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Zainab (S.A) - Islam Guidance

  • Ali Akbar, the Hashemite Prince

    The scene of Ali Akbar's march towards the battlefield was such as would defy description. The cries of ladies and children of Hussain's (A.S) camp were rising above the din of battle-cries and beating of enemy drums. It was appearing as if a dead body of an only son, dead in the prime of youth, was being taken out of a house for the last rites.
    Ali Akbar was now facing the enemy hordes. He was addressing the forces of Umar ibn Sa'ad with an eloquence which he had inherited from his Grandfather and the Prophet. He was telling them that Hussain (A.S), his father, had done them no harm and had devoted his life to the cause of Islam. He was explaining to them that by shedding the blood of Hussain (A.S) and his kinsmen. They would be incurring the wrath of God and displeasure of the Prophet who had loved Hussain (A.S) more than any other person. He was exhorting them not to smear their hands with the blood of a person so holy, so God-fearing and so righteous. His words cast a spell on the army of the opponents. The older ones from amongst them were blinking their eyes in amazement and wondering whether the Prophet had descended from the Heavens to warn them against the shedding of Hussain's (A.S) blood. What a resemblance there was with the Prophet, in face, features and even mannerism! Even the voice was of Muhammad! But on second thoughts, they realized that this was Ali Akbar, the 18 year old son of Hussain (A.S), about whose close resemblance with the Prophet people were talking so much.
    Seeing the effect which Ali Akbar's address had produced on his soldiers, Umar ibn Sa'ad exhorted them to challenge him to single combat. A few of them, coveting the honor and rewards they would get if they overpowered and killed this brave son of Hussain (A.S), emaciated by three days of hunger and thirst, came forward to challenge him. One by one he met them in battle, gave them a taste of his skill and prowess in fighting and flung them from their horseback to meet the doom they so much deserved. Now it was his turn to challenge the warriors of Yazid to come forward. Seeing that in spite of his handicaps, he was capable of displaying valor and battle craft for which his grandfather Ali had acquired name and fame and which had struck terror into the hearts of enemies of Islam none dared to come forward.
    Ali Akbar had received several gaping wounds in the course of his victorious single combats. He was fast losing blood and the effect of his thirst was getting accentuated with every second that was passing. He realized that the treacherous enemies would attack him in masse. He had left his mother in a dazed condition. An irresistible urge to see his dear ones for the last time seized him and he turned his horse towards his camp.
    He found his father standing at the doorstep of the tent and his mother and aunt standing inside the tent. Hussain (A.S) had been watching the battles of this thirsty youth and the two ladies were watching his face: they knew that if any calamity befell Ali Akbar, Hussain's (A.S) expression would indicate it. Whilst watching Hussain's (A.S) face, they were both praying offering silent prayers:
    O Allah, Who brought back Ishmael to Hagar (Hajar); O Allah, Who granted the prayers of the mother Musa and restored her son to her; O Allah, Who reunited Jacob with his son Joseph in response to the aged father's supplications, grant us our one wish to see Ali Akbar for once.
    Was it the effect of these prayers that brought back Ali Akbar to the camp?
    Ali Akbar was now facing his aged father and his loving mother and Zainab. With an exclamation of joy and relief they clung to him. Hussain (A.S) lovingly embraced his son saying:
    Bravo, my son. The gallantry you how displayed today reminded me of the battles of my revered father, Ali. The only difference was that, during his fights, my father Ali had not to battle against hunger and thirst as you had to.
    Ali Akbar with his head bent replied:
    Father, thirst is killing me because my wounds have added to its effect. It is usual to ask for rewards from parents for celebrating victories in single combats and I would have asked for a cup of refreshing water from you. But alas! I know that you have not even a drop of water with which you can quench the thirst of the young children. Father, knowing this, I shall not embarrass you by asking for water. I have come only to see you and my dear ones for the last time.
    Ali Akbar met each and every one of his family. The second parting was sad as the first one, perhaps sadder. Without being told, every one realized that this was the last time they were beholding Akbar. Fizza, the faithful maid of Fatima and Zainab, was as disconsolate with grief as Zainab and Umme Laila. Hussain (A.S) followed Ali Akbar out of the tent. As he rode away, Hussain (A.S) walked behind him with a brisk pace for some distance, as a man follows his sacrificial lamb in Mina. When Akbar disappeared from his sight, he turned heavenwards and, with his hands raised, he prayed:
    O Allah, Thou art my Witness that on this day I have sent away for sacrifice one whom I loved and cherished most, to defend the cause of righteousness and truth.
    He sat on the ground as if trying to listen expectantly to some call from the battlefield.
    It was not very long before he received a wailing call, a call from Ali Akbar, a call of anguish and pain:
    Father, Akbar has fallen with a mortal wound in his chest. Father, come to me for I have not long to live. If you cannot reach me, I convey my last salutations to you and my dear ones.
    Though Hussain (A.S) was anticipating such a call, what a ghastly effect it had on him! He rose from the ground and fell; he rose again and fell again. With one hand on his heart he struggled to his feet. Torrential tears were flooding his eyes. He rushed in the direction from which the cry had come. It seemed as Hussain's (A.S) strength had ebbed away on hearing that fateful cry of his dearest son, for he was falling at every few steps. He was sobbing:
    Akbar, give me another shout so that I can follow its direction. Akbar, my sight is gone with the shock I have received and there is nobody to guide me to where you lie.
    Abbas came rushing to the aid of his master. Holding his hand he led him on to the place from where Akbar's dying cry had come.
    Now Hussain (A.S) was stumbling his way onwards resting his hands on Abbas' shoulders. The distance seemed interminable but at last Hussain (A.S) and Abbas reached the place where Akbar was lying in a pool of his own blood. Ah, that tragic sight! May no father have occasion to see his young on in such a conditions. With one hand on his chest covering a deep wound from which blood was gushing out, with his face writhing with pain, Akbar was lying on the ground prostrate and unconscious. With the agony he was enduring on account of the wound and the thirst that he was offering, he was digging his feet into the sand. With a cry of anguish Hussain (A.S) fell on the body of Akbar.
    My son, tell me where you are hurt; tell me who has wounded you in the chest. Why don't you say something? My Akbar, I have come in response to your call. Say one word to me, Akbar.
    Seeing that Akbar was lying there without any response to his entreaties, Hussain (A.S) turned to Abbas and said:
    Abbas, why don't you tell Akbar to say something to me. My dutiful son, who used to get up on seeing me, is lying on the ground pressed by the hand of death.
    Hussain (A.S) once again flung himself on the body of Akbar. His breathing was now heavier; a gurgling sound was coming from his throat. It seemed that his young life was engaged in an uneven struggle with death. Hussain (A.S) put his head on Akbar's chest. He lifted it and put his own cheeks against Akbar's and wailed:
    Akbar, for once open your eyes and smile, as you were always smiling to gladden my heart.
    Though Akbar did not open his eyes, a faint smile appeared on his lips as if he had listened to his father's request. With the sweet smile still playing on his lips, he heaved a gasp and with that his soul departed. The cheeks of the father were still touching the cheeks of the son, in death as so many times in life.
    He made all the efforts that he was capable of and, assisted by Abbas, he lifted the body of Akbar. Clasping it close to his bosom, he started the long walk to his camp. How he reached is difficult to say. It would not be too much to imagine that his grandfather Muhammad, his father Ali, his brother Hasan and perhaps his mother Fatima had descended from heaven to help him in this task.
    Hussain (A.S) reached the camp and laid down Akbar's body on the ground. He called Umme Laila and Zainab and Kulsum, Sakina and Rokayya, Fizza and the other ladies of the house to see the face of Akbar for the last time. The loving mother came, the loving aunts came, the children came, and surrounded the body of Ali Akbar. They looked at Akbar's face and then at Hussain's (A.S). They knew that their weeping would add to Hussain's (A.S) grief which was already brimful. Ali Akbar's mother went up to her husband and with stifled sobs and bent head, she said to him:
    My master, I am proud of Akbar for dying such a noble death. He has laid down his life in the noblest cause and this thought will sustain me through the rest of my life. I implore you to pray for me, to pray for ail of us, that Almighty Allah may grant us patience and solace.
    Saying this she turned to the dead body of her son lying on the ground and put her face on his. Zainab and Kulsum, and Ruqayyah had all flung themselves on Akbar's body. The tears that were flowing from their eyes were sufficient to wash away the clotted blood from the wounds of Akbar.
    Hussain (A.S) sat for a few minutes near the dead body of his son; the son whom he had lost in such tragic circumstances; the son who had died craving for a drop of water to quench his thirst. He felt dazed with grief. He was awakened from his stupor by Qasim, the son of his brother, who had come to seek his permission to go to the battlefield. He rose from the ground, wiped the tears from his aged eyes and muttered:
    Verily from God we come, and unto Him is our return.

    This article borrowed from shia.org.

  • The Standard Bearer of Karbala

    Abbas (A.S) could no longer bear life after having seen how his companions and the members of his family killed and how the Hujjah of his time was suffering from the great number of the enemies surrounding him after his supply route had been cut off and after hearing the women wailing and the children crying of thirst. He, therefore, sought permission from his brother. Since Abbas (A.S) was the most precious asset to the grandson of the Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P), who is soon to be martyred, especially since the foes always dreaded having to fight him and feared his advance, and how the ladies felt a sense of security upon seeing the standard raised high, the sacred soul of the Father of the Oppressed did not accept to part with him. The Imam (A.S) said to him, “O brother! You are my standard-bearer!” Abbas (A.S) said, “I am fed-up with these hypocrites, and I want to seek revenge against them.” Hussain (A.S) ordered him to bring water for the children, so Abbas went to those people and admonished them, warning them of the Wrath of the Omnipotent, but all of that fell on deaf ears.
    He then shouted: “O Umar ibn Sa'ad! Here is Hussain son of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah! You have killed his companions and family, and here are his children suffering from thirst! Give them some water, for thirst has burnt their hearts!” As he kept repeating his pleas, he also kept saying to them, “Let me go to Rome or to India, and I shall leave Hijaz and Iraq for you all.” There were some people among the enemy ranks who were genuinely moved by those pleas, so they wept, but Shimr shouted as loudly as he could, “O son of Abu Turab! Had the face of earth been entirely covered with water, and had it been in our hands, we would still have not given you a drop of it to drink unless you swear the oath of allegiance to Yazid!”
    Abbas went back to his brother to tell him of the outcome of his negotiations with those ruffians. Abbas heard the children crying of thirst, so he could not tolerate the situation any longer. He was fired up with his Hashemite zeal.
    Then he rode his horse and took the water bag. As many as four thousand archers soon surrounded him and shot him with their arrows, yet their large number did not impede his attempt. He kept chasing those throngs alone as his standard kept fluttering above. Those people could not tell whether that was Abbas who was thus slaughtering their heroes. Their men could not maintain their grounds before him, and he succeeded in getting into the Euphrates River heedless of the huge crowd around him.
    The moment he took one handful of water to drink he remembered how thirsty Hussain (A.S) and those with him were, so he spilled it then said:
    O soul! After Hussain nobody does count!
    After him, you should to nothing amount,
    Here is Hussain nearing his end
    While you drink of cool water?!
    By Allah! Such is not a deed
    At all enjoined by my creed!

    Then he filled the water bag, rode his horse, and went in the direction of the camp. His path was blocked, so he kept killing those who blocked it till he was able to make his way through them as he was saying:
    I do not fear dead when it calls upon me,
    Till among the swords you bury me.
    My soul protects the one
    Who is the Prophet's grandson?
    Abbas am I, the water bag do I bear
    When I meet evil, I know no fear!

    Zayd ibn Arqam ambushed him from behind a palm tree assisted by Ibn Tufail, dealing a sword blow to his right arm, completely severing it. He (A.S), said:
    By Allah! If you cut off my right hand,
    I shall not cease defending my creed,
    And an Imam true to his conviction do I defend,
    A son of the trustworthy Prophet whom Allah did send.

    He did not pay attention to the fact that his right hand had been cut off because he was only concerned about getting the water to the children and the family of Hussain (A.S), but Ibn Tufail was still hiding another palm tree when he passed by. Hakim struck him with his sword on his left hand, amputating it, too, and soon a large number of men were surrounding him. Arrows fell on him like rain, piercing the water bag and boring a hole in it through which its water was completely spilled. An arrow pierced his chest. A man hit him with a pole on his head, severely injuring him.
    He fell on the ground shouting, “Peace unto you from me, O father of Abdullah!” Hussain (A.S) rushed to him.
    How I wish to know in what condition he went to him, with a soul imperiled by this great loss, or by the brotherhood that pulls a brother to his beloved brother....
    Yes; Hussain (A.S) reached him and witnessed how sacrifice is being offered to the Holy One on a plain covered with blood and crowned with arrows. Abbas had no might nor speech nor anything whereby he could keep his foes away. He could not even see anything; his head was on the ground bleeding.
    Is it accurate to say that Hussain (A.S) saw all of these calamities and still had any strength whereby he could stand on his feet? Only Hussain remained after the martyrdom of Abbas. He remained a figure staring in the sky, stripped of all the necessities of life. He (A.S) described his condition best when he said, “Now my spine has been split and my endeavor is further weakened.”
    He left him where he had fell and did not move him anywhere due to a hidden reason which time later unveiled:
    He was to be buried where he had fallen separately from the other martyrs so that he would have a mausoleum of his own visited by those who seek his intercession with the Almighty to grant them the fulfillment of their wishes, and so that his grave-site would be a place for the people who seek nearness to the Almighty, Praise to Him, under its dome that stands lofty in the sky, glowing. It is there that dazzling miracles manifest themselves and the nation thereby comes to know his lofty status and station with Allah Almighty. It then carries out its obligation of loving him which is renewed by continuous visits. Greeting him will establish a link between them and Allah, the most Exalted.
    Hussain (A.S) went back to the camp feeling extremely depressed, tearful. He kept wiping his tears with his cuffs as men raced with one another to assault his camp. He called out: “Is there anyone who helps us?! Is there anyone who grants us security?! Is there anyone who seeks justice, so he supports us?! Is there anyone who fears the Fire, so he defends us?!” Roghayya, his daughter, came to him and asked him about her uncle Abbas.
    He told her of his being killed. Zainab heard him revealing this sad news, so she cried out, “O brother! O Abbas! O our loss after you!” Women wept, and Hussain (A.S) wept, too, and said, “O our loss after you!”

    Maqtal al-Hussain- Martyrdom Epic of Imam al-Hussain (A.S)
    By: Abd al-Razzaq al-Muqarram

  • The story of the six month old baby

    Ashura came to the land of Karbala.
    One-by-one, Hussain (A.S)'s friends and companions were martyred.
    Aun & Muhammed, Qasim, Abbas and Ali Akbar went to the battlefield and were martyred.
    By noon time Hussain (A.S) was left alone.
    The time had come for Hussain (A.S) to go to the battlefield. Hussain (A.S) said good bye to everyone.
    Hussain (A.S), with his sword Zulfiqar on his waist, mounted Zuljanah, his horse.
    Hussain (A.S) rode his horse to a small mount, he then called out loudly:
    “Is there anyone to help me? Is there anyone to help the grandson of the holy prophet?”
    With this call, the grandson of the Holy Prophet was giving one last chance to Yazid's men, the men who called themselves Muslims - the followers of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P).
    Hypocrites! That's what Yazid's men were.
    No one answered Hussain (A.S)'s last call. But Hussain (A.S) heard the sound of crying coming from his camp.
    Hussain (A.S) turned around and returned to his tents.
    "Zainab (S.A), your brother is still alive. Why are you crying?"
    "My brother Hussain (A.S), when you called out,” Is there anyone to help me?” Ali Asghar fell from his cradle."
    Hussain (A.S) knew what Ali Asghar was trying to say.
    Hussain (A.S) went to Umme Rubab. Ali Asghar was on her lap.
    He was crying and Umme Rubab was trying to comfort him.
    Hussain (A.S) picked up baby Ali Asghar and whispered in his ear. Ali Asghar stopped crying. He looked up at his father and smiled.
    "Umme Rubab, I am taking Ali Asghar to the battlefield with me so that I can get some water for him."
    What did Hussain (A.S) whisper in Ali Asghar's ear? What made Ali Asghar stop crying, and to smile? Hussain (A.S) had whispered:
    "My son, Ali Asghar, do you want to come to the battlefield with me? Asghar, do you want to show your strength on the battlefield? Come, let us go, my little soldier, Asghar."
    Umme Rubab changed Ali Asghar's clothes.
    Imam Hussain (A.S) carried Ali Asghar to the battlefield. It was very hot. Ali Asghar was thirsty. Hussain (A.S) covered baby Ali Asghar with his Cloak, to protect him from the scorching sun.
    Yazid's men saw Hussain (A.S) approaching with something in his hand.
    "Look, Hussain (A.S) is coming with the Quran. He has no one left to help him. With the help of the Quran he is hoping to win."
    Hussain (A.S) walked to Yazid's soldiers. By moving his Cloak he uncovered Ali Asghar.
    He held Ali Asghar high with both his hands and said:
    "O soldiers of Yazid, you feel I have offended you, but what has this little child done to you? His mother's milk has dried up. He has not had a drop of water for three days. He is dying of thirst. I beg you to give water to this innocent little child."
    Not one of Yazid's soldiers brought any water for Ali Asghar.
    Once more Imam Hussain (A.S) said:
    Maybe you think that when you bring water for this child, I will drink it too. I will put this little child on the ground. You can come and give him water yourself."
    Hussain (A.S) placed Ali Asghar on the burning sand of Karbala.
    Ali Asghar lay quietly on the hot sand of Karbala. His turned his head and stared at Yazid's men.
    No water came for Ali Asghar.
    Hussain (A.S) picked up Ali Asghar and said:
    "My son Ali Asghar, my darling, you are too young to fight with a sword or a spear. My little soldier, you are a grandson of Ali (A.S). Ali Asghar, fight with your tongue."
    Little Asghar stuck his dry tongue out and moved it over his dry lips looking towards Yazid's men. He fought with his tongue.
    The little soldier shot a strange arrow - his dry tongue.
    It hit the hearts of Yazid's soldiers who had children of their own. They became restless. Some started crying.
    They spoke amongst themselves:
    "Hussain (A.S) is saying the truth. What has this child done to us? Why is he punished like this? Let us give him some water."
    Umar ibn Sa'ad got worried that his soldiers will turn against him.
    The little soldier's fight was very effective.
    Umar ibn Sa'ad ordered his best archer:
    “Harmalah! What are you waiting for? Silence the little child! Don't you know he is a grandson of Ali (A.S)? Hurry, shoot your arrow, before it is too late."
    Harmalah aimed an arrow at Ali Asghar. A small arrow for a little child? No! An arrow not with one head, not with two heads, but with three sharp heads.
    Why? Why an arrow with three heads for such a small child?
    My fellow Hussain (A.S)! You will not be able to stop crying when you hear what happened next.
    An arrow with three sharp heads flew across the desert of Karbala. It was heading for Ali Asghar. Hussain (A.S) saw the arrow coming. He covered Ali Asghar with his arms.
    The arrow reached Hussain (A.S).
    The arrow went through Hussain (A.S)'s arm and lodged in the tiny neck of Ali Asghar.
    Ali Asghar died instantly.
    Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar!
    Poor Hussain (A.S), the poor father, who came to get water for his little child.
    Instead of water, Ali Asghar got an arrow in his neck.
    What shall Hussain (A.S) do now? What shall Hussain (A.S) do now?
    Hussain (A.S) gently pulled the arrow from Ali Asghar's tiny neck.
    My fellow Hussain (A.S), put your hand on your heart and imagine the scene a father removing an arrow from his child's neck. What a tragic scene!
    Blood gushed out from Ali Asghar's neck.
    A voice came from the ground:
    "No, Hussain (A.S), do not let Ali Asghar's blood fall to the ground, otherwise no crops will ever grow from this earth." Hussain (A.S) looked up at the sky.
    A voice came from the sky:
    "No Hussain (A.S), do not let the blood gush towards the sky, otherwise, no drop of rain will ever fall from this sky."
    What shall Hussain (A.S) do now? What shall Hussain (A.S) do now?
    The sky is refusing, the earth is not happy to accept Asghar's blood.
    Poor Hussain (A.S) wiped Ali Asghar's blood on his face.
    Hussain (A.S) started walking towards his tents.
    He saw Ali Asghar's mother - Umme Rubab - standing by his tent. A mother anxiously waiting for her baby.
    Hussain (A.S) thought:
    "How can I face Umme Rubab? What shall I tell her? How can I tell her that her baby has been martyred without water? How? How?"
    Seven times, Hussain (A.S) went forward and then turned back, Saying:
    "INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ELAIHE RAJEOON."
    He finally reached the tent where Umme Rubab was standing. "Rubab, come and take your Ali Asghar. Rubab, your little soldier has died for the sake of Allah."
    Umme Rubab took her little child, Ali Asghar. She hugged him and cried.
    "Come with me Rubab. Enough, Rubab, enough. Let us bury our baby Asghar"
    Hussain (A.S) and Umme Rubab walked to the back of the tents.
    Hussain (A.S) dug a small grave with his sword, the Zulfiqar.
    Umme Rubab placed Ali Asghar in the small grave.
    My fellow Hussain (A.S) why should we not cry tonight?
    Have we ever heard of any other father and mother digging a grave and burying their own child?
    Where can Hussain (A.S) get water to sprinkle on Ali Asghar's grave? There is no water to sprinkle on Ali Asghar's grave.
    Hussain (A.S) sat by the grave crying.
    Tears poured on the grave. Ali Asghar's grave was sprinkled with Hussain (A.S)'s tears.

    Derived from Almujtaba Islamic articles page.

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