The Master of Martyrs on the Battle Field

When al-’Abbas was killed, al-Husayn (‘a) turned to see none to help him against his foes. He looked and saw how his family members and companions lied slaughtered on the ground.

He heard the wailing of the orphans and the cries of the children. As loud as he could, he called out, “Is there anyone who defends the sanctity of the Messenger of Allah?

Is there anyone who believes in the Unity of Allah and who fears Allah in our regard? Is there anyone who comes to our rescue and who wishes by doing so to please Allah?” The women's voices now grew even louder as they cried.1
 
Al-Sajjad (‘a) stood up. He was leaning on a cane and dragging a sword. He was sick and could hardly move, but al-Husayn (‘a) called on his daughter Umm Kulthum saying, “Confine him so that the world may not run out of the progeny of Muhammad (S),” so she took him back to his bed.2
 
Al-Husayn (‘a) now ordered his dependents to be silent, and he bade them farewell. He was wearing a dark silk jubba (long robe)3 and a florid turban with two tresses let loose on the sides and wrapped himself with the same burda (gown) which the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his progeny, used to wear, and was carrying his [Prophet’s] sword.4
 
He asked for a thawb (garment) which nobody wanted and which he put underneath his clothes so that nobody would be interested in it and, hence, in removing it from his body, since he knew that he was going to be killed soon.

They brought him small trousers but he was not interested in them since they were the outfits of ignominy,5 so he took a worn out garment which he ripped, placing its pieces underneath his clothes.6 Then he asked for wrapping trousers which he also tore then put on so that nobody would take them away from his corpse.7

1. Ibn Tawus, Al-Luhuf, p. 65.

2. Shaikh Ja’far al-Shushtari (may Allah sanctify him), Al-Khasa’is al-Husayniyya [Husayn’s characteristics] , p. 129. Among those who have documented his sickness during the Battle of Karbala’ are: Mis’ab Ibn al-Zubayr as quoted on p. 58 of Nasab Quraish and al-Ya’qubi on p. 217, Vol. 2, of his Tarikh. On p. 32, Vol. 2, of his book Maqtal al-Husayn, al-Khawarizmi says, “‘Ali Ibn al-Husayn, who was younger than his brother who had already been killed, was sick and unable to carry a sword..., etc.”

3. In his book Al-Kafi, al-Kulayni, commenting on the text on p. 105, Vol. 4, of Mir'at al-’Uqul ‘an Al al-Rasul, where Imam al-Baqir (‘a) is quoted, and also al-Alusi on p. 111, Vol. 8, of his book Ruh al-Ma’ani, commenting on the verse saying, “Say: Who has prohibited the embellishments of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants and the good provisions?” (Qur’an, 7:32), and so do both Ibn Hajar on p. 192, Vol. 9, of his book Majma’ al-Zawa’id and al-Khawarizmi on p. 35, Vol. 2, of his book Maqtal al-Husayn, all say that al-Husayn (‘a) was wearing a dark silk jubba on the day of ‘Ashura.

4. Al-Muntakhab, p. 315 (Hayderi Press, 1369 A.H./1950 A.D.).

5. Ibn Shahr Ashub, Al-Manaqib, Vol. 2, p. 222. al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 10, p. 305.

6. Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Mujma’ al-Zawa’id, Vol. 9, p. 193. al-Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 10, p. 205.

7. Ibn Tawus, Al-Luhuf, p. 69. al-Tabari, Tarikh, Vol. 6, p. 259.