Ashura

The Battle and Its Related Events

part: 4

The narrator says: Umar Ibn Sa’ad rushed forward and threw an arrow towards the army of Husayn (a.s.) and said: “Bear wit- ness before the Amir that I was the first person to shoot!” Then arrows began to fall like raindrops.

Imam (a.s.) told his companions: “May Allah have Mercy on you. Get ready for death, the death from which there is no escape, because these arrows are the enemy’s war couriers for you.”

On the day of Ashura, for some hours, there was a heavy collective war, which rendered a number of companions martyred. At that moment holy Imam Husayn (a.s.) placed his hand on his holy beard and said: “Allah’s anger became severe against the Jews when they attributed a son to Allah; and on the Christians when they considered God to be a trinity; and on Zoarastarians when they worshipped the sun and the moon.

The wrath of Allah became harsh on my community when they united to kill the son of the daughter of His Messenger.” “No, by Allah! I will never submit to them until I meet my God when I get bathed in my blood.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) heard from his father that, “When Imam Husayn (a.s.) encountered Umar Ibn Sa’ad and the battle began, Allah sent down His Help. He caused shade over the blessed head of Husayn (a.s.). At that moment Husayn was provided two options: To be victorious over his enemies, or to meet his God. He opted for meeting Allah.”

It is said that at that time Husayn (a.s.) shouted, “Is there anyone to help us for the sake of Allah? Is there anyone prepared to defend the Prophet’s (S) family?” At that moment Hurr Ibn Yazeed Riyahi turned towards Umar bin Sa’ad and said: “Do you want to fight against this man?” Umar Ibn Sa’ad replied: “Yes. By Allah! The easiest form of it is chopping off heads and cutting off the hands.”

Then Hurr went and stood between his fellowmen. He began to tremble like a cane stick.

Muhajir Ibn Aus17 told him: “By Allah! Your action is very strange. If it were asked that who is the bravest man in Kufa, I could not have ignored you. But in what condition am I observing you?”

Hurr replied: “By Allah. I am, at present, finding myself in the position of opting for either Heaven or Hell. By Allah! I will opt for nothing but Paradise; even if I were cut into pieces and then burnt.” Then he drove his horse towards Husayn (a.s.) and while placing his hands on his head said: “O Allah! I have turned towards You, and I have repented. Kindly accept my repentance because I am guilty of causing unrest and anxiety to Your friends and to the children of the holy Prophet (S).”

He requested Husayn (a.s.): “May I be sacrificed for you. I am the same man who prevented you from returning to Medina and made things difficult for you. By Allah! I never imagined that these people would behave like this with you. I am repenting before Allah. Do you think that my repentance will be accepted?”

Husayn (a.s.) replied: “Yes. Allah will pardon you. Please get down.”

He submitted: “In my humble opinion, I can serve you better mounted than on feet. My last coming down, as desired by me, is martyrdom.” “Now that it is I who had revolted against you, kindly permit me to be the first martyr to be killed before your honor. Perhaps, tomorrow, on the Day of Justice, I may be one of those who will warmly shake hands with the holy Prophet (S).” Hurr said.

The compiler of the book says: What Hurr meant by the “first? martyr, was to be the first after that moment, as per narrations; a few persons had already been martyred earlier.

Imam allowed him. So Hurr went forward to fight and waged a good war. He killed many warriors of the enemy before getting himself martyred.

His pure body was brought to the Imam (a.s.) who cleaned his face and exclaimed; “You are indeed Hurr (Free) as your mother named you. You are free both in this world and in the Hereafter.”

The narrator says: Burair Ibn Haseen Khuzair who was a pious and worshipper went to the battlefield and was confronted by Yazeed bin Ma’qal. They both engaged in fighting and Burair sent Yazeed to hell and continued fighting till he attained martyrdom. May Allah be pleased with Burair