Tears for Kerbala

by

Liaket Dewji

Preface

This book is my attempt to present our children with traditional majaalis of twelve days of Moharram as recited for generations by Zakirs and Zakeeras.

The story of the Martyrs of Kerbala is described in more detail than one would find normally in history books of Kerbala. The events of Kerbala are described differently by different Zakirs and Zakeeras, who convey them in their individual styles. The important point to grasp is that the Martyrs of Kerbala sacrificed their lives willingly with one aim only - TO PLEASE ALLAH (S.W.T.) AND TO SAVE ISLAM. They died in battle, but by doing so they achieved the biggest victory in the history of mankind. They were victorious in saving Islam and destroying the evil way of life promoted by Yazid.

The book is written in clear and simple English so that children can understand it with ease. I also hope that the youths will find it informative too. In the introduction, I have briefly summarised the events before, on and after Ashura day. The first two majaalis describe the concept of majaalis and the arrival of Imam Husayn's caravan in Kerbala. The next ten majaalis describe in detail the way some of the martyrs were killed mercilessly on the day of Ashura.

I am grateful to Mulla Mohsin Jaffer, Mohamed and Layla Dawood, Hassanain Kara and my secretary Nicky Busby, for their help in producing this book. I am also indebted to my family for their help and patience while I was working on this project. My wife Gulzar helped me translate the Urdu recordings. My children, Ali, Zishaan and Sofia, read the draft and encouraged me that by reading the book both children and youths would understand and mourn the tragedy of Kerbala.

I hope Allah (S.W.T.) accepts this small service for it is only He who gave me the energy and will to produce this book.

Introduction

The evil seeds which lead to the tragedy of Kerbala were planted years before by Muawiya's cunning, who ruled over Muslims for twenty years.

Muawiya was an evil ruler. He was the son of Abu Sufyan and Hinda who, both, were the arch enemies of the Holy Prophet. Muawiya and his father became Muslims when they were left no alternative but to accept Islam. When Hazrat Ali became Khalifa, he dismissed Muawiya and other Governors for corruption and anti-Islamic behaviour. Soon after the death of Hazrat Ali, Muawiya, using methods of bribery and treachery, succeeded in becoming the Khalifa.

Muawiya was not interested in Islam. He only used slam for his power and glory. He broke the laws of Islam. When any saying of the Holy Prophet did not suit him, he ordered it to be struck off all records. He made up ahadith to favour him and his policies.

Muawiya hated Hazrat Ali and his family. Under his Rule, Sh'ias were put to death or thrown into prisons just because they were followers of Hazrat Ali and his family. Muawiya died in 60 A.H.

Before his death, he appointed Yazid, his son, as the next Khalifa. Yazid was even worse than his father. He was an evil ruler and openly mocked Islam. He was often drunk and sang songs which made jokes of Salaat, the Holy Prophet and his family.

The difference between Yazid and his father Muawiya, was that Muawiya used Islam for his personal glory while Yazid was determined to destroy Islam.

As soon as Yazid became Khalifa, he wrote to his Governor in Medina to ask Imam Husayn to do the impossible. He was asking the Imam to accept him as the Khalifa of Islam.

Imam Husayn could not even consider accepting such an evil man, Yazid, who openly broke the laws of Islam and was determined to destroy Islam, as the Khalifa.

It was not a matter of pride or Husayn's right to Khilafat. Accepting Yazid as a Khalifa would mean Imam approved of his way of life and this would have meant a definite end to Islam.

How can a grandson of the Holy Prophet, son of Ali and Fatemah, allow that to happen?

It was Imam's duty to defend and save Islam. He refused to accept Yazid as a Khalifa of Islam. Yazid was full of anger and planned to have the Imam killed in Medina.

By staying in Medina, Imam would have the advantage of having all his own relatives as well as the people of Medina fighting on his side.

After consultations with his family and companions, he decided to leave Medina and move to the Holy City of Mecca. Why did he leave Medina when he had 'home advantage'?

This is because he did not want to put his friends in Medina in the danger of being killed. Secondly, although Yazid may be defeated, history would look upon the battle in Medina between Yazid and Husayn as a battle for Khilafat. Even if Yazid were to be killed, the injustice, oppression and un-Islamic way of life which Muawiya and Yazid promoted would not die.

Imam Husayn's promise and mission was to destroy the way of life that these two evil men had started, to destroy Islam. By staying in Medina and fighting with Yazid he would have not achieved this. This is why he decided to leave Medina.

On 28th Rajab 60 A.H., Imam Husayn’s caravan left Medina with his family, his sisters, Bibi Zainab and Bibi Kulthoom, his brother Abbas, a few other relatives and a number of faithful companions.

On 4th Shabaan, Husayn's caravan reached Mecca. Imam had not yet made up his mind on where to go from here. For the time being he decided to stay in Mecca at least until the month of Dhul-Hajj and to perform the duty of Hajj.

To keep the sanctity and grace of the Holy Ka’aba, the bloodshed of any human life had been prohibited by the Holy Prophet. But did Yazid care about the Holy Prophet's sayings?

While in Mecca, Imam Husayn received many letters and messages from the people of Kufa persuading him to go to Kufa. Imam decided to send Hazrat Muslim lbne Aqeel, his cousin, to Kufa to study the situation there and report to Imam. As Hazrat Muslim was preparing for the journey, Imam Husayn went to him and said:

"Muslim, the whole world knows that you are one of the bravest warriors. It is just possible that seeing you in Kufa, some people may think that our intention is to fight Yazid. Take your two sons, Mohamed and Ibrahim with you. When they see you with your young children, they will know that our intentions are peaceful".

Hazrat Muslim and his two young sons left Mecca. They arrived in Kufa towards the end of Dhul-Qaad. They were received well by the people of Kufa. Thousands of people appeared before Hazrat Muslim.

They pledged their allegiance to Imam Husayn as their Imam. They wanted him to teach them the contents of the Holy Qur’an and true sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet.

People of Kufa had long suffered under Muawiya and they feared even greater suffering under Yazid. They knew that the greed for power and glory of these two men was slowly destroying the true Islam.

Hazrat Muslim reported back to Imam Husayn that most of the people in Kufa wanted him as their Imam to guide them and also advised him to come to Kufa.

Yazid had spies in Kufa. He heard from them, about invitation to Imam Husayn and the arrival of Hazrat Muslim in Kufa.

Being an evil man, Yazid was full of anger, and he replaced the Governor of Kufa with one of his own men - lbne Ziyad. Ibne Ziyad was told to arrest Muslim and kill him and do all that was necessary to suppress the Shi'as in Kufa.

lbne Ziyad was a cruel and unjust man. As soon as he arrived in Kufa, he threatened the people of Kufa with death punishment if they were found to engage in any activity against Yazid. He ordered them to surrender Hazrat Muslim to him.

On 8th Dhul-Hajj, soldiers of lbne Ziyad arrested Hazrat Muslim.

He was chained and dragged to the Court of lbne Ziyad. He then ordered Hazrat Muslim to be taken to the roof of the palace to be killed, and his body thrown to the ground.

Hazrat Muslim was dragged up the steps. He was killed and his body was thrown to the ground.

Hazrat Muslim's head was cut off and hung on the City gate to remind and scare the people of Kufa.

Hazrat Muslim's two sons, Mohammed and Ibrahim, were also arrested and killed mercilessly.

In the meantime, Imam Husayn and his companions in Mecca were preparing to perform the duty of Hajj when his friends in Mecca informed him that Yazid's men were planning to have him and his followers murdered during the Hajj. Imam Husayn did not wish the House of Allah to be turned into a battlefield. Therefore, he decided to leave Mecca without performing Hajj.

On 8th Dhul-Hajj, the very day on which Hazrat Muslim was murdered in Kufa, Imam Husayn's caravan left Mecca. Imam Husayn did not know of Hazrat Muslim's death.

The journey was made on camels and horses. The weather was extremely hot at that time of year. The Imam, his children, ladies and friends suffered great hardship during the journey.

During the journey, Imam learned of the death of Hazrat Muslim and the cruel way in which he had been killed. When Yazid came to know that Imam Husayn was heading towards Kufa, he immediately sent Hur, at the time one of his army commanders to stop the Imam from joining his followers in Kufa.

Hur, with 1,000 horsemen, met Imam Husayn and his companions at a place a few miles outside Kufa. Hur and his men forced the Imam to take the road to Kerbala which was situated on the banks of the River Euphrates (River Furaat). Imam Husayn could have fought Hur and his soldiers and forced his way into Kufa, but it was not Imam Husayn's intention to start any battle.

On 2nd Moharram, 61 A.H., the Imam, his family and his faithful companions arrived in Kerbala. Yazid's armies had already arrived in the area long before the Imam's arrival. It was a huge army consisting of thousands of soldiers. By the 7th of Moharram, Yazid's army had increased further in number. Now there were 20,000 of Yazid's soldiers surrounding Imam Husayn's 72 men from all comers. They were scattered over miles on the sands of the river bank. On the 7th of Moharram, Yazid's soldiers were told to guard the bank of the River Euphrates so that Imam Husayn, his family and companions could not take any water.

Heat was intense in the desert and hot winds blew all day. Imam's family and friends suffered without water and food for three days.

On the 10th of Moharram, 61 A.H., the battle took place. One-by-one all the Imam's men were martyred except our 4th Imam Ali Zainul Abideen who was very ill at that time and could not take part in the battle.

After the battle was over, Yazid's soldiers set fire to the Imam's tents and looted the camp. They even took chaadars away from the Holy ladies. They beat the children and took away all their belongings. They snatched and pulled away Bibi Sakina's earrings and let her little ears bleed for a long, long time.

The Shi'as hold a majlis every day for the twelve days of Moharram. We remember, cry and do matam for the brave martyrs of Kerbala.

The story of a brave martyr of Kerbala is recited on each day of the twelve days.

Thanks to Imam Husayn, his family and his faithful friends. Their great sacrifice in Kerbala, saved Islam, our great religion.

Majlis 1 Majaalis-e-Husayn

Today is the first night of Moharram - the start of a new Islamic year.

We do not greet it with merry-making, nor celebrate it by holding parties. Our hearts are filled with sadness and grief because we remember those martyrs who were killed in Kerbala.

For the next twelve days and nights, we hold Majaalis-e-Husayn to mourn the death of Imam Husayn, his family and companions.

The word 'majaalis' means seatings where people gather and sit.

In Majaalis of Moharram, we recall the events of the martydom of Imam Husayn, his family and companions, and the hardship and suffering of those in his family who survived the tragedy of Kerbala.

The first Majlis-e-Husayn was started by his sister, Bibi Zainab, as soon as they were set free by Yazid. Since then all the Imams and Shi'as have continued the Majaalis-e-Husayn regularly.

Why do we hold these Majaalis?

To thank Imam Husayn, his family and companions for the great sacrifice in Kerbala for saving us and Islam. We hold these Majaalis because we love our Imam and feel sad to hear about his hardship and suffering in Kerbala, and also to comfort and please Bibi Fatemah - Imam Husayn's mother.

Bib Fatemah comes to Majaalis-e-Husayn. Though we cannot see her, she prays for us and our families' safety. She collects our tears when we cry for Imam Husayn and his family. On the Day of Judgement she will return all those tears we have shed for her family. These tears will protect us from the Fire of Hell.

I would like you to think about what I have just said.

Examine your deeds and see if they are good enough for you to face Bibi Fatemah on the Day of Judgement. If you are not praying your wajib Namaaz regularly, how would you be able to face Bibi Fatemah on the Day of Judgement?

You have come to the Majaalis-e-Husayn because you are thankful for what Husayn did to save your religion. You cry and do matam for Husayn because you love him. If you really love someone then you surely want to please him.

How can you please Husayn if you are not praying Salaat regularly?

Majaalis-e-Husayn will continue till the Day of Judgement.

It is not because of us. We are the only means through which Allah (S.W.T.) keeps Husayn's great sacrifice alive. Husayn died saving Allah's religion and Allah (S.W.T.) has promised to keep alive Husayn's name and his great sacrifice, till the Day of Judgement.

Majaalis-e-Husayn! Matam-e-Husayn!

Enemies of Islam can never stop majaalis and matam, even if they try thousands of times to do so.

On the 1st of Moharram, Imam Husayn's caravan had reached just outside Kerbala. They pitched their tents for the night.

Husayn and his sister, Zainab, were standing talking outside Husayn's tent.

Together they both sighted the moon of 1st of Moharram.

Tears flowed from Husayn's eyes.

Zainab grew worried and asked her brother:

"My dearest brother Husayn, why are there tears in your eyes?"

"Zainab! My sister Zainab! Please pray for me that I keep my promise to Allah (S.W.T.). Pray, my sister, that I succeed in completing my mission to save Islam. Zainab! Pray for me that I do not hesitate in giving up my life for Islam."

Husayn was not crying because he was worried about dying. Husayn did not ask his sister to pray to Allah (S.W.T.) to save his life. All he was concerned about was saving us and Islam.

Bibi Zainab's eyes were filled with tears when she heard what Husayn asked her to do.

"My beloved sister Zainab! Don't cry! You will have to perform a greater duty after my death. Be brave and patient!" Bibi Zainab went to her tent. Ali Akber joined his father, Husayn.

"My son, Ali Akber! I saw a dream last night. I saw a group of people heading for a place where death was waiting for them. I saw them all killed, one-by-one."

"Father! I know these people. Those people are us. But, tell me father, are we on the right path?"

"Yes, my son Akber, yes We are on the right path."

"Then let us not worry? Father, if we are on the right path, then let us die happily. We should continue our journey and greet our death with a smile."

"I am proud of you, my son Akber!"

Majlis 2 Arrival in Kerbala

Today is the 2nd night of Moharram.

On the 2nd day of Moharram, Husayn's caravan reached Kerbala. Thousands of Yazid's soldiers were already there, having arrived long before the Imam.

The small tribe living in Kerbala gathered around Husayn's caravan. Imam Husayn enquired about the price of the land in Kerbala. He then bought the entire land.

Then, he first spoke to the menfolk of the tribe.

"O, menfolk of Kerbala! We have not come here to fight. Yazid's soldiers will fight with us and we will be killed. They will not bury our bodies and our bodies will be left to the wild animals of the desert. I request a favour from you. Please, bury our bodies.

Imam Husayn then turned to the womenfolk of the tribe.

"Ladies of Kerbala! Your menfolk, out of fear of Yazid's soldiers might not bury our bodies. Ladies! When your men are working in the fields, please come out of your houses and bury our bodies.

Somehow Imam Husayn did not feel the men nor the women would carry out his request.

Sadly, he turned to the children who had gathered and spoke gently to them.

Children! If your father or your mother are unable to bury us, I beg you to throw a fistful of sand over our bodies while you are playing in the fields. That way, children, our bodies will slowly get buried."

Then, he turned to everyone who had gathered around and spoke again.

"My second request to you all is to look after the people who will come to visit our graves after our death. They will be my guests so please look after them and feed them for three days."

Imam then ordered the tents to be pitched by the river. It was very hot in Kerbala and the supply of water was absolutely essential for survival.

Abbas, commander of Husayn's army, with his men, started to pitch the tents by the river. The commanders of Yazid's army ordered their men to pull out Husayn's tents. They stopped Husayn's tents from being pitched by the river.

Abbas became very angry. He pulled out his sword and wanted to kill the enemies.

Abbas, the lion son of Ali, was like his father. He was very brave and strong. The enemies feared him. If he wanted the tents to be pitched by the river, then Yazid's men even though in thousands, would not be able to stop him.

Husayn saw what was happening and quickly intervened. He knew his brother's temper and strength.

"Abbasl My brother Abbas! Put your sword back. Abbas, we have not come here to fight. Later on, people will say that we started the battle for water. Abbas! My brother Abbas! Calm down and put your sword back! Let us move away from here. We will pitch our tents elsewhere."

Abbas considered his brother to be his master and always obeyed his commands. He put his sword back and ordered his men to pitch their tents away from the river.

This was the 2nd of Moharram. As nights and days passed by, the scene in Kerbala changed.

Day by day Yazid's army increased in number. Nearly 20,000 of Yazid’s soldiers surrounded Husayn's tents.

Why so many to fight no more than 72 men in Husayn's army?

Despite having so many men in Yazid's army, his commanders were still worried because the 72 men in Husayn's army were no ordinary men. They were brave, faithful and did not fear death.

Yazid's soldiers knew this and therefore thought of a way to weaken Husayn's army.

On 7th Moharram, Yazid's commanders ordered their men to stop water from reaching Husayn's tents.

There were many ladies and children with Husayn and they suffered a lot without water and food.

For three days, one could here children crying for water

"AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH! WATER! WATER! WATER! THIRST! THIRST! THIRST!"

Abbas could hear this. He could hear his beloved Sakina crying for water. Abbas loved Sakina dearly and always got her anything she wanted.

Everytime Abbas heard Sakina crying for water, he shook with grief.

Abbas! Poor Abbas, could not bear to hear Sakina crying.

"AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH!" echoed through the land of Kerbala for three days and nights. Many little children died from thirst and hunger.

INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ELAIHE RAJEOON!