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Imam Hussain a.s is the son of Ali ibn Abi ?alib and Fatimah Zahra (daughter of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w) born on 3rd Shabaan, 4th Hijri (10.1.626 AD). He is an important figure in Islamic History as he is a member of the Ahl al-Bayt (the household of Muhammad), as well as the 3rd Imam. Imam Hussain and his brother imam Hasan were the last descendants of Muhammad living during his lifetime and even after his death. Muhammad said that whoever loves them has loved him and whoever hates them has hated him. They were also declared as the "Masters of the Youth of Paradise” by prophet Muhammed and were the rightful successors of prophet after their father Ali ibn Abi Talib. Imam Hussain is highly regarded as a martyr by Shia Muslims as he refused to pledge allegiance to Yazd I the Umayyad caliph. He refused to pledge allegiance to what he considered the unjust rule of the Umayyad. As a consequence fearing bloodshed, he left his home town Medina with his sisters, daughters, sons, brothers, and the sons of Brother Hassan and headed towards kufa. He took a side road to Mecca to avoid being pursued and remained there for four months. He opposed Yazid I and declared that Umayyad rule was not only brutal, but also religiously misguided in Islamic History. In his view the integrity and survival of the Islamic community depended on the re establishment of the correct guidance. To convince Imam Hussain to come to kufa they sent him seven messengers with bags of letters of support by Kufan warriors and tribal leaders. Imam Hussain wrote back to the Kufans and told them that he understood from their letters that they had no imam and they wished him to come to unite them by the correct guidance. Then he headed towards kufa and on his path encountered the army of Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad, the governor of Kufa, led by Hurr Ibn Yazid Riyahi. It is written in Islamic History that when Hurr and his army initially met Imam Hussain on 4th Muharram, Hurr and his army were thirsty as they had been on rounds to capture Hussain for long period. Imam Hussain offered his storage of water to Hurr’s army. It is said that if He had not offered the water to Hurr and his army, the water in Hussian’s camp would have lasted until 19th day of Muharram. However, Hurr did not arrest Hussain, instead told him to set up a camp in Karbala and stop his journey to Kufa. Imam Hussain along with his family placed camps on the land of Karbala. They were also not allowed to set up tents close to the bank of the Euphrates. On the 7th day of Muharram, the water storage in Hussain's camp was finished so he requested ibn Ziyad's army to allow him and his family member’s access to water, but his request was denied. The water was stopped on him and his family until their death. Imam Hussain was killed along with his family in the Battle of Karbala that took place on 10th of Muharram in 680. He was buried on the land of Karbala along with his 72 martyr’s which today is the most visited place of pilgrimage to Shia Muslims. The day of his death is mourned as the day of Ashura till today’s date all round the world and will be continued forever till the end. His role in Islamic History is a momentous part that has exhibited a true meaning of love and sacrifice towards the religion Islam and the umah. For more details look our website http://www.adeelzaidi.com.
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Imam Hussain, Islamic History, Karbala,
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