Blessed Life of Imam Hussain Radi Allahu Anhu

[shaikh_samee]

Sayyeduna Imam Hussain Radi Allahu Anhu

Blessed Birth

Just as the prophecy of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam has stated, Hazrat Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu was born in the month of Sha’baan-ul-Muazzam in 4 Hijri. There is some difference of opinion regarding the exact date of birth; it was 3rd, 4th or 5th of Sha’baan. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam was extremely happy on hearing the news of Imam Hussain’s birth. He took the baby in his arms and gave the Adhaan in his right ear and Iqaamah in his left, and also gave his blessed tongue in his mouth to ++++ (absorb). On the seventh day, he sacrificed two sheep for the Aqeeqah and named his grandson as Hussain.

The Blessed Name and Family Lineage

His name was Hussain and kunniyat (nickname or pet-name) was Abu-Abdullah (father of Abdullah). Sibtey Rasool, Raihanae Rasool, Qurrat-ul-Ain, Sayyid and Tayyib are his titles. His family lineage goes as Hussain son of Ali son of Abi Talib son of Abdul Muttalib son of Hashim son of Abde Munaf Qarashi Hashmi.

Blessed Appearance

Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu was so beautiful that the Noor (light) from his blessed face would illuminate the surroundings. His blessed appearance had a unique resemblance with that of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam. It is stated in a narration by Hazrat Ali RaduyAllahu Anhu that Imam Hasan RadiyAllahu Anhu was identical with RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam from head to chest and Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu was alike from chest to the feet.

Childhood

Hazrat Abu Hurairah RadiyAllahu Anhu narrates that once they were with walking with RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam when he heard Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain crying. Upon enquiring the reason, Hazrat Fatima RadiyAllahu Anha replied that they are crying due to thirst. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam asked all those present if they had any water but none had any. He then asked Hazrat Fatima to give one of the children to him:
"He took the child and cuddled him and gave his blessed tongue into the child’s mouth. The child ++++ed (absorb) it till he was satisfied and stopped crying. He then did the same with the other child till he too was satisfied and stopped crying." [Zikr e Jameel, Ibne Asakar, Tibrani]

Riding on the Shoulders of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam

Hazrat Osama bin Zaid RadiyAllahu Anhu narrates that one night I visited RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and saw him carrying something on his back which I could not recognise. When I finished my task I enquired, ‘What are you carrying Ya RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam?’ RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam moved the cover and I saw that he was carrying Imam Hasan and Hussain. He then said, ‘O Allah! These two are my sons and the sons of my daughter. O Allah! I love them and love those who love them.’ [Tirmidhi, Mishkat]

Choose Between Son and Grandson

Once RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam was carrying Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu on his right shoulder and his son Hazrat Ibrahim RadiyAllahu Anhu on his left. Just then Hazrat Jibraeel Alaihis Salam arrived and requested, ‘Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala will not let both these children live with you and He wants to recall one of them. You can chose whom you want to keep.’ RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam replied, ‘If Hussain passes away then I will be hurt as well as Fatima and Ali [RadiyAllahu Anhuma] but if Ibrahim dies, then only I will suffer the most. And so I will prefer Hussain to live.’ Three days after this incident occurred, Hazrat Ibrahim RadiyAllahu Anhu passed away. After that whenever Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu came to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, he used to kiss his forehead and say, ‘Welcome O Hussain! I have sacrificed my son upon you.’ [Shawahidun Nabuwwat]

RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam Interrupted His Speech

Hazrat Buraidah RadiyAllahu Anhu narrates that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam was once delivering a sermon when Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain arrived walking playfully, both wearing red shirts. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam came down the pulpit and held them in his hand making them sit near him. He then said, ‘Indeed Allah has said the truth that ‘your wealth and your children are means of testing you.’ When I saw these two children walking in an unbalanced manner, I could not hold myself and interrupted my speech to support them.’

Support of Hazrat Jibraeel Alaihissalam

One day Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain started to wrestle. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam was watching and saying, ‘Hasan, hold Hussain.’ Upon hearing this Hazrat Fatima RadiyAllahu Anha said, ‘Ya RasoolAllah! You are helping Hasan when Hussain is younger.’ RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam replied, ‘Jibraeel is helping Hussain.’ [Shawahidun Nabuwwat]

A villager once came to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and gifted him a baby deer. After a short while Imam Hasan arrived upon which RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam gave the baby deer to him. When Imam Hussain saw the baby deer he enquired, ‘O brother! Where did you get that from?’ ‘Our grandfather gave it to me’ replied Imam Hasan. Imam Hussain quickly ran to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and demanded a baby deer. RasoolAllah tried to console him but Imam Hussain would not listen and was close to tears. Just then a deer arrived and said, ‘a villager presented one of my babies to you and now according to the command from Allah, I have come to present my second baby for Hussain as he was asking for it.’ [Raudhtus Shuhda]

Clothes from Jannah

It is narrated that on the night of Eid, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain came to their mother and said, ‘Tomorrow is Eid and all the children in Madinah will be dressed up in new clothes. Will the grandchildren of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam not wear new clothes?’ Hazrat Fatima RadiyAllahu Anha was filled with emotions upon hearing the requests from her children and she promised them that they would wear new clothes. Hazrat Fatima, the leader of the women of Paradise prayed Salaah, and then raised her hands to the Lord of the Worlds and requested, ‘O Allah! I have promised my children and now I leave it up to You to fulfil my promise.’

Just then she heard a knock on the door. Hazrat Fatima enquired, ‘Who is it?’ ‘The tailor of the family of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam has brought some new clothes for his children’ replied the voice from outside. Sayyidah Fatima dressed the children in them the next morning. When RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam arrived he asked, ‘Do you know where the clothes were from and who brought them?’ ‘O Father! I don’t know, please tell me’ replied Hazrat Fatima. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam said, ‘That was Jibraeel who got the clothes from Jannah upon the order from Allah Ta’ala.’ [Raudhtus Shuhda]

Who Will Decide?

Hazrat Allama Nusqi Rehmatullahe Alaih narrates that once Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain each wrote something on two separate slates. Each one claimed that his handwriting was better. To get the verdict they went to their father Hazrat Ali RadiyAllahu Anhu. Hazrat Ali who made major decisions in his life could not decide on this as he did not want to hurt either of them, and so he directed them towards their mother. They went to Hazrat Fatima RadiyAllahu Anha, who upon seeing the situation, felt the same as their father and directed them to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, the greatest and most exalted decision maker in the world, did not want to decide in favour of one of them either, and in turn hurt the feelings of the other. So he said that the decision will be made by Hazrat Jibraeel Alaihis Salaam. Hazrat Jibraeel soon arrived and said, ‘The decision will be made by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and for that I have brought an apple from Jannah on His instruction. I will now throw this in the air and whichever slate it falls on will be the winner. When the apple was thrown in the air, it split into two halves and one half fell on one slate and the other half on the other, thus deciding that both handwritings were equally good.’ [Nuzhatul Majalis]

Protection By An Angel

One day Hazrat Fatima RadiyAllahu Anha came to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam in a very distressed state. Upon seeing this RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam enquired as to the reason. Hazrat Fatima replied that she could not find both her children. Just then Hazrat Jibraeel arrived and informed RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam that the children were sleeping at a certain place and that an Angel was protecting them.

When RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam reached the place, he saw an Angel who had spread one of his wings below the children whilst covering them with the other wing. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam then took one on each shoulder and started to walk. On the way he met Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique RadiyAllahu Anhu who requested RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam to give one of the children to him. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam smiled and replied, ‘Look, their ride is so exalted and so are the riders.’ Upon reaching the Masjid, RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam announced to the companions present there, ‘Shall I show you the people who are best amongst the creations?’ The companions responded, ‘Surely, inform us Ya RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam.’

RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam declared, ‘The maternal grandparents of these children.’ The companions testified. He then continued, ‘I am their maternal grandfather and Khadijah is their maternal grandmother, we are the best. Then their parents are best and they are Ali and Fatima RadiyAllahu Anhuma. Then their uncle and aunt are the best. Their uncle is Hazrat Ja’far and the aunt is Umme Haani [RadiyAllahu Anhuma]. Then their maternal aunts and maternal uncles are the best. The maternal aunts are Hazrat Umme Kulsoom, Hazrat Ruqaiyyah and Hazrat Zainab [RadiyAllahu Anhum] and their maternal uncles are Hazrat Abdullah Tayyib wa Taahir, Hazrat Qasim and Hazrat Ibrahim [RadiyAllahu Anhum]. [Nuzhatul Majalis]

Intelligence of Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu

One day Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu had a guest. After the meal the guest asked for something to drink, upon which Imam Hussain enquired as to what drink he would like? The guest indicated that he wanted a drink which if not available is more precious than ones life and when one does have it, it is of no value. Imam Hussain told his companions that the guest is referring to water. Those present were astonished with his intelligence. [Istiqamat, Dec 1979 issue]

Did Not Decline His Wish

Imam Hussain once requested a camel from RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam when he was in the Masjid. Upon hearing the request, RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam went on his hands and knees and rode Imam Hussain on his back. Imam Hussain further commented that the camels generally have reins and my camel does seem to have one. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam gave his blessed hair in his hands. Imam Hussain further went to say that the camels of Madinah seem to speak. On this wish, RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam started to make noise like that of camels. [Istiqamat, Dec 1979 issue]

Sustenance Is On Its Way

A very poor man came to Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu and pleaded, ‘O beloved of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, I am a destitute and have nothing to feed myself or my children, so please give me some of your dinner. Imam Hussain reassuringly said, ‘Please sit down and wait, my sustenance is on its way.’ Soon after a man arrived and handed over five bags, each bag containing some thousand dinars to Imam Hussain and said, ‘This is from Hazrat Ameer Mu’awiyah RadiyAllahu Anhu and he has apologised that he sent you so little. He said to use this for now and more would arrive soon.’ Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu presented all the five bags to the poor man and apologised saying, ‘Please excuse me for making you wait for this long. This is all I have for now; hope it will be enough for you. We are the people of trials and we have abandoned our desires and forsaken our pleasures.’
Exalted Status of Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu

The virtues and merits of Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu are highlighted in many narrations, here we mention just a few in order for us to understand his high rank in the court of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasool Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam.

Hussain is from Me

Hazrat Ya’la bin Murrah RadiyAllahu Anhu reports that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam said;
‘Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain.’
[Tirmidhi Sharif]

This means that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu are extremely close to each other as if they are one. The remembrance of Imam Hussain is the remembrance of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, the friendship of Imam Hussain is the friendship of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and the enmity of Imam Hussain is the animosity of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam.

In one more tradition Hazrat Abu Hurairah RadiyAllahu Anhu narrated that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam said about Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain, ‘whosoever loves these two loves me and whosoever has enmity with them does so with me.’ [Madarijun Nubuwwah]

The Most Beloved

Hazrat Anas RadiyAllahu Anhu says:
‘RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam was asked about who was most beloved to him in his family? He answered ‘Hasan and Hussain.’ He used to ask Hazrat Fatima, ‘bring my two sons to me.’ He would then call them close and cuddle them.’ [Tirmidhi, Mishkat]


The Beloved in the Heavens

Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar RadiyAllahu Anhuma was sat near the Ka’aba when he saw Imam Hussain coming. Upon seeing Imam Hussain he remarked:
‘On this day, he is the most beloved amongst the dwellers of the earth to the inhabitants of the skies.’ [Khutbaat e Muharram]

Please Grant Something

Hazrat Fatima RadiyAllahu Anha once brought Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and requested, ‘Please bestow them with something.’ RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam generously declared:
‘For Hasan is my awe and leadership, and for Hussain is my courage and generosity.’ [Khutbaat e Muharram]

The Leaders of Paradise

Hazrat Huzaifa RadiyAllahu Anhu once asked permission of his mother to visit RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam to appeal to him to pray for their forgiveness. Hazrat Huzaifa says, ‘I came to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and prayed Maghrib behind him. After that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam engaged himself in voluntary prayers until it was time for Isha.

Then we prayed Isha after which RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam started to walk back from the Masjid. When he heard me, he said, ‘Is that Huzaifa?’ I replied, ‘Yes.’ ‘What brings you here? May Allah forgive you and your mother…

Indeed this was an angel who has never visited the earth before. He requested permission of Allah Ta’ala to visit me and convey his salutations and give me the glad tidings that Fatima is the leader of the women of Paradise and Hasan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise.’ [Mishkat]
Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri RadiyAllahu Anhu reports that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam said, ‘Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain are the leaders of all the youth of Paradise.’ [Tirmidhi]

Sweet Scented

Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar RadiyAllahu Anhuma narrates that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam said:
‘Hasan and Hussain are ‘Raihaan’ for me in this world. (Raihaan is a sweet-scented plant) [Tirmidhi, Mishkat]


Martyrdom Was Well-Known

The martyrdom of Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu was well known since his childhood. His blessed parents and many companions knew that one day he would be sacrificed and receive the highest degree of martyrdom.

The wife of Hazrat Abbas, Hazrat Ummul Fadhl RadiyAllahu Anhum says, ‘One day I visited RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam. I saw Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu sitting in his blessed lap and noticed the constant flow of tears from the eyes of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam. I pleaded, May my parents be sacrificed upon you Ya RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, what is the matter?’ He replied:
‘Jibraeel came to me and informed that one day my Ummah will kill this son of mine.’ Ummul Fadhl enquired, ‘will they kill Imam Hussain?’ RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam confirmed, ‘Yes, and Jibraeel even gave me the sand of the field where he will be martyred.’ [Mishkat]

Hazrat Anas RadiyAllahu Anhu reports that the Angel of rain asked permission of Allah Ta’ala to pay his respects to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam. When he arrived he saw Imam Hussain sat in the lap of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam who was cuddling and kissing him. The Angel enquired, ‘Hussain is most dear to you? Your Ummah will one day kill him. If you wish I can show you the field where he will be sacrificed.’ The Angel then got some sand from the field which Ummul Mu’mineen Hazrat Umme Salma RadiyAllahu Anha set aside in a safe place. In one narration it states that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam handed over the sand to Hazrat Umme Salma RadiyAllahu Anha and prophesised, ‘O Umme Salma, when this sand turns into blood then be certain that my son Hussain has been martyred.’ Hazrat Umme Salma says, ‘I stored the sand in a bottle and saw that on the day Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu was martyred, it turned to blood.’

Hazrat Sha’bi reports that at the time of the war of Siffin, he and Hazrat Ali RadiyAllahu Anhu passed through the plains of Karbala. At the banks of river Euphrates, Hazrat Ali stopped and enquired as to the name of the place. People said that it was called Karbala. As soon as he heard the word ‘Karbala’, a river of tears began to flow from his eyes which drenched the area around him. Then he said, ‘Once I came to RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and saw tears in his eyes. I enquired the reason for it and he replied, ‘Jibraeel just came to me and informed me…:

My son Hussain will be martyred at the banks of river Euphrates at a place called Karbala and he even showed me the sand from there.’ [Khutbaat e Muharram]

It is clear from the above narrations that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam prophesised the martyrdom of Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu right from his childhood. Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatima RadiyAllahu Anhum along with other members of family and companions knew that Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu would one day be killed and even knew where. But none of them prayed or requested RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam to pray for Imam Hussain to be protected from this calamity. This is because they were aware that Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu would be tested and it was more appropriate to pray for steadfastness in trials, rather than to be spared from it.


Imam Hussain in the Holy Qur’an

Mubahila

The excellence of Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu is also implied in the Holy Qur’an in the incident of Mubahila. Let us look at the incident in detail.

The root word of Mubahila is ‘Bahl’ which means dua, humbleness, and curse.

Mubahila is practiced to prove a point. When two groups do not agree with to each other and all other methods such as debate fails, then they take the extreme step of Mubahila. Both groups meet at a destined place with their close family members and curse each other. Whoever is on the right is saved and the other group is perished. Mubahila was only practiced by RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam against the unbelievers. Now let us see what the Holy Qur’an mentions about Mubahila.

Verse Regarding Mubahila

Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qu’ran:
“Then O beloved! Whoever disputes with you about Isa after knowledge has come to you, then tell them, 'come, let us call our sons and your sons our women and your women and our souls and your souls, then let us pray earnestly, and so lay the curse of Allah upon the liars.” (Surah Aal e Imran Verse 61)

This verse was revealed in relation to the Jews of Najraan, who came to argue with RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam over Hazrat Isa Alaihis Salaam. Najraan is a large well-established city near Madinah Munawwarah towards Yemen. It has been named after Najraan bin Zaid. This city was like a headquarter for the Christians with over seventy three villages in its radius of influence. In the city was a prominent church which the Christians considered as their Qibla and many of their well-known scholars lived there. A year before RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam passed away from this world, a group of about sixty people from there came to see him at Madinah Munawwarah. The lord bishop of the time, Abu Harisa was also amongst them. Twenty four out of the sixty were the cream of their community and out of the twenty four, three were very significant. One of them was Abdul Maseeh without whose consent, his people would not do anything; the other was the treasurer who would look after the finances of the community and the third was Abu Harisa who was the highest ranking scholar amongst them.

They reached Madinah at the time of Asr, wearing the most elegant clothes ever seen by the people of Madinah. They went straight to Masjid un Navbi Sharif where people were offering their Asr Salaah. They too started praying by turning towards the west. RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam indicated to the companions to let them complete their prayer. [Tafseer e Na’eemi]

Bagwi states that when RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam recited the above Ayah and invited them for mutual imprecation (Mubahila), they hesitated and requested some time to think over it. Aaqib, who was most intelligent amongst them said, ‘O brothers in Christianity, you know very well that Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam is the true Prophet. History teaches us that whenever a group came face to face with any Prophet for Mubahila, they all perished, and if you chose to do the same then you too will perish. So my advice is to reconcile with Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and return home.

Early next morning, RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam left his house carrying Imam Hussain whilst Imam Hasan RadiyAllahu Anhuma was walking holding his finger; Hazrat Fatima RadiyAllahu Anha walking behind him and Hazrat Ali RadiyAllahu Anhu was walking behind Hazrat Fatima. So as mentioned in the verse above, RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam took Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhuma as his sons.

When the Christians saw this sight, one of the scholars cried out, ‘O brothers, I see the faces, which if they raise their hands in prayers, the Almighty Lord will move mountains from their places. Therefore do not face the Prophet and return or else there will be no Christians left on this earth. [Tafseer e Mazhari]

Ponder the fact that it was decided that for the Mubahila, each group would bring their women and children with them. At this point, RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, from all the members of his blessed family chose Hazrat Fatima, Hazrat Ali, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhum. Thus the Ummah will always remember Imam Hasan RadiyAllahu Anhu and Imam Hussain RadiyAllahu Anhu as the sons of RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam as he himself called them his sons.