Anas Ibn al-Harith Ibn Nabih al-Kahili was an old man and a renowned sahabi who had met and listened to the hadith of the Prophet (S) and fought in his company the battles of Badr and Hunain. He, too, sought al-Husayn's permission to go and fight. H...

Anas Ibn al-Harith Ibn Nabih al-Kahili was an old ...

John63, a slave of Abu Tharr al-Ghifari, stood before al-Husayn (‘a) requesting him to grant him permission to fight. The Imam (‘a) said, “O John! You followed us seeking your good health, so you are excused.” But the old man fell on the Imam's feet...

John63, a slave of Abu Tharr al-Ghifari, stood bef...

'Abis Ibn Shabib al-Shakiri came to Shawthab61, a slave of Shakir. Shawthab was a sincere man whose house was always frequented by the Shi’as; it was there that they discussed the merits of Ahl al-Bayt (‘a). He said, “O Shawthab! What do you intend ...

'Abis Ibn Shabib al-Shakiri came to Shawthab61, a ...

Hanzalah Ibn Sa’d al-Shabami called out, “O folks! I fear for you the like of the day of al-Ahzab, the like of the people of Noah, of ‘Ad, of Thamud, and of those who came after them. Allah never intends to deal unjustly with His servants. O people!...

Hanzalah Ibn Sa’d al-Shabami called out, “O folks!...

Yazid Ibn Ma’qil57 called out, “O Burayr! How do you see what Allah has done to you?!” Burayr answered: “Allah has done very well to me while afflicting you with evil.” Yazid said, “You have lied, and before today you were never known to lie. Do you...

Yazid Ibn Ma’qil57 called out, “O Burayr! How do y...

When Wadih, a Turkish slave of al-Harith al-Mathhaji, received a heavy blow, he sought the help of al-Husayn (‘a) who came to him and hugged him. Having seen that, he retorted saying, “Who can be as lucky as I am when the son of the Messenger of Alla...

When Wadih, a Turkish slave of al-Harith al-Mathha...

Using poisoned arrows, Nafi’ Ibn Hilal al-Jamali al-Mathhaji shot arrows on which he had written his name50 as he recited these verses:51 I shoot it, and its tips trained In poison, on the wind borne, To fill the earth with shots, and the soul Is no...

Using poisoned arrows, Nafi’ Ibn Hilal al-Jamali a...

‘Amr Ibn Qarzah al-Ansari47 came and stood before al-Husayn (‘a), protecting him from the enemy and exposing his own chest and face to their arrows. Thus, al-Husayn (‘a) was not harmed. But when his wounds overpowered him, he turned to Abu ‘Abdullah ...

‘Amr Ibn Qarzah al-Ansari47 came and stood before ...

Salman Ibn Mudarib al-Bajali, a cousin of Zuhayr Ibn al-Qayn al-Bajali, came out and fought till he was killed. He was followed by Zuhayr Ibn al-Qayn who put his hand on al-Husayn's shoulder and sought permission to fight with these verses: Advance,...

Salman Ibn Mudarib al-Bajali, a cousin of Zuhayr I...

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...

After him, al-Hurr Ibn Yazid al-Riyahi came out accompanied by Zuhayr Ibn al-Qayn who was protecting him from the rear. Whenever one of them attacked and the situation became critical, the other would attack to rescue him, and they kept doing so for ...

After him, al-Hurr Ibn Yazid al-Riyahi came out ac...

Habib Ibn Muzahir heard what that rogue had said, so he responded to him by saying, “Do you claim that prayers are not accepted from the Prophet's Family but yours are accepted, you ass?!” Al-Hasin charged at him, so Habib slapped the face of al-Hasi...

Habib Ibn Muzahir heard what that rogue had said, ...

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...

‘Amr Ibn al-Hajjaj attacked from the Euphrates' side, fighting for a while. This engagement involved Muslim Ibn ‘Awsajah. Muslim Ibn ‘Abdullah al-Dababi and ‘Abdullah Ibn Khashkarah al-Bijli attacked him, causing a huge cloud of dust which, once diss...

‘Amr Ibn al-Hajjaj attacked from the Euphrates' si...

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...

Having heard his speech and his plea for help, al-Hurr came to ‘Umar Ibn Sa’d and said, “Are you going to fight this man?” “Yes, by Allah,” said ‘Umar, adding, “a fight in the easiest part of which heads will roll down and hands will be cut off.” Al...

Having heard his speech and his plea for help, al-...

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...