At this time the power established well in the hands of Abo Baker and Omar and had he not done so he may have been killed. Abo Baker and Omar used Ali as a consultant for them. During the reign of Othman who is from Bano Omayiah there was a lot of unrest in Egypt and Iraq and other parts due to the oppressive and unjust behaviours of the local leaders. Othman appointed leaders among his family and some of them were arrogant to the people. The unrest resulted in surrounding Othman's house. Ali tried to stop things but was unable to so the revolted people killed Othman. This was a major point in the history of Islam. Here the division started to take on a different shape. Now Ali has been selected by the people to lead and he refused, initially but the revolted people, and others convinced him that they need his leadership now! He accepted but Muawyaih, in Damascus, who was the cousin of Othman refused this move and entered into many wars with Ali. After the death of Ali (killed during prayer in Kuffa mosque), Maawiyah signed an agreement with Ali's eldest Son Hassan to stop the blood shade and now the power will go to Al Hassan, after him, but Maawiyah killed Al Hassan by placing poison in his honey. He then forced everyone to give allegiance to his son Yazid, after him. After his death Yazid word to Madenah to tell the people to recognize him as their leader. He instructed his army if any one refused to give allegiance to be killed. He named Al Hussein as one of the most important people to start with. Yazid was arrogant, oppressive, and an unjust man. His messenger went to Al Hussein and insisted on his allegiance to Yazid. Imam Hussein knew if he accepted this it would mean the end of all morality within Islam and the acceptance of a slavery dictatorship ruled over by Yazid; he refused. Imam Hussein then decided to leave with his family (wife, children, brothers and companions) to Iraq knowing full-well that Yazid has plans to assassinate him and hurt his family.   He travelled from Madenah to Makkah then across the desert towards Kuffa. AlHussein leaving the city of his grand father to Iraq To Kuffa Yazid arranged a huge army of 33,000 men who were very well equipped and appointed Oubiad Alla Bi Ziad as the governor of Kuffa. Bin Ziad was known for his arrogance, unmerciful ness and oppressiveness. He was governor of Basrah. Since his arrival to Kuffa he worked in two ways, 1) threats and murder and 2) buying the people's allegiance. He captured the messenger of Imam Hussein and his cousin, Bin Akeel. He beat him and threw him from the roof of the palace. He then crucified him with Hani Bin Urowa, his hostess. Yazid sent his strongest army while Bin Ziad sent an army to surround Imam Hussein and his family and prevent them from changing their direction until Yazid's army arrived. Imam Hussein's army consists of just over 100. They forced Imam Hussein and his family (the family of the Prophet Mohammad) to retreat to Karbala. (Karbala -kar translates to anguish and bala translates to vexation). Imam Hussein did his best to reason with them, pointing out that they are surrounding the women and children of their own Prophet, keeping them in danger, but they refused to listen.  They insisted that he must submit completely his allegiance, both, to Bin Ziad and Yazid or he will face death.   After a long and exhausting journey through the desert the children cried out in thirst and the men and women also suffered horribly from dehydration and unbelievable thirst. The army would not allow them close to the Euphrates river. He took his infant son, Ali Asgher, crying aggressively for water, to the army pleading with them to please allow his son a few drops of water. The child is then struck in the neck, as he is held tight in his fathers arms,  the victim of Hurmula’s arrow. The blood is profuse as the arrow cuts through the neck of the infant and strikes his father in the shoulder. The emotions are devastating as his sons body becomes limp in his arms. Everyone was silent, even though some in Yazid's army sobbed they would not go against Yazid to help the Imam. Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn was born in Medina. He was one of the three sons of Imam Hussein. The other two were Ali ibn Hussein, the fourth Shia Imam, and Ali Akbar ibn Hussein, who Yazid's forces also martyred in the Battle of Karbala. Ali Asghar was also adored by his sister Sukayna bint Hussein. On the 10th of Muharam around midday Yazid's army attacked Imam Hussein's camp. Imam Hussein announced that we are up until this point one nation but if the sword divides us then we became two nations. From that time the division between Shias and Sunni manifests itself very clearly. Shia translates to: the supporters or  the followers of, as Shi'a from this moment on it means the supporters of Ali and the Ahlulbayt (the family of the Prophet Mohammad). The night before the war Imam Hussein gathered his family and his followers. He told them they really only want him and so all are free to leave but not one would leave his side.  Many brave men fought with the Imam, one of which was a Christian man named John  b. Abi Malik. He was a slave of Abu Dharr Ghaffari.  Last moments before battle In only a short few hours they brutally  killed everyone in the Imam's army and when Imam Hussein remained alone the Imam asked "Is their not any one of you who protects the family of the messenger of God?" , not one replied, they attacked him viciously, beheading him as they did his brothers/followers, placing their heads on long spears where by they could then parade, proudly, with the severed heads of the companions and the family members of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). After his death they ran to the tents of the women and set the tents on fire.  They ran in fear as the women made their best attempts to protect the thirty and terrified children. The rest of the women and children were beaten and thier clothing was removed, in an attempt to humiliate them further. They were taken as captives. Among them was Zainab, the sister of Imam Hussein, who witnessed the massacre of her sons, brothers, nephews and other relatives, her mind riddled with the horrific images. Back without Hussein! Zainab asked; Oh horse, where is Hussein my beloved brother? They cut the head of Imam Hussein and his companions and left the bodies to rot in the hot desert sun. Yazid's army set fire in the camp and terrified and beat the women and children. The women lament over the rider-less horse of Imam Hussain. This is the present day site where Imam Hussein was killed and slaughtered The Tomb of the body of Al Hussein. His head buried in Cario Bin Ziad was overjoyed at the sight of Hussein's head on a spear. Sadistically he took his cane and hit it across the mouth of the Imam's head.  He then turned his attention to the women, the family of the Prophet,  looking to humiliate them further. Zainab then delivered a strong speech describing the magnitude of the crimes against them. In spite of his illness,Ali Ibn el Hussain (son of Hussein) and humiliating position in front of Yazid the Ummayad ruler, when Yazid addressed him in an insulting manner saying that his father wasted his life by refusing to give the oath of allegiance to Yazid, the new young Imam replied, it was to save Islam. They were wondering how Islam was saved. When time for Azan came and the Moazzin screamed from the minaret” I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, Imam shouted to Yazid, this is the way Islam was saved. People would have forgotten the name of Muhammad as the Messenger of Allah if his grandson would not have shown the world that you were a ruler by default. Bin Ziad ordered his guards to kill Ali who was quite ill and was unable to have joined the battle with his faither. Zainab , Ali's Aunt, threw herself over him and  told them that if they kill him they would first have to kill her, Bin Ziad withdrew. Ali remained in prison for one year with the whole family. The tomb of the martyrs who died with Hussein Captives with chains to Bin Ziad. The army then took the women and children on a camel caravan to Damascus, not forgetting the severed heads proudly displayed on spears. They passed many cities and villages. Yazids army told the people, of each city, that those women and children are among foreigners who were outlawed and refused to submit to the Caliph Yazid. This instilled fear and terror in the hearts of each of these communities, not much unlike the tactics of Saddam (present day). Not once did they reveal the truth, that they were pulling along, torturing, humiliating the family of the Prophet. In Damascus Yazid placed them in chains and threw them in his dungeon. Many of the children died from starvation, diseases and beatings during this time. Sukayna (also known as Ruqayya by some), the beloved little daughter of Imam Hussein, approximately 4 to 6 years of age, while in the dungeon in Damascus cried and cried and become very ill and somber after all that she had gone through. Her Aunt Zainab and Lady Rubab, her mother, tried to console her. It is said that the grief and brutal torment she endured inevitably killed her.  However, some tell the story of her getting sight of her fathers severed head as it was given to her cruelly as a prank by some from Yazid's army, which put her into a state of shock and death soon followed.   *The shrine in the bazaar (where the Prison of the Ahlul Bayt is found) is often called Rukaya's tomb when in fact that is Sakina's (Sukayna). Her name meaning "the peace of a chest" because she would sleep on her father's chest, Imam Hussein, each night. In the palace of the tyrant! Imam Hussein is now remembered as a symbol of freedom and dignity against tyranny. Imam's Sermon on the Night of Ashura The Imam commenced his speech thus: "I thank Allah to the best of my ability and praise Him during the time of weal and woe. a Lord! I thank You because You have honored us by means of Prophethoodt taught us the Qur'an, made us comprehend the religion and its commandments, granted us eyes, ears and hearts; kept us free from the pollution of polytheism and then enabled us to thank You for Your blessings. It is a fact that I am not aware of any companions more faithful and honest than my companions, and any relatives more righteous and kind than my relatives. May Allah grant all of you a good reward. I think that the day of our fighting with this army has arrived. I permit all of you to go away. You are free to depart without any restriction and should take advantage of the darkness of night".  This speech has been quoted by Shaykh Mufid, Tabari, Abul Faraj and Ibn Athir, but none of them has written that any companion of the Imam went away on this occasion. Those who had to go had already departed on the way when the news about the martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqil, Hani, Qays bin Mashar and Abdullah bin Yaqtar was received. The Divine Hand had already driven away the cowardly persons from the Holy Imam. The great historians have recorded nothing after the Imam's speech of the Āshura night except the self-sacrifice and steadfastness of the companions of the Imam. All of them write that when the Imam finished his speech and he insisted that they should leave him and escape trouble, his brothers, sons, nephews (sons of his brothers) and the sons of Abdullah bin Ja'far led by Abbas bin Ali said first of all with one voice: "Should we go away to live after you? We pray to Allah that the time may not come when you may be killed and we may remain alive".  Then the Imam turned to the descendants of Aqil and said: "O children of Aqil! It is sufficient that Muslim has been killed. You are now free to go away". They replied: "Allah be praised! If we leave our chief and the best of our cousins and go away and do not fight along with him with arrows, spears and swords and do not know how he and his friends have fared with the enemy, what will the people say? We swear by Allah that we shall do no such thing. On the contrary we shall sacrifice the lives and property of our family in the path of Allah and render you assistance, and shall fight along with you so that we may also acquire the honor of martyrdom. What a shame to live the life which is without you!"  Then Muslim bin Awsaja got on his feet and said: "If we withdraw our support from you and leave you alone what excuse shall we put forward before Allah? I swear by Allah that I shall not go away and shall not leave you. I shall thrust my spear in the chest of your enemies and shall quench the thirst of my sword with their blood as far as possible. And when there are no arms left in my hand to fight with, I shall shower stones upon them. By Allah we shall not leave you, so that Allah may see that in the absence of His Prophet we have honored the rights of his son. By Allah, even if I come to know that I shall be killed and then burnt in fire and shall be brought to life again and eventually my ashes will be scattered in the air and I die and become alive in this way seventy times, even then I shall not leave you till I lay down my life for your sake. Then why should I not do so when I am going to be killed only once and will thereafter be honored, happy and exalted, for ever".  When the speech of Muslim bin Awsaja came to an end, Zuhayr bin Qayn Bajali stood up. He was the same man, who was at one time an enemy of Imam Husayn, remained away from him on the route to Iraq, and did not at all wish to meet him. Allah, however, willed that Zuhayr should meet martyrdom in His path in the company of Imam Husayn so that he might be honored for ever and his good and glorious name should illuminate the history of the tragedy of Āshura. He commenced his speech thus: "By Allah, I wish that I am killed and then brought to life and then killed once again and this act should be repeated a thousand times and this becomes the means of Allah protecting you and the young men of your family, and all of you remain alive".  Others also expressed similar views. The Imam invoked Divine blessings for them and returned to his tent.  Imam Sajjad says: "During the night preceding the day on which my father was martyred I was ill and my aunt Zaynab was nursing me. My father had at that time retired into his own tent and only Jaun bin Jaun, the former slave of Abuzar Ghifari was with him. Jaun was setting my father's sword right and my father was reciting some couplets. He repeated these poetic verses twice or thrice and I understood what he was saying and what he meant by it. By reciting these verses he referred to the inconstancy and unkindness of the world, which at times smiles like a kind friend, and enchants the people with its pleasing countenance and one feels that the circumstances will always be favorable. However, it suddenly changes its attitude and becomes unkind and unfaithful. It makes bitter with its poison the life which had once been sweet like honey. It drives away the friends, about whom one thinks that they would remain friendly for ever and boasts of their friendship and devotion when the circumstances are favorable; rather it makes most of those friends stand before one in the shape of blood-thirsty and war-like enemies.  N o one knows what is going to happen tomorrow, and when he is going to be deprived of the glory, strength and security which has been bestowed upon him. Who is the person, who has not lost the game during his life, and where is the powerful man, whose strength has not been damaged by the vicissitudes of events?  By reciting these verses the Imam meant to say that on the following day many magnanimous persons would meet martyrdom. It is not possible for any person to make someone else take his place to face the events of time. The end of the matter is in the hands of Allah. Every living being must traverse this path. It was not only he and his companions who were faced that day with the unfavorable time. On the contrary the world at one time assumes the same countenance against everyone.  The fourth Imam says: "I understood that my father meant to inform us of his martyrdom, and tears almost choked me, but I controlled myself. I realized that a calamity was about to fall. However, my aunt Zaynab also heard what I had heard, and as she was a woman, and the women are tender-hearted by nature, and lose patience, she could not control herself. She got up suddenly and went before her brother without wearing a veil and said: "Oh! That I should become brotherless! I wish that I had died earlier. O successor of the deceased and O the refuge of the survivors! It is today that I am going to be left without mother, father and brother". On seeing his sister in a distressed condition Imam Husayn said: "Sister! Be patient lest Satan should make you lose your self-control".  It may be said that these words of the Imam were a lesson for his sister which prepared her to face the difficult situations in Kufa and Damascus later. It was Zaynab who had to assume the leadership of this movement from the time of the Imam's martyrdom till the return of Ahlul Bayt to Madina, and by means of this lesson the Imam was entrusting this Divine trust to her. The Imam said: "Dear sister! Be patient lest Satan should make you lose your self-control". In other words he said: 'Recognize yourself and do not forget your personality and the importance which you enjoy in this great movement. The task which you have to perform is not easier than that which I can perform, and you can discharge your duty only by means of greatness of soul and spirituality which you have acquired and inherited from your parents, Ali and Fatima. If you lose patience today because you have received a hint that your brother will be martyred or you have heard some touching verses, how will you endure the events of tomorrow? At the same time how will you be able to deliver speeches in the bazaars of Kufa and the Islamic capital (i.e. Damascus) with perfect composure, and say what remains to be said, and bring to light what is hidden, and disclose the deceitful acts of the enemies of Ahlul Bayt and apprise the people of true facts in the center of the caliphate and government of the descendants of Abu Sufyan, and frustrate their unjust propaganda by delivering speeches?'  The Imam in his brief speech gave a significant lesson to his sister. Tears came in his eyes and he said: "Sister! What am I to do? You can see with what condition I am faced and what a large army has gathered to kill me". Zaynab also uttered some touching words and became unconscious.   Sermon of Lady Zaynab in the court of Yazid Now we propose to study the sermon of lady Zaynab which she delivered in the court of Yazid and which is recorded in a book written in the third century A.H. [21]  Yazid recited the blasphemous poetic verses of Abdullah bin Zab'ari Sahmi which he had composed while he was an unbeliever and also added some poetic verses of his own and said openly that he wanted to take revenge upon the descendants of Muhammad because Muhammad and his companions had killed his polytheist ancestors. Zaynab, the daughter of Ali rose and began speaking. She added a new chapter to the history of the Caliphate of Yazid which covered a period of three years and a few months, and said: "O Yazid! Allah and His Prophet have said that committing sins and considering the signs of Allah to be false is ridiculing them", i.e. deny the sign of Allah today and hold them in derision and have become happy, and recite poetic verses on account of the martyrdom of the children of the Holy Prophet just as the polytheists of Makkah became happy and sang songs because of the martyrdom of some Muslims in the Battle of Uhud, and talk about taking revenge upon the Holy Prophet. This is how you become like them and how you have reached this stage? You have reached this stage because you have committed too many sins. Whoever treads the path of sin and persists in committing sins will, according to the verdict of the Qur'an, deny the signs of Allah one day and eventually will ridicule them and then deserve Divine punishment.  She added: "O Yazid! Do you think that we have become humble and despicable owing to the martyrdom of our people and our own captivity? As you have blocked all the paths for us, and we have been made captives and are being taken from one place to another, do you think that Allah has taken away his blessings from us? Do you think that by killing the godly persons you have become great and respectable and the Almighty looks at you with special grace and kindness? For this reason and on account of this wrong thinking you have become elated and arrogant. You have become boastful because you have seen that the matters have taken a turn in your favour. You have, however, forgotten what Allah says: The disbelievers must not think that Our respite is for their good We only give them time to let them increase their sins. For them there will be a humiliating torment." (Surah Ale Imran, 3: 178)  Then lady Zaynab reminded Yazid that on the day of the conquest of Makkah which took place in 8 A.H. the Holy Prophet did favor to all the men and women of Makkah and set them free. Yazid himself was a descendant of those very freed persons. His father Mu'awiya, his grandfather Abu Sufyan and Mu'awiya's mother were among those who were set free at the time of the conquest of Makkah. on that day the Holy Prophet very magnanimously set all of them free irrespective of what they had done in the past and said: "Go, for all of you are free".  In the second part of her speech the daughter of Imam Ali made the conquest of Makkah her topic and said: "O son of the freed ones! Is it justice that you keep your women and slave-girls in seclusion but have made the helpless daughters of the Holy Prophet ride on swift camels and given them in the hands of their enemies so that they may take them from one city to another".  Then she said: "Why shouldn't Yazid be spiteful against us, it is he, who looks at us with hostility. You say with perfect intrepidity and without imagining that you are committing a sin: 'I wish that my ancestors who were killed in Badr had been present here today'. Then you strike Imam Husayn in his teeth with a stick in your hand! Why shouldn't you be like this, although you have done what you wanted to do and have pulled out the roots of piety and virtue! You have shed the blood of the sons of the Holy Prophet and have hidden the brilliant stars on the earth from amongst the descendants of Abdul Muttalib under the clouds of oppression and injustice. However, you shall go before Allah soon. You shall meet your ancestors and shall also be taken to their place. At that time you will wish that you had been blind and dumb and had not said that it was a day of rejoicing for your ancestors".  At this stage the daughter of Imam Ali prayed to Allah and said: "O Lord! Procure our right and take revenge upon those who have oppressed us". Then she turned to Yazid and said: "By Allah you have pulled off your skin and cut off your flesh. You will soon go before the Prophet of Allah and will see with your own eyes that his children are in Paradise. It will be the day when Allah will deliver the descendants of the Holy Prophet from the state of being scattered and will bring all of them together in Paradise. This is the promise which Allah has made in the Holy Qur'an. He says: Do not think of those who are slain for the cause of Allah as dead. They are alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him. (Surah Ale Imran, 3: 169)  O Yazid! On the day when Allah will be the Judge and Muhammad will be the petitioner, and your limbs will give evidence against you, your father, who made you the ruler of the Muslims, will receive His punishment. On that day it will become known what reward the oppressors earn, whose position is worse and whose party is more humble. O enemy of Allah and O son of the enemy of Allah! I swear by Allah that I consider you to be humble and not fit even to be reprimanded and reproached. But what am I to do? Our eyes are shedding tears, our hearts are burning, and our martyrs cannot come to life by our reprimanding and reproaching you. My Husayn has been killed and the partisans of Satan are taking us to the fools so that they may get their reward for insulting Allah. Our blood is dripping from their hands and our flesh is falling down from their mouths. The sacred bodies of the martyrs have been placed at the disposal of the wolves and other carnivorous animals of the jungle. If you have gained something today by shedding blood, you will certainly be a loser on the Day of Judgment. On that day nothing but your deeds will count. On that day you will curse Ibn Marjāna and he will curse you. On that day you and your followers will quarrel with one another by the side of the Divine scale of Justice. On that day you will see that the best provision which your father made for you was that he enabled you to kill the children of the Prophet of Allah. I swear by Allah that I do not fear anyone except Him and do not complain to anyone else. You may employ your deceit and cunning efforts, but I swear by Allah that the shame and disgrace which you have earned by the treatment meted out to us cannot be eradicated". The daughter of Fatima Zahra ended her speech with offering thanks to Allah. She said: "I thank Allah Who has concluded the task of the chiefs of the youths of Paradise with prosperity and forgiveness and accommodated them in Paradise. I pray to Allah that He may elevate their ranks and favor them more with His kindness, for Allah is Omnipotent".  Notes  [21] Balāghatun Nisa', Abul Fazl Ahmad bin Abi Tahir, (208- 280 A.H.).