History Books

When Zainab al-Kubra, daughter of ‘Ali (‘a),21 read his face, she felt upset on his account and took to consoling him and admonishing him to be patient although even the mountains could not match him in his patience and fortitude. Among what she said...

When Zainab al-Kubra, daughter of ‘Ali (‘a),21 rea...

When Ibn Sa’d sent the heads to Kufa, he remained with the army till the time of zawal on the eleventh day [of Muharram]. He gathered those killed from his army and performed the funeral prayers for them then buried them, leaving the corpses of the ...

When Ibn Sa’d sent the heads to Kufa, he remained ...

Ibn Sa’d ordered the heads to be severed from their bodies. They were distributed to various tribes that used them as means to seek favour with Ibn Ziyad. The Kindah tribe took thirteen brought by their envoy, Qays Ibn al-Ash’ath. The Hawazin tribe ...

Ibn Sa’d ordered the heads to be severed from thei...

Ibn Sa’d shouted, “Who volunteers to make sure that the chest and the back of al-Husayn (‘a) are run over by the horses?” Ten men stood up.1 Those miscreant “volunteers” were: Ishaq Ibn Hawiyyah,2 al-Ahbash Ibn Murshid Ibn ‘Alqamah Ibn Salamah al-Ha...

Ibn Sa’d shouted, “Who volunteers to make sure tha...

O father of al-Hasan! The one best to protect his neighbour, To you do I complain with overflowing tears, Let alone a great shame that overspread Wherein tears are part of my address. Should you overlook as you today see How Umayyah's offspring sough...

O father of al-Hasan! The one best to protect his ...

Abu ‘Ali, al-Muhsin Ibn ‘Ali al-Tanukhi, the judge, quotes his father saying, “Abul-Hasan, the scribe, inquired once about who the son of the mourner was. Nobody in the meeting place at Karkh6 knew the answer besides myself. I asked him, ‘What is th...

Abu ‘Ali, al-Muhsin Ibn ‘Ali al-Tanukhi, the judge...

Anyone who follows the path of the Infallible Imams, peace be upon them, will surely feel very grieved if he had the opportunity to spend the eleventh night at the grave of the oppressed Imam (‘a). Signs of disappointment and depression as well as g...

Anyone who follows the path of the Infallible Imam...

Then he (‘a), bade his family farewell for the second time, ordering them to be patient. He put on the outer mantles as he said, “Get ready for the affliction, and be advised that Allah Almighty shall protect and safeguard you, and He shall save you ...

Then he (‘a), bade his family farewell for the sec...

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 ...

When al-’Abbas was killed, al-Husayn (‘a) turned t...

Al-’Abbas 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 an...

Al-’Abbas could no longer bear life after having s...

Al-Husayn (‘a) stood to perform his prayers. It is said that he led the prayers' service before the survivors from among his companions. It was a special prayer called Salat al-khawf, the prayer said by one fearing for his life. In front of him stood...

Al-Husayn (‘a) stood to perform his prayers. It is...

When ‘Izrah son of Qays, who was head of the cavalry division, noticed how weak his fellows were and how they failed in their mission whenever they charged, he sent a message to ‘Umar Ibn Sa’d asking for more men. ‘Umar Ibn Sa’d said to Shabth Ibn R...

When ‘Izrah son of Qays, who was head of the caval...

When al-Husayn (‘a) saw that a large number of his companions had died, he took hold of his sacred beard and said, “Allah's Wrath intensified against the Jews for having attributed a son to Him, and His Wrath intensified against the Christians who ma...

When al-Husayn (‘a) saw that a large number of his...

When the rest of al-Husayn's companions saw the large number of those who had been killed from their camp, two, three, or four men simultaneously sought al-Husayn's permission to let them defend him and his ladies. Each member of these groups tried h...

When the rest of al-Husayn's companions saw the la...

‘Umar Ibn Sa’d advanced towards al-Husayn's troops and shot an arrow saying, “Testify for me with the governor that I shot the first arrow.” Others followed suit.1 Hardly any of al-Husayn's men escaped being shot at by an arrow.2 The Imam (‘a) said ...

‘Umar Ibn Sa’d advanced towards al-Husayn's troops...

Al-Hurr sought al-Husayn's permission to address the people, and permission was granted to him. As loudly as he could, al-Hurr called out to the Kufians thus: “O people of Kufa! A foolish and a bad example for others have you surely set when you inv...

Al-Hurr sought al-Husayn's permission to address t...

al-Husayn (‘a) called upon ‘Umar Ibn Sa’d to come forward. The latter very much hated to look the Imam (‘a) in the eyes. The Imam (‘a) said to him, “O ‘Umar! Do you really claim that you will kill me so that the bastard-son will make you the wali of ...

al-Husayn (‘a) called upon ‘Umar Ibn Sa’d to come ...

Al-Husayn (‘a) rode his horse and took a copy of the Holy Qur’an which he spread over his head then stood in front of those people and said, “O people! The Book of Allah and the Sunnah of my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah (S), are the arbitrator...

Al-Husayn (‘a) rode his horse and took a copy of t...

A number of men, including ‘Abdullah Ibn Hawzah al-Tamimi15, came charging in the Imam's direction. “Is Husayn among you?” shouted ‘Abdullah once, twice, and thrice. After the third call, al-Husayn's companions said, “Al-Husayn (‘a) is right here; wh...

A number of men, including ‘Abdullah Ibn Hawzah al...

Al-Husayn (‘a) called for his camel. Having mounted it, he called out loudly enough to be heard saying: “O people! Listen to my speech and do not rush till I admonish you with that which I owe you, and so that I tell you why I have come here; so, if...

Al-Husayn (‘a) called for his camel. Having mounte...

Having cast a look at the troops that resembled a torrent, al-Husayn (‘a) raised his hands to supplicate thus: “Lord! You are my trust in every adversity, my hope in every hardship! You are to me my trust and treasure for whatever afflicts me! How ...

Having cast a look at the troops that resembled a ...