A Probe into the History of Ashura

Description

The tragedy of Karbala is an unparalleled event of the history of mankind. The great sacrifice made by Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Holy Prophet, on Ashura (the 10th of Muharram 61 A.H.) and the steadfastness shown by him is a beacon of light for everyone who has faith in his mission and is keen for its success. When one studies the bewildering events of this incident, a number of questions arise in one's mind such as: What was the purpose of Imam Husayn's rising? Did he want to avoid taking oath of allegiance to Yazid or did he take this step-in response to the invitation received from the people of Kufa? Did he wish, in the current terminology, to bring about a revolution? Did he know that he would be killed or was he under the impression that his life would be spared? Did he act according to a predetermined plan or took decisions in the light of every new development? When he received the news of the martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqil while he (Imam Husayn) was on his way to Kufa why did he suggest to his companions to go away and leave him alone, and thereafter why did he approach various persons to assist him? Why did he ask all his companions during the night of Ashura to go away but also sent Habib bin Mazahir to the tribe of Bani Asad to seek their help? Why did he seek help from Ubaydullah bin Hurr Juafi in the palace of Bani Maqatil and why did he say to the sons of Aqil during the night of Ashura: "You should go away? It is sufficient that from amongst you Muslim bin Aqil has been killed?" Why did he seek help from Zahhak ibn Abdullah Mashriqi and his friend and Zuhayr bin Qayn, in spite of their strong refusal, and insisted and even expressed willingness that Zahhak ibn Abdullah should help him till the last moment and then go away? Does all this not show that Imam Husayn was not aware of the final result and had no definite plan in mind? Does the step taken by him not amount to endangering his life? Does a person, who knows that he would be killed, proceed towards death along with his kith and kin including the suckling? Many baseless answers and incorrect explanations have been given to these questions. Some have said that as the Imam was not prepared to take oath of allegiance to a person like Yazid and to recognize his unlawful government, he was obliged to leave Madina in a state of fear and reached Makkah. He considered Makkah to be a haven and intended to stay there, but the Kufians invited him and assured him of their assistance. Table of Contents Preface i Chapter 1: Regime of Mu'awiya 1 Chapter 2: Regime of Yazid 7 Chapter 3: Letters of the Kufians to the Imam 13 Chapter 4: Muslim bin Aqil proceeds to Kufa 15 Chapter 5: Martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqil 29 Chapter 6: Muhammad bin Hanafiya 39 Chapter 7: Causes of the rise of Imam Husayn 43 Chapter 8: Peace Treaty of Imam Hasan 47 Chapter 9: Who was Yazid? 51 Chapter 10: Why the Imam rejects to take the oath? 53 Chapter 11: Main causes of Rising of Imam Husayn 59 Chapter 12: Departure of Imam from Madina 61 Chapter 13: Merits of Imam Husayn 65 Chapter 14: Imam Husayn Encounters Hurr 77 Chapter 15: Arrival of Imam Husayn in Karbala 85 Chapter 16: Imam’s Sermon on the Night of Ashura 91 Chapter 17: Imam Husayn consoles Lady Zaynab 97 Chapter 18: Morning of Ashura 99 Chapter 19: Supplication of Imam in the Morning of Ashura 101 Chapter 20: Sermon of Imam to the Army of Yazid 103 Chapter 21: Negative Attitude towards the Tragedy of Karbala 109 Chapter 22: Tragedy of Karbala Remains Unforgettable 115 Chapter 23: The Sermon of Imam Sajjad in Kufa 125 Chapter 24: Imam Sajjad in the Court of Ibn Ziyad 133 Chapter 25: Journey of Ahlul Bayt to Kufa and Damascus 139 Chapter 26: Events of Karbala Remained Safe from Distortion 143 Chapter 27: Abu Sufyan Admits the Greatness of the Holy Prophet 145 Chapter 28: Exhortation of Imam Ali 149 Chapter 29: Tragedy of Karbala Remains Immortal 155 Chapter 30: Self Sacrificing Ladies 159 Chapter 31: History is Very Powerful 167 Chapter 32: Sermon of Lady Zaynab in the court of Yazid 171 Chapter 33: Benefits of History 175 Chapter 34: Divine Law is Unalterable 179 Chapter 35: Imam Ali's Sermon on Divine Law 183 Chapter 36: Invitation of the Prophet to His Kin 189 Chapter 37: Confident Companions of Imam Husayn 193 Chapter 38: Martyrs of Ale Abi Talib in Karbala 195 Chapter 39: Role of Islamic Training 199 Chapter 40: Allegiance of the Madinites to the Prophet 203 Chapter 41: Historical days of Madina 209 Chapter 42: Holy Family Returns to Madina 215 Chapter 43: Nauman Bin Bashir 217 Chapter 44: Tribes of Aws and Khazraj 223 Chapter 45: Authorities on the Event of Karbala 227 Chapter 46: Explanation of the Sermon of Imam Sajjad in Damascus 237 Chapter 47: Sermon of Imam Sajjad in Madina 243 Appendix I: Arrival of Jabir and Atiyya in Karbala 245 Holy Qur'an, the Key to Success 247 Appendix II: Day of Arba’een (40th day of Imam Husayn's Martyrdom - 20th Safar) 255 Muslims Ought to Understand Islam 256 Appendix III: Dr Iqbal on Imam Husayn 265