Battle of Karbala

The Battle of Karbala was a significant event in Islamic history that took place on October 10, 680 AD (10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH) in Karbala, present-day Iraq. This he Battle of Karbala was a pivotal event in Islamic history where a small group of approximately 72 family members and supporters of Hussein ibn Ali, including women and children,

were vastly outnumbered by the army of Yazid I, estimated to be around 1,000 to 5,000 soldiers. The bravery and martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali and his companions have become a symbol of resistance against oppression and tyranny in Islam.

Who was Hussain ibn Ali (R)?

Hussain (R) was the grandson of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ. His (R) father was the fourth caliph of Islam, Asadullah al-Ghalib Ali ibn Abi Talib (R), and His (R) mother was Fatimah az-Zahra (R), the youngest daughter of Prophet ﷺ. Hasan bin Ali (R) was his elder brother.

حسین رضی اللہ عنہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کے نواسے تھے۔ آپ (رض) کے والد اسلام کے چوتھے خلیفہ اسد اللہ الغالب علی ابن ابی طالب (رض) تھے اور آپ (رض) کی والدہ فاطمہ الزہرا (رض) تھیں، جو رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی سب سے چھوٹی بیٹی تھیں۔ حسن بن علی (رض) ان کے بڑے بھائی تھے۔

Al-Qatadah (R) states that “Hussain was born six years and five and half months after the Hijrah (migration). He was killed on a Friday on the Day of Ashura in the sixty-first year, aged fifty-four years and six and a half months (R).” [Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah]

Yazid ibn Muawiya, commonly known as Yazid I, was the second caliph of the Umayyad dynasty, ruling from 680 to 683 AD. He was born in 645 AD and was the son of Muawiya ibn Abu Sufyan, the founder of the Umayyad Caliphate.

he Umayyad dynasty was established after the first civil war in the Muslim community, known as the First Fitna, which followed the assassination of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan. Muawiya, Yazid’s father, became caliph after the death of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph and the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.

Muawiya appointed Yazid as his successor, a decision that broke from the traditional method of selecting the caliph through consultation or election. This move was controversial and faced opposition from several prominent figures within the Muslim community.

Background

After the martyrdom of the fourth caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib (R), the people of Kufa (in Iraq) pledged allegiance to his elder son Hasan ibn Ali (R), as the next caliph. But there were some differences in opinions between Muawiya (R) and Hasan (R).

چوتھے خلیفہ علی ابن ابی طالب (رض) کی شہادت کے بعد کوفہ (عراق میں) کے لوگوں نے اگلے خلیفہ کے طور پر آپ کے بڑے بیٹے حسن ابن علی (رض) کی بیعت کی۔ لیکن معاویہ (رض) اور حسن (رض) کے درمیان رائے میں کچھ اختلاف تھا۔

In one stage, Hasan (R) handed over the caliphate to Muawiya (R) with a peace treaty. There are several clauses in that agreement. Some of the important ones that are related to the Karbala battle background are-

ایک مرحلے میں حسن (رض) نے صلح کے معاہدے کے ساتھ خلافت معاویہ (رض) کو سونپ دی۔ اس معاہدے میں کئی شقیں ہیں۔ کربلا معرکہ کے پس منظر سے متعلق چند اہم باتیں یہ ہیں-

• Muawiya (R) couldn’t nominate the next Khalifa. The Shura committee would choose the next.

• معاویہ (رض) اگلے خلیفہ کو نامزد نہیں کر سکے۔ شوریٰ کمیٹی اگلا انتخاب کرے گی۔

• If Hasan (R) lived and Muawiya (R) died, Hasan (R) would be the next Khalifa.

• اگر حسن (رض) زندہ رہے اور معاویہ (رض) مر گئے تو حسن (رض) اگلے خلیفہ ہوں گے۔

Hasan (R) was poisoned to death, and Muawiya (R) appointed his son Yazid as the next Umayyad caliphate. But most prominent companions of the Prophet ﷺ including Hussain (R), didn’t support Yazid’s succession of power. So, from the beginning of the Yazid’s power, there were some differences in opinions between Hussain (R) and Yazid.

Journey Towards Kufa

After the succession of power, Yazid ordered the governor of Madina to take Yazid’s pledge of allegiance from Hussain ibn Ali (R). But, he refused it? Then Yazid ordered again to throw Hussain (R) to prison as punishment. Now, the governor was in danger, so he requested Hussain (R) to leave Makkah. So, Hussain ibn Ali (R) with his family migrated to Makkah unwillingly.

When in Makkah, Hussain ibn Ali (R) received many letters from the people of Kufa (in Iraq). They wrote that they were unsatisfied with Yazid’s activities, and they wanted to pledge allegiance to Hussain (R). Hussain ibn Ali (R) sent his cousin, Muslim bin Aqil (R), to observe the actual scenario of Kufa. Muslim ibn Aqil (R) saw that the people of Kufa sincerely wanted to give Bayyah to Hussain (R). So, Muslim ibn Aqil (R) wrote to Hussain (R) explaining the situation of Kufa.

After getting confirmation from Muslim ibn Aqil (R), Hussain (R) intended to go there. So, he discussed it with the Prophet’s companions ﷺ but most of them told him not to go there. But Hussain ibn Ali (R) decided to go as the people of Koofa were ready to pledge allegiance to Hussain (R).Battle of Karbala

When Yazid heard about the presence of Muslim bin Aqil (R) in the Kufa, he replaced the existing governor, Numan ibn Bashir and appointed a new governor, Obaidullah ibn Ziyad. He also ordered Ibn Ziyad to resist Muslim ibn Aqil (R) and Hussain (R). Then Ibn Ziyad arrested the leaders of the Kufa and, thereafter, Muslim ibn Aqil (R).

In this situation, the people of Kufa left Muslim bin Aqil’s (R) side due to the situation. Afterwards, ibn Ziyad killed Muslim (R) brutally. Before being killed, Muslim bin Aqil (R) wrote about the present scenarios to Hussain (R) and requested him to go back as the people of Kufa betrayed him. But Hussain had already departed for Kufa, and he didn’t know it.

At 8^th Dhul Hijjah on 60 AH, Hussain ibn Ali (R) started the journey to Kufa with his family members where most of them were Ahlul Bayit (members of the Prophet’s ﷺ family) and sixty associates. After travelling for several days, Hussain (R) received the news of the martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqil (R).

Huseyn ibn Ali (R) understood that the overall situation wasn’t going well. But he was determined to continue his journey to Koofa.

As they journeyed through the desert, Imam Hussein’s group was joined by a few loyal followers, including his brother, Abbas, and his sons, Ali Akbar and Ali Asghar. They were also accompanied by women and children, including Imam Hussein’s daughter, Zaynab, and his son, Ali Zayn al-Abidin.

On the 2^nd Muharram, 61 Hijri year, Hussain (R) and his companions reached Karbala (situated in Iraq). But they were blocked by Yazid’s 4000 force led by Umar ibn Saad. As Hussain ibn Ali (R) and his mates had been traveling for a long time, they were tired and thirsty. But Ibn Saad’s army didn’t reach them near the Euphrates River to collect water. So, the children, women, and others were suffering a lot due to a lack of water. Ibn Saad’s army surrounded and attacked Hussain’s (R) companions sometime in the following few days.

On the night before the Karbala battle, Hussain (R) announced that if anyone from his group wanted to go back to Makka, it would go as they would be killed by Yazid’s force soon. But everyone with him was ready to be on the side of Hussain ibn Ali (R) until they lived in this world. Subhan Allah, like the leader, like the followers, the examples of righteous Muslims.

On the 3^rd of Muharram, Ibn Saad said to Hussain (R) to pledge allegiance to Yazid or surrender. But he (R) refused it like before and said death is better to me than pledging allegiance to Yazid. From the 7^th of Muharram, Yazid’s army blocked the water sources completely. Thus, Hussain’s (R) camp was distressed terribly due to the lack of water. However, they didn’t give up their way.

Yazid’s army, led by Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad, the governor of Kufa, and Shimr ibn Dhi’l-Jawshan, a ruthless mercenary, consisted of thousands of soldiers. They were well-equipped and well-trained, with a large contingent of archers and cavalry.

The Battle of Karbala

On October 10, 680 CE, Imam Hussein’s group, numbering around 72 men, arrived at Karbala, a small town in Iraq. Yazid’s army surrounded them, cutting off their access to water and food. Despite being vastly outnumbered, Imam Hussein and his companions refused to surrender.

The Battle of Karbala began with a series of skirmishes between the two sides. Imam Hussein’s group fought bravely, but they were vastly outnumbered and outmatched. One by one, the companions of Imam Hussein fell, including his brother, Abbas, and his sons, Ali Akbar and Ali Asghar.

Imam Hussein, wounded and exhausted, fought valiantly, but he was eventually surrounded by Yazid’s soldiers. Shimr ibn Dhi’l-Jawshan struck Imam Hussein’s head with his sword, and he fell to the ground.

The Aftermath

After Imam Hussein’s death, Yazid’s army looted the camp, killing any survivors, including women and children. They then marched the captives, including Zaynab and Ali Zayn al-Abidin, to Damascus, where they were paraded as prisoners.

The news of the massacre at Karbala sent shockwaves throughout the Muslim world. The event became a rallying cry for the Shia community, who saw Imam Hussein as a symbol of resistance against oppression and tyranny.

Legacy of the Battle of Karbala

The Battle of Karbala has had a profound impact on Islamic history and culture. It represents the eternal struggle between good and evil, justice and tyranny, and the human spirit’s capacity for courage and sacrifice.

For Shia Muslims, the Battle of Karbala is a symbol of their identity and a reminder of their duty to stand up against oppression. It is commemorated annually during the month of Muharram, with processions, mourning rituals, and reenactments of the battle.

he Battle of Karbala legacy extends beyond its historical significance, inspiring art, literature, and music throughout the centuries. It has also influenced political and social movements, from the Iranian Revolution to the Arab Spring.

Conclusion

The Battle of Karbala was a pivotal event in Islamic history that has left an indelible mark on the Muslim world. It serves as a reminder of the importance of courage, conviction, and the struggle for justice and human rights. The legacy of Imam Hussein and his companions continues to

The Battle of Karbala and Dramatic Images

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