علي بن الحسين الأصغر

I asked Ja`far b. Muhammad b. `Ali b. al-Husayn (as) and said: Tell me about the killing of the son of the Messenger of Allah (s). So, he said: My father narrated to me from his father. He said: When death came to Mu`awiya, he called for his son Yazid (la), sat him down before him, and said to him: “O my son! I have weakened the difficult necks for you, and I have steadied the lands for you, and I have given the kingdom and everything therein to you to enjoy. I fear for you from three persons who may oppose you in their effort: `Abdullah b. `Umar b. al-Khattab, `Abdullah b. al-Zubayr, and al-Husayn b. `Ali. As for `Abdullah b. `Umar, he is with you, so stick to him and do not neglect him. As for `Abdullah b. al-Zubayr, if you overcome him, then cut him apart piece by piece, for he will attack you as a lion attacks his prey; and he will trick you as a fox tricks a dog. As for al-Husayn, I have come to recognize his omen from the Messenger of Allah; and he is from the flesh and blood of the Messenger of Allah. I have come to know that the people of Iraq will assuredly bring him to them, then betray him and lose him. If you overcome him, then recognize his right and his status in relation to the Messenger of Allah. Do not punish him for his actions, for we are related to him by blood. Beware of harming him or having him see anything distasteful from you.” He said: When Mu`awiya perished, and the authority went to Yazid (la) after him, he sent his accomplice to the City of the Messenger of Allah (s) – and it was his uncle, `Utba b. Abi Sufyan. So, he went to Medina while Marwan b. al-Hakam, an accomplice of Mu`awiya, was overseeing it [in governance]. `Utba removed him from his station and seated himself therein so that he may fulfill the order of Yazid. Marwan fled, and he could not capture him. `Utba sent for al-Husayn b. `Ali (as) and said: “Surely, the commander of the faithful has ordered you to pledge allegiance to him.” So, al-Husayn (as) said: “O `Utba! You know that I am [from] the Ahl al-Bayt of nobility, the foundation of the Message, and the Banners of Truth – which Allah has placed in our hearts and put upon our tongues so that we may speak by it by the permission of Allah. I have heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say: ‘Surely, the caliphate is forbidden from the descendants of Abi Sufyan’, so how could I pledge allegiance to the people of a house that the Messenger of Allah said this regarding?” So, when `Utba heard this, he called for a scribe and wrote: “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful. To the servant of Allah, Yazid, the commander of the faithful; from `Utba b. Abi Sufyan. As for what comes after: Surely, al-Husayn b. `Ali does not see that you are fit for the caliphate or for a pledge of allegiance. So, [give me] your opinion regarding his affair. Peace.” When the letter reached Yazid (la), he wrote a reply to `Utba: “As for what comes after: When you receive this letter, hasten in writing to me, and list in your letter to me all those who are loyal to me and those who have betrayed me. With your response, send the head of al-Husayn b. `Ali.” So, al-Husayn (as) was told about that, and he thought about leaving the Hijaz for Iraq. When night fell, he went to the Mosque of the Prophet (s) to bid farewell to the grave. When he reached the grave, a light dazzled from the grave, so he returned to his place. On the second night, he went to bid farewell to the grave. So, he stood in prayer and prolonged it. He became sleepy in prostration, The Prophet (s) came to him in his dream, and he took al-Husayn (as) and embraced him. With his eyes weeping, he said: “May my father be sacrificed for you! It is as though I see you, covered by your own blood, between a group from this Nation who hope for my intercession. They will not see anything from the mercy of Allah. O my son! You are heading toward your father, your mother, and your brother, and they miss you. For you, there are ranks in Paradise that cannot be attained except through martyrdom.” So, al-Husayn (as) woke from his sleep weeping. He went to his household, told them about the dream and bid them farewell. He set out on a caravan and took his brothers, his daughters, and his nephew al-Qasim b. al-Hasan b. `Ali (as), alongside twenty-one men from his companions and his Ahl al-Bayt, among whom were Abu Bakr b. `Ali, Muhammad b. `Ali, `Uthman b. `Ali, al-`Abbas b. `Ali, `Abdullah b. Muslim b. `Aqil, `Ali b. al-Husayn al-Akbar, `Ali b. and al-Husayn al-Asghar. `Abdullah b. `Umar heard about his departure, so he followed him on his journey, quickly running behind him, and found him in one of the houses; so, he said: “Where do you want to go, O son of the Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Iraq.” He said: “Do not rush. Return to the Sanctuary of your grandfather.” So, al-Husayn (as) refused. When Ibn `Umar saw his refusal, he said: “O Aba `Abdillah! Show me where the Messenger of Allah (s) would kiss you.” So, al-Husayn (as) revealed his neck, and Ibn `Umar kissed it three times, weeping and saying: “May Allah be with you, O Aba `Abdillah, for this face of yours will be killed.” So, al-Husayn (as) and his companions set out. When they disembarked in al-Tha`labiyya, a man named Bishr b. Ghalib came to him and said: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! Inform me about the saying of Allah, “That Day, we will summon every group of people with their Imam” (17:71). He said: An Imam that calls to guidance and is answered in that, and an Imam that calls to misguidance and is answered in that – this one is in Paradise, and that one is in the Fire. That is His saying, “A party in Paradise and a party in the Blaze” (42:7). Then, he set out and disembarked in al-`Athib. He took a nap there, but he awoke from his nap weeping. His son said to him: “What makes you weep, my father?” So, he said: “O my son! It is a moment in which a dream cannot be belied, for a person offered to me in my dream, saying: ‘Hasten in the journey, and the journey will take you to Paradise.’” Then, he set out until he disembarked in al-Rahima. A man from Kufa named Aba Haram came to him and said: “O son of the Prophet! What has made you leave Medina?” So, he said: “Beware, O Aba Haram. When they insulted my honour, I was patient. When they demanded my wealth, I was patient. When they demanded my blood, I fled. Allah has willed that they will kill me. Then, Allah will clothe them in an encompassing humiliation and a severing sword; and He will have those who humiliate them rule over them.” He said: `Ubaydullah b. Ziyad (la) was informed of the news, and that al-Husayn (as) disembarked in al-Rahima. So, he sent al-Hurr b. Yazid with a thousand knights to him. Al-Hurr said: “When I left my home and headed toward al-Husayn (as), I was called to three times: ‘O Hurr! [I give you] glad tidings of Paradise.’ I turned around and I did not see anyone. So, I said: ‘May the mother of al-Hurr be saddened! He will go out to fight the son of the Messenger of Allah (s), yet he is given glad tidings of Paradise!’” So, he reached him at Dhuhr prayer. Al-Husayn (as) ordered his son to call the adhan and the iqama. Then, al-Husayn (as) stood and led the two camps in prayer. When he completed the prayer, al-Hurr b. Yazid sprung to him and said: “Peace be unto you, O son of the Messenger of Allah, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.” So, al-Husayn (as) said: “And also with you. Who are you, O servant of Allah?” So, he said: “I am al-Hurr b. Yazid.” So, he said: “O Hurr! Are you against us or for us?” So, al-Hurr said: “By Allah! O son of the Messenger of Allah, I was sent to fight you. I seek refuge in Allah from being resurrected from my grave with my forelock chained to my feet and my hands chained to my neck; being thrown face-first into the Fire. O son of the Messenger of Allah! Where are you going? Return to the Sanctuary of your grandfather, for you will be killed.” So, al-Husayn (as) said: “I will pass, for there is no shame in death for a youth, if his intention is true, and he strives in submission, and he relieves righteous men through [sacrificing] his own soul, separating from the wretched and opposing the criminal. If I die, I will not regret, and if I live, I will not be blamed. It is enough humiliation and belittlement to die.” Then, al-Husayn (as) set out until he disembarked in al-Qatqatana. He found a pavilion set up, so he said: “Who does this pavilion belong to?” So, it was said: “It belongs to `Ubaydullah b. al-Hurr al-Ju`fi.” So, al-Husayn (as) sent for him and said: “O man! You are a sinner and you are in error. Allah will punish you for what you have done if you do not repent to Allah in this very moment and support me; so that my grandfather may be your intercessor before Allah.” So, he said: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! By Allah, if I were to support you, I would be the first to be killed before you. However, this is my horse, so take it for yourself, for, by Allah, I have never ridden it except that I achieved what I wanted with it, so take it.” So, al-Husayn (as) turned his face away from him, then said: “We do not need you nor your horse. I do not take the misguided ones as supporters. Leave, and do not be with us nor against us. Surely, whoever hears our cries – the Ahl al-Bayt – yet does not come to our aid, Allah will throw him face-first into the Fire of Hell.” Then, he set out until he disembarked in Karbala’, so he said: “What place is this?” So, it was said: “This is Karbala’, O son of the Messenger of Allah.” So, he said: This, by Allah, is a day of sorrow and calamity (karb wa bala’). This is the place where our blood will be shed and where our women will be encroached.” Then, `Ubaydullah b. Ziyad came with his army until he garrisoned the river. He sent a man named `Umar b. Sa`d to al-Husayn (as), who was the general of four thousand knights. `Abdullah b. al-Hussayn al-Tamimi came with one thousand knights, followed by Shabath b. Rab`i with one thousand knights as well as Muhammad b. al-Ash`ath b. Qays al-Kindi with one thousand knights. `Umar b. Sa`d had written for the people that they should listen to him and obey him. So, `Ubaydullah b. Ziyad was informed that `Umar b. Sa`d was toiling with al-Husayn (as), speaking to him; and that he would hate to fight him. So, he sent Shimr b. Dhil Jawshan with four thousand knights with him and wrote to `Umar b. Sa`d: “Once you receive this letter, then do not delay in dealing with al-Husayn b. `Ali. Take advantage of his forbearance and cut the water off from him just as the water was cut off for `Uthman on the Day of the Abode.” When the letter reached `Umar b. Sa`d (la), he ordered his caller to call: “Surely, we have only given al-Husayn and his companions this day of theirs.” The news of that reached al-Husayn (as) and his companions, so al-Husayn (as) stood and delivered a sermon to his companions, saying: “O Allah! Surely, I know not of a household that is more righteous, more pristine, and more pure than my household; nor of a company better than my companions. You see what has befallen me. You are excused of your allegiance to me – I have no allegiance upon your necks, nor are you responsible in protecting me. This night has befallen you, so take full advantage of it and disperse in its darkness, for surely, the people only want me. If they overcome me, they will cease in seeking others.” So, `Abdullah b. Muslim b. `Aqil b. Abi Talib went to him and said: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! What would the people say to us if we let down our elder, our grand one, our Master, the son of the Master of Uncles, and the son of our Prophet, the Master of Prophets, without clashing swords alongside him and without throwing spears in fighting alongside him?! No, by Allah, we will not leave you. We will give our lives for your life and our blood for your blood, for once we do that, then we will have fulfilled our responsibility and completed our duty.” A man named Zuhayr b. al-Qayn al-Bajali went to him and said: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! I wish I were killed [for you], then resurrected, then killed, then resurrected, then killed, then resurrected for you and those with you one hundred times so that Allah could defend you, the Ahl al-Bayt, through me.” So, he said to him and his companions: “May you be given goodness.” Then, al-Husayn (as) ordered for a trench to be dug around his garrison and filled with wood. Then, he sent his son `Ali (as) with thirty knights and twenty men to fetch water, for they were under extreme thirst. Al-Husayn (as) recited, saying: “O time, woe to a friend like you! How many are those around the world that seek and accompany you that are then killed! Time cannot be persuaded to be changed, for surely, that matter is for the Majestic, Every living person will travel upon my path (toward death).” Then, he said to his companions: “Stand and drink water, for it will be your last time. Perform ablution, bathe, and wash your clothes, for they will be your shrouds.” Then, he led them in Fajr prayer and readied them for war. He called for the trench to be set ablaze so that the people could only fight from one flank. A horseman named Ibn Abi Juwayriyya al-Mazani came forth from the garrison of `Umar b. Sa`d came forth. When he looked to the fire, he clasped his hands and called out: “O Husayn and companions of Husayn! I give you tidings of the Fire, for you have hastened it in this world!” So, al-Husayn (as) said: “Who is the man?” So, it was said: “Ibn Abi Juwayriyya al-Mazani.” So, al-Husayn (as) said: “O Allah! Let him taste the punishment of the Fire in this world.” So, his horse tossed him into that fire, and he was burned in it. Then, another man came forth from the garrison of `Umar b. Sa`d named Tamim b. Hussayn al-Fazari. He called out: “O Husayn and companions of Husayn! Do you not see the crashing waves of the water of the Euphrates? By Allah, you will not taste one drop of it until you taste death whilst wishing for it.” So, al-Husayn (as) said: “Who is this man?” So, it was said: Tamim b. Hussayn. So, al-Husayn (as) said: “Him and his father are from the people of the Fire. O Allah, kill him whilst he is thirsty on this day.” So, he was choked by thirst until he fell off his horse. Then, the horse trampled him with its hooves, and he died. Then, another man came forth from the garrison of `Umar b. Sa`d named Muhammad b. Ash`ath b. Qays al-Kindi. So, he said: “O Husayn son of Fatima! What sanctity do you have from the Messenger of Allah that others do not?” So, al-Husayn recited this verse: “Surely, Allah has chosen Adam, Noah, the Family of Ibrahim and the Family of `Imran over the worlds. Descendants, one of the other.” (3:33-34) Then, he said: “By Allah, surely, Muhammad is from the Family of Ibrahim, and surely, the guided progeny is from the Family of Muhammad. Who is this man?” So, it was said: “Muhammad b. Ash`ath b. Qays al-Kindi.” So, al-Husayn (as) raised his head to the sky and said: “O Allah! Show Muhammad b. Ash`ath humiliation on this day, and do not ever give him glory after this day.” Then, he (al-Kindi) left the garrison to defecate, and Allah caused a scorpion to sting him, and he died naked. Thirst began to overtake al-Husayn (as) and his companions. So, a man from his Shi`a named Burayr b. Khudayr al-Hamadani came to him – Ibrahim b. `Abdullah (sic), the narrator of the hadith, said: He was the uncle of Abi Ishaq al-Hamadani – and he said: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! Do you permit me to go to them so that I may speak to them?” So, he permitted him to go to them. So, he said: “O people! Surely, Allah raised Muhammad (s) in truth as a bringer of glad tidings, a warner, a caller to Allah by His permission, and an illuminating lamp. This water of the Euphrates receives dark pigs and dogs, and it flows between him and his son.” So, they said: “O Burayr! You have spoken too many words – enough, for, by Allah, al-Husayn will thirst just as others thirsted before him.” So, al-Husayn (as) said: “Sit down, O Burayr.” So, al-Husayn stood, leaning on his sword, and called at the top of his lungs: “I adjure you by Allah, do you recognize me?” They said: “Yes. You are the son of the Messenger of Allah and his offspring.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that my grandfather is the Messenger of Allah (s)?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that my mother is Fatima the daughter of Muhammad (s)?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that my father is `Ali b. Abi Talib (as)?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that my grandmother Khadija the daughter of Khuwaylid was the first woman to convert to Islam in this Nation?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that the Master of Martyrs Hamza is the uncle of my father?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that Ja`far who flies in Paradise is my uncle?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that this sword that I am leaning on is the sword of the Messenger of Allah (s)?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that this turban that I am wearing is the turban of the Messenger of Allah (s)?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “I adjure you by Allah, do you know that `Ali was the first of the people to convert to Islam, the most knowledgeable of them, the greatest of them in forbearance; and that he is the Master of every believing man and woman?” They said: “O Allah, yes.” He said: “So by what do you make my blood permissible when my father will be the one feeding people from the Pond just as a thirsty camel is fed with water, while the Banner of Praise is in the hand of my grandfather on the Day of Resurrection?” They said: “We know all of that, and we will not leave you until you taste death while you are thirsty.” So, al-Husayn (as) grasped the end of his beard – and he was fifty-seven years old on that day – and said: “Allah’s anger intensified against the Jews when they said that `Uzayr was the son of Allah. Allah’s anger intensified against the Christians when they said that the Messiah was the son of Allah. Allah’s anger intensified against the Zoroastrians when they worshiped the Fire beside Allah. Allah’s anger intensified against a people that killed their prophet. Allah’s anger will be intensified against this group that wants to kill the son of their Prophet.” He said: So, al-Hurr b. Yazid went onto his horse, and deserted the garrison of `Umar b. Sa`d (la) for the garrison of al-Husayn (as). With his hand upon his head, he said: “O Allah! I beseech You, so forgive me, for I have terrorized the hearts of Your friends and the children of Your Prophet. O son of the Messenger of Allah! Has my repentance been accepted?” He said: “Yes, Allah has forgiven you.” He said: “O son of the Messenger of Allah! Do you permit me to fight on your behalf?” So, he granted him permission. He set out, saying: “I will strike your necks with the sword For the best person to descend from the land of Khayf.” So, he killed eighteen men, and then was killed. So, al-Husayn (as) came to him while he was bleeding and said: “Bravo, bravo, O Hurr. You are free (hurr), just as you have been named, in this world and in the Hereafter.” Then, al-Husayn (as) recited: “Blessed is Hurr, the freeman of Bani Riyah, Blessed is Hurr, [among the] exchange of spears, Blessed is Hurr, for when Husayn called out, He generously offered himself at dawn.” Then, Zuhayr b. al-Qayn al-Bajali set out after him, and he addressed al-Husayn (as), saying: “Today, we will meet your grandfather, the Prophet, And Hasan, and the one pleasing [to Allah] – `Ali.” So, he killed nineteen men among them. Then, he was struck while saying: “I am Zuhayr, and I am the son of al-Qayn, I kill you with the sword on behalf of Husayn.” Then, Habib b. Mathahir al-Asadi (ra) set out after him, saying: “I am Habib, and my father is Mathahir, We are more pristine and more pure than you, For we support the best of people.” When he mentioned this, he killed thirty-one men among them. Then, he (ra) was killed. Then, `Abdullah b. Abi `Urwa al-Ghifari set out after him, saying: “I know the right of Bani Ghifar, I have sought revolt in al-Mashrafi where we learned to throw spears.” So, he killed twenty men among them. Then, he (rh) was killed. Then, Burayr b. Khudayr al-Hamadani set out after him; and he was the most well-read from the people of his time. He was saying: “I am Burayr and my father is Khudayr, No goodness to those who have no good in them.” So, he killed thirty men among them. Then, he (ra) was killed. Then, Malik b. Anas al-Kahili set out after him, saying: “… O people! Be like lions guarding the Family of `Ali, the Shi`a of the Beneficent, And the Family of Harb are the Shi`a of Satan.” So, he killed eighteen men among them. Then, he (ra) was killed. Then, Ziyad b. Mahasir al-Kindi set out after him. He went toward them, reciting and saying: “I am Ziyad, and my father is Mahasir, Braver than a lion of the den. O Lord! I am a supporter of al-Husayn, And I abandon and flee from Ibn Sa`d.” So, he killed nine among them. Then, he (ra) was killed. Then, Wahb b. Wahb set out after him. He was a Christian, and him and his mother converted to Islam at the hands of al-Husayn (as). They followed him to Karbala’. He road a horse and carried a wooden staff. He fought and killed seven or eight people; then he was captured. He was brought to `Umar b Sa`d (la), who called for his neck to be struck. So, his neck was struck, and he was thrown to the garrison of al-Husayn (as). His mother took his sword and set out. So, al-Husayn (as) said to her: “O Umm Wahb! Be seated, for Allah uplifted the responsibility of jihad from women. Your son is with my grandfather Muhammad (s) in Paradise.” Then, Hilal b. Hajjaj set out after him. He was saying: “Throw [spears] high in the air, For the sorrow of the soul does not benefit it.” He killed thirteen men among them. Then, he (ra) was killed. `Abdullah b. Muslim b. `Aqil b. Abi Talib set out after him. He recited and said: “I vowed that I would not be killed except that I would be free, I found death to be something bitter, but I would hate to flee in cowardice from it, Surely, the coward is he who disobeys and flees.” He killed three among them. Then, he (ra) was killed. `Ali b. al-Husayn al-Asghar (as) set out after him. When he set out to them, tears filled the eyes of al-Husayn (as), so he said: “O Allah! Be the witness over them, for the son of Your Messenger has set out to them – the one whose face and appearance resembles him most out of all the people.” He set out, saying: “I am `Ali b. al-Husayn b. `Ali, We and the House of Allah have more right to the Prophet. Do you not see how I protect my father?” So, he killed ten among them. Then, he returned to his father and said: “O father! Thirst!” So, al-Husayn (as) said: “Be patient, my son. Your grandfather will feed you water with a fulfilling cup.” So, he returned and fought until he killed forty-four men. Then, he (s) was killed. Then, al-Qasim b. al-Hasan b. `Ali b. Abi Talib (as) set out after him, saying: “Do not panic, O soul, for everything will be annihilated, Today, you will be granted Paradise.” He killed three among them. Then, he (ra) was thrown off his horse. Al-Husayn (as) looked right and left and did not see anyone remaining. So, he raised his head to the sky and said: “O Allah! You see what is happening to the descendants of Your Prophet.” The Banu Kilab came between him and the water. A spear was thrown, and it struck his throat. He fell off his horse. He took the spear and threw it. He tried to stop the bleeding with his hand, but blood filled his head and his beard. He was saying: “I will meet Allah oppressed and covered in my own blood.” Then, he fell upon his left cheek. The enemies of Allah – Sinan b. Anas al-Iyadi and Shimr b. Dhil Jawshan al-`Amiri (la) – came forward with men from the Levant until they stood at the head of al-Husayn (as). Some of them said to one another: “What are you waiting for? Put the man out of his misery.” So, Sinan b. Anas al-Iyadi (la) came down, took the beard of al-Husayn (as) and began striking his throat with the sword while saying: “By Allah! Surely, I saw off your head whilst knowing that you are the son of the Messenger of Allah (s) and that you have the best mother and father.” The horse of al-Husayn (as) came forward with its forelock covered in the blood of al-Husayn (as), and it began running and neighing. The daughters of the Prophet (s) heard its neighs and came out seeing the horse without a rider. So, they knew that Husayn (as) had been killed. So, Umm Kulthum bt. al-Husayn put her hand upon her head, scratching and saying: “O Muhammada! This is al-Husayn all alone, robbed of his turban and his cloak.” Sinan (la) came forward until he brought the head of al-Husayn b. `Ali (as) to `Ubaydullah b. Ziyad (la), saying: “Fill my caravan with silver and gold, Surely, I have killed the hidden king, I have killed the person with the best mother and father, And the best of them in lineage.” So, `Ubaydullah b. Ziyad said to him: “Woe to you! If you know that he is the person with the best mother and father, then why did you kill him?” So, he ordered for his neck to be struck, and Allah hastened his soul to the Fire. Then, Ibn Ziyad (la) sent for Umm Kulthum bt. al-Husayn (as) and said to her: “Praise be to Allah who had your men killed. So, how do you see what has happened to you?” So, she said: “O Ibn Ziyad! If your eye is joyed by the killing of al-Husayn (as), then [know that] the eye of his grandfather (s) is joyed by reuniting with him, as he would kiss him, kiss his lips, and carry him on his shoulders. O Ibn Ziyad! Prepare an answer for his grandfather, for he will be your adversary tomorrow.”