THE REMAINING COMPANIONS
Yazid Ibn Ma'qil, from the army, called Burayr and said, "O, Burayr! How do you find what God did to you?"Burayr said, "God chose what is best for me and what is worst for you. You do not remember when you were criticizing Mu'awiyah and called him astray?"
Burayr then asked him to ask for divine intervention before they fight so that God kills whoever of them is evil. Ibn Ma'qil agreed, they fought, and Burayr killed him. On his way back, another group of soldiers attacked Burayr and killed him.
Handalah Ibn Sa'id al-Shabbami called the Imam aside and said to him, "These people deserve the punishment of God when they refuse your call and after killing all of your friends and followers. Do not prevent me from fighting." He went and fought until he was killed.
'Abis Ibn Shabib al-Shakiri came and said to the Imam, "There is no one dearer to me on this earth than you. If I were able to help you by anything better than my soul, I would. May peace be upon
you. I bear witness that, indeed, you are on the path of guidance." He took his sword, went to the enemy, and said, "Who wants to fight?"
They recognized him but did not answer. They loaded the catapults with boulders. When he saw that, he took off his armor and his helmet and attacked them with his sword. More than two hundred of them ran away. Then they regrouped, surrounded him from all sides, and killed him.
After that, John, the only African in Imam Husayn's camp, asked permission from the Imam to go. The Imam answered him, "O, John! You did not join this caravan for this battle."
John collapsed at the feet of the Imam and said, "I was following you when things were easy, and I am not going to leave you in this difficult time. I know that I may not have an excellent genealogy, but I have my black skin. Let me enter heaven for your honor. Indeed, I am not going to leave you until my black blood is mixed with your blood!" The Imam allowed him to go and fight, and he killed three hundred and twenty four soldiers before he was killed. The Imam prayed for him.
Then, Anas Ibn Harith Ibn Nabih al-Khalili asked for permission. He was in old man, a companion of the Prophet, and fought with him at the battles of Badr and Hunayn. He went and he killed eighteen soldiers before being killed.
Next, 'Amr Ibn Junadah al-Ansari who was eleven years old asked the Imam's permission. The Imam turned and said, "This is the one whose father was killed in the first attack. Maybe his mother does not want him to fight."
'Amr said, "My mother ordered me to do so and that is why I am asking your permission."
The Imam allowed him to fight. When he was killed, his head was cut off and thrown to the Imam's camp. His mother picked up his head, then took a tent pole and killed two soldiers, but the Imam went to her and took her back.
Then, Hajjaj Ibn Masruq al-Ju'fi fought until he was killed. Then, Sawwar Ibn Abi Hamr al-Fahmi fought, until he was captured as a prisoner. 'Umar wanted to kill him, but his tribe prevented him. He lived through the massacre at Karbala', but died after six months.
The last one, Suwayd Ibn 'Amr Ibn Abi al-Muta went and, during the fighting, fell down on his face. Everyone thought that he was dead, but suddenly when he heard that Imam Husayn was killed, he got up, took out a small dagger from his waist, and started fighting with it. They surrounded him and killed him. He was the last of Imam Husayn's companions to be killed.
THE IMAM'S SON, 'ALI AL-AKBAR
Because of this, a man called to 'Ali al-Akbar and said, "You have a relationship to the leader of the faithful Yazid, and we want to honor that relationship. If you want clemency we will give it to you."
'Ali al-Akbar replied, "The relationship of the Messenger of God is more important that your relationship," and he attacked the enemies while reciting this poetry:
"I am 'Ali son of Husayn son of 'Ali
We are closer to the Prophet than any
Indeed, Ibn Ziyad does not rule over us
I will fight to protect my father
The fighting of a Qurayshi and Hashemi."
When the Imam heard that, he cried and said, "'Umar Ibn Sa'd, you did not honor the relationship to the Prophet. May God send someone to kill you in your bed." Then he said, "O, God! Indeed, the one who is most like the Prophet in his features, manners, and his talk, has gone to them. Whenever we wanted to be reminded of the Prophet, we looked at him. O, God! Prevent from them the blessings of the earth, and divide them and do not make anyone pleased with them." Then he recited: "Indeed, God has chosen Adam and Noah and the House of Abraham and the House of 'Imran over the worlds." 1
'Ali al-Akbar fought once on the right flank, then again on the left flank and killed one hundred and twenty horsemen. He came back to his father so thirsty, that the Imam cried and said, "Soon you will
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1. The Holy Qur'an; Sura of Aal-Imran 3:34.
see your grandfather. He will give you water which you will never forget." He put his tongue on his son's tongue to show him how dry his own mouth was, and then gave him his ring to put in his mouth and whet his mouth with it.
'Ali al-Akbar went back again to fight until he killed eighty more soldiers.
Meanwhile, on the enemy side, Hurrah Ibn Munqidh said, "I am going to kill this boy," and went after him. He hit 'Ali in the back with a spear, then hit him on the head. 'Ali leaned forward and hugged the neck of his horse, and the horse kept going forward until they were at the enemy's side, and they started cutting him into pieces. He screamed to his father the Imam saying, "To you, from me, peace! O, father!" This is my grandfather giving me my water and he says yours is here waiting for you."
The Imam reached him, scattered the soldiers away, put his cheek on his son's cheek, and said, "There is nothing good in this world after you. Now disgraceful are these people against God, by humiliating the family of the Prophet. It is difficult for your father and grandfather that you call them but they do not answer you. You call them for help but they cannot help you." The Imam then asked the others to take 'Ali al-Akbar to the tent. The women all cried and beat their chests. Next, 'Abdullah Ibn Muslim Ibn 'Aqil attacked the enemy and killed three of them. Yazid al-Raqqad shot an arrow at him. 'Abdullah tried to block it with his hand, but it hit him in the forehead and he could not take it out. Another arrow pierced through his heart and he died.
Then, among the People of Abu Talib, all of the remaining men went in one group and attacked the enemy. Awn Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Ja'far al-Tayyar, his brother Muhammad, 'Abdul Rahman Ibn 'Aqil, his brother Ja'far, Muhammad Ibn Muslim Ibn 'Aqil, Hasan al-Muthanna, Muhammad Ibn 'Ali Amir al-Mu'minin, and 'Abdullah Ibn 'Aqil all went to fight.
THE IMAM'S NEPHEW, QASIM
Then, Qasim the son of Imam Hasan and nephew of Imam Husayn fought until he was killed. He was below the age of maturity. He had sandals on his feet and, during the fight, one of the straps of sandals came off. In the heat of the action, he stopped and fixed it as if to say that all of these soldiers are not even worth his one sandal.During the fight Ibn Nafil came forward to kill him, but Hamid Ibn Muslim came and said, "What do you want with this boy? Leave him. Do you not see all the people surrounding him?"
Ibn Nafil answered him, "No! I want to kill this boy!" And he went and hit Qasim on his head and killed him.
Just before he died, he hollered, "O uncle!" And the Imam reached him like an angry lion. The Imam hit the killer and the killer yelled so loud that all of the army came forward to rescue him, but they could not, and, instead, they ended up running over his body.
When the dust settled, they saw the Imam standing by the head of the boy, saying, "Woe to those who killed you. On the Day of Judgment your
grandfather will be their enemy. It is hard for your uncle to be called without being able to help you. It is hard for your uncle to reply without being able to do anything."
He carried him and put him with 'Ali al-Akbar's body, and said, "O God! Do not leave any of them alone and never forgive them for what they have done. O, my People of the House! Be patient. Be patient."
THE IMAM'S BROTHER, 'ABBAS
When 'Abbas saw the situation, he gathered his brothers; 'Abdullah, 'Uthman, and Ja'far, and all of them decided to fight before him. Then, when 'Abbas came and asked permission to fight, the Imam said, "Instead of fighting, go and bring some water for the children."'Abbas went towards the troops and spoke, "O, 'Umar Ibn Sa'd! This is Husayn, grandson of the Messenger of God. You have killed all of his followers and relatives. His children and his women are thirsty. Let them have water. He is asking to leave this land for you and go to Rome or India."
His speech affected the soldiers and some of them cried. Shimr replied, "If the earth is all filled with water, we would not let you drink one drop of it, unless you come to the allegiance of Yazid."
When 'Abbas went back to tell his brother the Imam, he heard the children's cries for water. Then, he took his horse and a water skin and headed towards the river. Four thousand soldiers
surrounded him and shot arrows at him, but he did not care. He went straight to the river, carrying the Liwa al-Hamd, the flag of the Prophet Muhammad during wars, which Imam Husayn inherited.
When he reached the river, because he was so thirsty, he took a handful to drink, but then he remembered that the Imam and his children were still thirsty, he let the water drop back into the river and said:
"I do not want life after Imam Husayn.
Imam Husayn and the women and children are thirsty,
And I cannot drink while they are thirsty.
This is not the order of my religion to do so!"
He filled the water skin and headed back to the camp. When the enemy blocked him, he killed many of them saying:
"I do not care about death.
My life is to protect the life of the Imam!"
Zayd Ibn Ruqad was hiding behind a palm tree, and suddenly came out, swinging his sword and cutting off 'Abbas's right hand.
'Abbas said:
"If you cut my right hand
I am going to continue protecting my religion
And a true Imam,
The descendant of the Prophet!"
He did not care about his hand because he wanted to get the water back for the children. Another soldier, Hakim Ibn Tufayl, was also hiding, and he came out and cut 'Abbas's left hand. Then, they surrounded him, and the arrows reached the water skin and the water began to leak out. When 'Abbas noticed this, his heart sank and he could not bear to return back to the camp without any water.
One arrow pierced his chest, and a soldier hit his head with a tent pole. 'Abbas fell down and said, "To you, from me, Peace! O, Imam!"
The Imam immediately rushed to him and said, "Now my back is broken and I have no choice!"
The Imam did not take the body with the others. He left it there and left alone, crying, wiping his tears with his sleeve, and saying, "Is there not anyone to help us? Is there not anyone to give us shelter? Is there not anyone who fears the Fire of God?"
Sukaynah, his daughter, came to him and asked about her uncle 'Abbas. Zaynab came to take her away, and they all started crying heavily. The only one remaining was Imam Husayn. The Imam looked around and saw no one left.
He looked at his family and his children and said, "Is there anyone to take care of the family of the Prophet? Is there anyone who fears God? Is there anyone to help us?"
The children and women cried, weeping and wailing loudly. 'Ali al-Sajjad was very sick, but he got up and took his sword to fight. The Imam said to Umm Kulthum, "Do not let him participate. If he dies, no one will carry the message."
Then he gathered all of his children and family and said, "You must be quiet."
He changed his clothes to the old clothes of the Prophet, changed his sword to the sword of the Prophet, and said, "I am going to be killed, and I do not want anybody to take these old clothes from me." Then, he asked for his infant child. Zaynab brought him with his mother Rabab. He kept the child on his lap, kissed him, and said, "Woe to the army!"
He took the child with him to the army, held up the child so everyone could see, and said, "If you want to fight with me, this child has no sin for you to fight against him. Take him and give him water."
The army people were talking, some saying yes, some saying no. 'Umar turned to his slave, Harmalah, and said, "Finish this matter! Now!"
Harmalah shot a three-pointed arrow at the heart of the baby, and it died while it was in the Imam's hands. The Imam caught some of the baby's blood in his cupped hand and threw it into the sky, saying, "O, God! You are witness to what they have done!"
Then, the Imam came off his horse and dug a grave with his sword on the spot and buried the baby.
Then, the Imam climbed back onto his horse, rode towards the enemy, and said, "I am Husayn, son of 'Ali. Anyone who wants to fight me, come on!"
Ibn Yaghuth said, "I could not believe that someone with so many of his followers and relatives killed could still be so firm in his decision."
When the Imam started to charge towards them, the army ran away from him, so 'Umar said, "This is
a brave man of the Arabs. You cannot fight him one by one. Surround him on all sides!"
Four thousand arrows were shot at the Imam. He stopped and said, "O, followers of Abi Sufyan! If you do not believe in any religion, and you do not fear the Judgment, then be free in this world. [At least think for yourselves] Go and examine yourselves, if you are Arabs as you claim."
Shimr said, "What are you saying, O, son of Fatimah?"
The Imam said, "I am the one who fights with you, the women have done nothing wrong. Do not let your army attack the women."
Shimr agreed, and they started to attack him. The Imam fought the four hundred that were guarding the river, and he entered the river. His horse wanted to drink from the river, and the Imam said to his horse, "I am thirsty and you are thirsty, but I will not drink until you drink."
The horse looked up at the Imam, showing that he understood. The Imam went to scoop some water, and somebody said, "You drink water while your women are taken slaves?"
The Imam dropped the water and rode back to the tents. He gathered everyone together for one last time and said, "You must be patient, and be prepared for the difficulties of the future. Know that God will protect you and rescue you from your
enemies. You should not give up hope. Your enemy will be punished with a severe punishment. Do not complain and do not say things that make you look weak. Be prepared for difficulties."
When the Imam wanted to ride away on his horse, everyone came and clung to him saying something, and he and Zaynab tried to comfort everyone. He looked at little Sukaynah and said, "You have much crying to come... do not cry for me now."
While the Imam was saying goodbye to his family, 'Umar said to his army, "Take advantage of his being busy with his family and attack him. If he leaves them, you cannot overcome him!"
Suddenly, arrows began to fly and the children and women ran to take cover. The Imam clenched his fingers around his sword and went after the troops, killing everyone that came in his way and repeating the phrase "There is no help but from God!"
Shimr said, "You are not going to drink water until you enter hell."
The Imam said, "O, God! Make him die of thirst."
Abu al-Hutuf shot an arrow that hit the Imam in his forehead. The Imam removed it from his head and threw it aside, saying, "O God! Do not leave any of them on this earth and never forgive them." And he said in a very loud voice, "This is the worst treatment you are giving the People of Muhammad! I will be killed by you, but God is going to take revenge on you!"
One of them asked, "What kind of revenge do you think God will take?" The Imam said, "Some of you will kill others and the punishment of God will come pouring down on you."
The Imam continued chasing after them and they ran away until someone catapulted a large stone at him. The rock hit his forehead and blood dripped into his eyes. He wiped the blood, and someone shot a three-pointed arrow that pierced his chest, near his heart.
The Imam said, "In the name of God, and by God, and by the religion of the Messenger of God!" And he pulled the arrow out from his back, which was pouring with blood. He was so weak that he could not walk. Malik Ibn Nasr came and cursed the Imam and hit him on the head with a sword. The Imam said, "May you never eat by your hand until you join the unjust people."
The Imam fell down on the ground and was not able to get back up. Suddenly, they saw a child (Muhammad Ibn Abi Sa'id Ibn 'Aqil Ibn Abi Talib) run towards the Imam and drop himself on the Imam to protect him. The Imam told him, "You have to be patient. Go join the women. Do not stay here."
Before he could get away, an arrow killed the child.
It became easy to kill the Imam. He had no one to help him, and he himself lost so much blood; therefore, he was too weak to stand. But, no one wanted to start the murder of the grandson of the Prophet of God. They surrounded him and just stood there, looking at him, and the Imam just lay there, looking back at them.
Shimr yelled, "Why are you looking at him? What do you expect him to do? If he were able to fight you, he would have. Finish him now that he is wounded!"
Zur'a hit the Imam's left shoulder with his sword. Hosayn ibn Numayr shot an arrow into his throat, another soldier hit him on his chest, and Sinan speared him on his collarbone, then another in his chest, then another in his throat. Salih Ibn Wahab hit the Imam on his side.
The Imam lay on the ground bleeding and looking up at the soldiers. They stood, looking. The Imam asked for water and they refused to give him any. One of them said, "You will not get any water until you get to hell!"
The Imam asked, "Am I going to hell while my grandfather is the Prophet of God, and I am going to tell him what you have done to me?" He raised his hands to the sky and said, "O God! I am in need of you and ask help from you, and rely only on you. O God! Judge between us and these people who invited us then turned against us and killed us. O God! I am patient on whatever is written for me."
Ever since the Imam fell off his horse, the horse did not leave the scene, and kept circling around the body of the Imam.
'Umar said, "This horse is one of the best Arabian horses. You have to fight with the horse!"
The horse, by itself, killed forty men and ten horses. Then 'Umar said, "Do not kill him! Let us see what he is going to do."
So, they left him alone, and he went back to the Imam, sniffed his body, whinnied very loudly, and went back to the tents. When the women and children saw the horse they realized that the Imam was dying. Umm Kulthum and Zaynab and others
yelled, "We wish if the heaven and earth were not there!"
'Umar sent a group of his army, and the Imam was still struggling.
Zaynab called 'Umar and said, "The Imam is killed and you are watching?" And he cried. She said, "Is there any Muslim among you?" But nobody replied to her.
'Umar called his army and said, "Go down there and finish him. Shimr went to the Imam, kicked his leg, sat on his chest, took hold of his beard, and stabbed him with his sword twelve times. Then, he cut off the Imam's head.
After that, the soldiers came forward to loot the Imam's belongings from his body. Ibn Hayway took his shirt. Ibn Marthad took his turban. Ibn Khalid took his shoes. Ibn Khal took his sword. Bajad wanted his ring, but he could not get it off, so he cut off the Imam's finger just to get the ring. Qays took his velvet Qatifa. Ja'wunah took his old clothes. Rahil took his bow. Then, they left the headless bodies to rot in the desert.
