Imam Hussain, the third Imam, was born to Fatimah and Ali in Medina and is known for his martyrdom in Karbala at the hands of Yazid's army. His early life was marked by profound love from the Prophet Muhammad, along with significant personal losses that influenced his dedication to justice and truth. As a leader, Hussain opposed Yazid's oppressive regime, ultimately leading to his tragic stand at Karbala, which has significant spiritual and historical implications for Muslims.

1. Imam husain (as)
The Third Imam
Name: Al-Hussain ibn Ali
Father: ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) the first Imam
Mother: Fatimah az-Zahra (a.s.), the daughter of the Holy Prophet
(s.a.w.s.).
Kunniyat (Patronymic): Abu 'Abdillah.
Birth: He was born in Madina in the month of Shaban in the year 4
A.H.
Martyrdom: He was martyred with his companions by the army of
Yazid in the month of Muharram 61 A.H. His tomb is in Karbala,
Iraq.
Siblings: Hasan ibn Ali, Abbas ibn Ali, Zaynab bint Ali

2. Birth
Second son of Fatima (sa) and ‘Ali (as) Husain (as) was
born on 3rd Shabaan, 4th year of Hijri (10.1.626 AD).
When the good news of his birth reached the
Holy Prophet,(saw) he came to his daughter's
house, took the newly-born child in his arms,
recited adhan and iqamah in his right and left
ears respectively and named him al-Husain(as),
in compliance with Allah's (Swt) command.

3. Husayn’s status with the All mighty
On the very day when Imam Husain(as) was born, Allah ordered angel Jibrail to
descend and congratulate the Holy Prophet(saw)
While descending, Jibrail passed over an island where the angel Futrus had been
banished, due to his delay in executing a commission assigned by ALLAH (swt). He was
deprived of his wings and expelled to the island where he remained for several years
praying and worshipping ALLAH (swt) and asking for His forgiveness.
"When the angel Futrus saw Jibrail, he inquired to where he was going. When Jibrail
replied: “Husain (as) the grandson of Muhammad is born, and for this very reason
Allah has commanded me to convey His congratulations to His Apostle.”
Thereupon, the angel requested: “ Can you carry me also along with you? Maybe
Muhammad (saw) will vouch for my case to Allah.”
Jibrail took Futrus along with him, came to the Holy Prophet, offered congratulations
to him on behalf of ALLAH (swt) and himself and referred the case of the angel to him.
The Holy Prophet said to Jibrail : “Ask the angel to touch the body of the newly-born
child and return to his place in Heaven.”
On doing this, the angel’s wings were restored by ALLAH’s (swt) command .

4. The sad revelation
However, angel Jibrail also brought some very sad
news that he conveyed to the holy Prophet. The
Prophet’s eyes became tearful and his happiness
turned into mourning.
The holy prophet Informed Imam Ali (as) and he too
began weeping.
When Fatima Zahra(as) inquired why was there
weeping instead of happiness, the Prophet gently
told her: “Jibrail descended from Heaven and with
the message of congratulations on the birth of your
holy son. He also revealed the painful news of the
martyrdom of my precious grandson Husain (as)
thirsty and hungry in the far off plains of Karbala "

5. ALLAH’s Promise
• Fatima Zahra(as) began to weep uncontrollably.
• She inquired: “"O my father! when would my son
be martyred?“
• The Holy Prophet replied “ When neither I nor you,
nor Ali or Hassan would be alive.“
• she inquired again,"Who then, O my father, would
weep over my Hussain?
• The Holy Prophet said:"The men and the women
of a particular sect of my followers, who will
befriend my Ahlul-bayt, will mourn for Husain and
commemorate his martyrdom each year in every
century."

6. Predicting Karbala
• A Report from the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (saw)
Umme Umme Salma, says that The Angel Jibrail brought
some soil from the land of Karbala saying "This handful of
soil is a trust with you." The Prophet (saw) smelt the soil
and said, "This soil smells of sadness, calamity and
tragedy."
• Umme Salma further adds, "The Holy Prophet (S) then
told me : "O Umme Salma! When this soil turns into
blood, you will know that my son has been martyred."
• The narrator says, "Umme Salma poured the soil in a
bottle and she used to look at it every day and say, "O
soil! The day you turn into blood shall be a great day (of
sadness)!"

7. Verses of the holy Quran about Hussain(as)
Imam Hussain (as) was still a child when several verses of the Holy Quran were
revealed either about or referring to him. One of those verses is referred to as the
verse of Mubahilah
• If any one disputes in this matter with you, now after (full)
knowledge Has come to you, say: "Come! let us gather together,-
our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and
yourselves: Then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah
on those who lie!"(3:61).
On the day ofMubahilah when a spiritual contest between Prophet
Muhammad(saw) and the Christians of Najran was set up to invoke the curse of
Allah (SWT) on the liars, Hussain (as) and his family were the only ones
accompanying the Prophet. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had orders from
Almighty Allah (SWT) through the verse of Mubahilah to take Hassan and
Hussain (PBUT) as his sons with him.

8. • Hussain (as) was one of the five people in regards to whom the verse
of Tat'hir (Purification) was revealed. He, his father, brother, and
mother were under the Prophet's cloak when Allah (SWT) revealed to
His Messenger:
Allah surely wants to keep the sin away from you, O People of the
House! And to purify you an absolute purification.
(The Holy Quran, 33:33)
This verse of the Holy Quran is clear proof of the
infallibility of this family and their separation from
all sins and mistakes.

9. In another verse, Allah (SWT) commands all Muslims to love those
closely related to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP):
"Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love
for my near relatives?"
(The Holy Quran, 42:32)
When the companions asked Prophet
Muhammad(saw) who these "near relatives" were,
the Prophet (saw) replied: "They are Ali, Fatimah
and their two children."

10. Imam Husayn’s childhood
Hussain (as) spent his childhood with Lady Fatima
Zahra (as), Imam Ali (as), and especially with Prophet
Muhammad (saw).
The love and affection Prophet Muhammad (saw) had
towards Hussain (as) was so unique that all the
companions were aware of it, had frequently seen the
Prophet express it, and evenhad heard him speak of
it repeatedly.

11. The extent of the love of Husayn (as) by
Prophet (saww)
In one account it has been said that the Prophet's
prostration took longer than usual in his prayer.
People came to the Prophet and asked, "Were you
receiving a revelation or order from Allah during
prostration?" Prophet Muhammad (saww) replied,
"No, my son Hussain had climbed onto my back; I
waited until he wished to come down." This is an
example showing how the best creature of
Allah(SWT) treated Hussain (as) while he was in the
best state of worship.

12. The Prophet’s flowers
The companions had seen Prophet
Muhammad (saw) repeatedly put Hassan (as) and
Hussain (as) on his shoulders and play with them. At
other times he would kiss Hussain (as) and say:
"Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain. May
Allah love him who loves Hussain.“
In other traditions the Prophet would say, "Hassan (as)
and Hussain (as) are my two aromatic flowers from
this world."

13. Prophet Muhammad (saww) said:
"Hassan and Hussain are masters of the youth in
heaven. Whosoever loves them has loved me, and
whosoever has animosity with them, is my enemy."
"You came to awareness by me; you found the right path
and were guided by Ali; you were given blessings
through Hassan; but your eternal salvation is with
Hussain. Be aware that Hussain is a door from the doors
of heaven. Whosoever has animosity towards him can
never enter heaven."

14. Zeid, the son of Harith, narrates:
I wanted to go see the Prophet (S.A.W.) regarding a task. I went to his house at night and
knocked on the door. The Prophet (S.A.W.) opened the door, while he had something
hidden under his cloak. I told him about my task and when we were finished, I asked
him: "O' the Messenger of Allah, what do you have under your cloak?"
He opened his cloak and showed Hassan (as) and Hussain (as). He said, "These are my
children and the children of my daughter." At that moment the Prophet (S.A.W.) looked
towards the sky and said:
"O Allah! You are aware that I love these two children, so You love them too, and love
those who love these two
The Prophet (S.A.W.) was invited to dinner. As he was walking with his
companions, he saw his little grandson, Imam Hussain (A.S.) playing in
the valley. The Prophet (S.A.W.) went forward to grab him, but he ran
away childishly. With a gentle smile on his face, the Prophet (S.A.W.)
started running after him until he finally caught him. He then put a
hand around the Imams neck, another hand under his chin, and
kissed him. The Prophet (S.A.W.) then said: "Hussain is from me and I am
from Hussain. May Allah love that person who loves Hussain."

15. Husain’s early years
Unfortunately, the sweet years of Hussain's
childhood were soon over. He was about seven years
old when the Prophet departed from this world.
The Prophet’s followers and companions began
jostling for power and position and completely
ignored his sayings and commandments

16. Prophet’s message is ignored when he passes
The Prophet's burial ceremony was not over yet, when the conspiracies
were applied to rob the caliphate from Ali,(as) -Husain’s (as)father.
People ignored all the numerous commandments and
recommendations the Holy Prophet had made in regards to his
successor.
The great event of Ghadir had been disregarded and
ignored, and despite Prophet Muhammad's (saw) frequent
emphasis on Ali (as) as his successor, his right for Islamic
governorship was usurped.
Even Fadak, a fertile land given by the Prophet to his
daughter, was seized from the Prophet's family by the
government.

17. The Prophet's (saw) beloved Husain(as) witnessed the harms and injuries caused upon his mother-Fatima (as)
over the conflicts of allegiance, and as a result, lost his mother at the age of eight because of the crisis.
The loss of his grandfather and mother on the one hand, and the oppression metted upon his father on the
other hand, were bothered Hussain' (as) dearly

18. During this turbulent time Hussain (as), followed the
path of Ali (as) and was determined to defend truth
with any opportunity he received, even though he
was in his youth.
He would warn people, in the best of manners, about
the alterations made to Islam after the demise of his
grandfather Prophet Muhammad (saw).
In one of the cases for example, the third Caliph had
exiled Abu Dhar, a close companion of the Prophet.
Although the Caliph had banned anyone from
meeting Abu Dhar, Imam Ali (as) Hassan(as), and
Hussain (as) all went to bid farewell to Abu Dhar to
express their support to this companion.

19. Hussain (as) was about 32 when the authority over
Muslims was handed back to its rightful owner, as
people paid their allegiance to imam Ali(as).
After some time, Imam Ali (as) migrated
to Kufah with his sons, and therein established the
new capital of the Islamic government. During the
span of his father's rule, Hussain (as) was a true
supporter and close assistant to his Imam and father
in all political and military stages. He showed his
utmost respect to his father and remained obedient
to his commands at all times.
•

20. Trained by the best
Hussain (as) was trained and raised by the greatest
defender of Islam-his father. From him he learnt the true
art of fighting with courage and bravery.
Hussain (as) was totally involved in the three wars during
his father's reign.
• In the battle of Jamal, Hussain (as) was responsible for
commanding the left side of the army of Ali (as).
• He also achieved the first victory for the army of
Ali (as) in the battle of Siffin, where he and his
companions freed the river Euphrates from the
clutches of Muawiya- son of Abu Sufyan
• He was a witness in the arbitration between Muawiya
and his father, Imam Ali (as).

21. Imam Ali (as) was martyred in the mosque of Kufa, on
January 27, 661 AD.
Imam Hassan (as), by the will of ALLAH (SWT) and the
recommendations of Pr. Muhammad (saw), became the
2nd Imam and leader of the Muslims.
He took the responsibility in leading the Islamic
society and in preaching the religion of Allah (SWT)

22. The greatest supporter of Imam Hassan(as)
• As in the case of his father, Hussain (as), continued to obey and
respect his brother, while remaining firmly obedient to him in
even the smallest matters.
• His manners and obedience towards his brother was so
exemplary that historians have acknowledged and recorded
many of the cases. In one example, they have recorded a
narration from Imam Baqir (as) as follows: "Due to the high
respect that Imam Hussain (as) held for his brother, he
refrained from walking ahead of or talking before his brother,
Imam Hassan (as).“
• When Imam Hassan(as) was chastised when he signed the
peace treaty with Muawiya, it was Imam Hussain(as) who was
the rock of support. He firmly believed that peace at that
time, was the key factor in Islam's preservation.
•

23. Hussain(as) becomes Imam
After the peace treaty, Imams hassan (as) and
Hussain(as) moved from Kufah to Medina, their birth
place .
In Medina, they continued to educate, enlighten,
interpret, and explain the commandments of
ALLAH (SWT) to the people. Not long after, however,
Imam Hassan (as) was poisoned and martyred by his
own wife on the urging of Muawiya.
As Imam Hassan (as) departed this world, the divine
position of Imamate was once again passed to the
most deserving. His brother Hussain (as) became the
next Imam in Islam.

24. Imam hassan (as) poisoned by his wife

25. Muawiya’s conspiracy
• Imam Husayn (as) was Imam for a period of ten years,
all but the last six months coinciding with the
caliphate of Muawiya.
• Imam Husayn (as) lived under the most difficult
outward conditions of suppression and persecution,
because religious laws and regulations had lost
much of their weight and credit, because of
Muawia’s Umayyad government in power.
• Secondly, Muawiya and his aides made use of every
possible means to shove awaythe Household of the
Prophet (saw) and the Shias, and thus destroy the
name of Ali (as) and his family.

26. Muawiya’s evil plan
Muawiya wanted to bequeath the caliphate to his
son, Yazid, who because of his lack of principles and
morals was opposed by a large group of Muslims.
Therefore, in order to quell all opposition, Muawiya
had implemented severe measures. Imam Hussain
(as)thus had to endure these days and to tolerate
every kind of mental and spiritual agony and affliction
forced on him by Muawiya and his aides.,until 60
A.H., when Muawiya died and his son Yazid took his
place.

27. Demanding the pledge of allegiance
• Muawiya had asked the distinguished among the
people to give their allegiance of support to Yazid, but
had not imposed this request upon Imam Husayn(as)
• He had especially advised Yazid in his last will that if
Hussain(as) refused to pay allegiance to him, he should
pass over it in silence, as Muawiya knew the
consequences which would follow if the issue were to
be pressed.
• But because of his egoism and recklessness, Yazid
ignored his father's advice and immediately after the
death of his father ordered the governor of Medina
either to force a pledge of allegiance from Imam Husayn
(as) or send his head to Damascus.

28. THE QUESTION OF ALLEGIANCE
The governor of Medina summoned Imam Husayn(as) and
informed him of the death of Muawiya and also demanded
his allegiance to his heir apparent-his son Yazid. Imam did not
answer immediately, but asked for time.
One of Yazid’s advisors- Marwan wanted an immediate
answer and urged the governor to kill Imam Hussayn (as),
Imam knew what would happen and he went prepared. He
made a signal and Imam’s brother Abbas and son Akbar
appeared from outside scaring off Marwan and his soldiers.
Imam Hussain (as) knew that this was not going to end and to
avoid bloodshed, decided to leave Madina for Makkah

29. THIS DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED BEFORE THE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY. AND
CLAN. SOME TRIED TO DISCOURAGE HIM FROM LEAVING.
UMM-E-SALAMA, ONE OF THE PROPHETS WIVES, CLUNG TO HIM AND INSISTED
HIM NOT TO GO. THEN TOLD HIM, QUOTING FROM THE APOSTLE OF GOD (SAW)
THAT HE WOULD BE MARTYRED. IMAM HUSSAIN (AS) INFORMED HER KINDLY,
"INDEED, I KNOW I AM GOING TO BE MARTYRED, MOTHER."
Imam Hussain (as) had a lengthy conversation with his
eldest brother Muhammad Ibn Hanafiyyah, who, wanted to
accompany him on this fateful journey. Imam, however, told
him to stay and send him the reports of everyday events that
passed in Madina during his absence.

30. The second person was Zainab (as) his younger sister, the wife of Abdullah son of Ja'far. When
she saw that Imam Hussain's decision was final she pleaded, with tears in her eyes, as she
spoke to him :
"Dear brother! After Grandfather, father, Mother and Brother Hassan (as), only you remain to
console my heart and of all of them it is only you who are left. I cannot bear your separation.
How can I stay here with unbearable worry and anxiety about what may happen? Is it not
possible that I might be of some service to you if I come along?"
Imam Hussain (as) replied: "No sister. You are a woman with a house, husband and
children to take care of. I am not the one to decide about your affairs. It is Abdullah
son of Ja'far who can give you the permission. As to myself, I have no alternative but to
leave."
Abdullah (who was ill) agreed to Zainab's accompanying her brother on the journey.
Not only this, he sent two of his sons Aun and Muhammad to accompany her by
saying; "Aun will represent his maternal Grandfather Imam Ali (as) and Muhammad
will represent his paternal Grandfather Ja'far-e-Tayyar."
Not more than a few hours were left for his departure when for the last
time he visited the graves of his Grandfather, the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (as), his mother, Bibi Fatima (as) & his brother Imam
Hassan Mujtaba (as).

31. ABBAS(as)
Just before Imam Hussain (as) left Madina, Ummul
Banin the mother of Abbas (as). Summoned all her four
sons (Abbas, Abdulla, Ja'far and Uthman) and said to
them:
"My sons you must remember that, Imam Hussain (as) is
your Master. If Imam or his sisters or his children get
injured or hurt while you are still alive, I will never
forgive you."
There were tears in Abbas's eyes as he promised his
mother that he and his brothers would lay down their
lives for Imam Hussain (as) and his children.

32. IMAM HUSSAIN’S (AS) TIMELINE FROM MADINA TO
KARBALA
4 MAY 680 AD- Sensing danger from Yazid’s
henchmen, Hussain (as) leaves his beloved home town
of Madina, in the company of his family and friends
and heads towards Mecca.
9th MAY 680 AD- Hussain (as) arrives in Mecca.
Whilst there, he receives thousands of letters of
support from the people of the city of Kufa, inviting
him to go to Kufa.

33. Imam Hussain(as) forced to leave Mecca
9th JULY 680 Imam Hussain (as) as the Imam of the
time has to respond to the invitation and thus sends
his cousin Muslim Bin Aqil to Kufa. Muslim arrives to
a massive welcome and sends word to Hussain (as) that
Kufans support him.
Meanwhile Imam learns that Yazid has sent his
agents to kill him in Mecca. To avoid bloodshed on
sacred land, Hussain (as) leaves Mecca, accompanied
by his family and friends, in the middle of the Hajj
ceremonies and journeys towards Kufa.

34. Ibn Ziyad tricks the Kufans into abandoning
Muslim Ibn Aqil
While Hussain(as) is en route to Kufa, Yazid’s
henchman ibn Ziyad, enters Kufa and threatens the
families of those supporting Hussain (as). He sends his
people to the homes of the kufans and scares the
wives that their husbands and sons will all be killed
and they will lose their source of income.
The strategy works and the women pull their family
members one by one. Eventually Muslim bin Aqil is
left alone, he is hunted down and martyred at the
hands of Ibn Ziyad.

36. HURR BLOCKS IMAM (AS)
• October 1 680 AD Imam Hussain (as) his family and
followers are accosted by Yazid’s 1,000 strong army
led by Hurr. Hurr was under orders not to let Imam
reach Kufa.
• Hurr and his army’ water supply had run out and they
were thirsty . When the Imam noted this, he asked his
followers to give them and their horses some water to
quench their thirst, knowing that the same enemy will
deny him water in the days to come-such was the
magnanimity of Hussain(as)
• Eventually the caravan moves forward until Imam
Hussain’s (as) horse stops at a desolate place and refuses
to go further. Imam (as) knows that this is his final
destination-The land of Karbala.

37. Purchasing land for their final resting place
October 2, 680 AD Imam Hussain (as), aware of what
would happen, meets the locals and purchases about 4
square miles of land from them, which would eventually be
the site for his and his family's graves.
October 3, 680 AD
4000 additional troops under the command of Umar
ibn Sa'd arrive and surround Hussain’s (as) camp,
completely cutting them off from the river Euphrates,
their only source of water.

38. Hussain(as) tries to avoid bloodshed
October 4, 680 AD Imam Hussain (as) tries to
dialogue with ibn Sa'd, stressing he has no desire to
initiate bloodshed and asks to be allowed to leave,
but ibn Sa'd refuses to relent. Meanwhile the
situation in Hussain's camp is becoming more and
more desperate due to the lack of water and fresh
supplies. The children are crying for water.
October 5, 680 AD The size of Yazid’s army swells
to 30,000 as more troops arrive and surround Imam
Hussain’s camp.

39. The situation gets worse
October 6, 680 AD
Imam Hussain (as) and his brother Abbas (as) use a tent
pole to dig a well, but their relief is short-lived as it dries
up. More enemy troops arrive
October 7, 680 AD
Fearing for the health of the women and children, Imam
Hussain (as) asks his brother Abbas (as) to conduct a
midnight raid past the Caliphate troops to bring back
water from the river. Despite a brief skirmish, Abbas(as)
brings back some precious water to camp, earning
himself the title, 'Saqqa', or water bearer. However, the
water is not enough to ease the thirst of the entire
camp.

40. Sa’d refuses to relent
October 8, 680 AD
Hussain (as) tries to reason with the commander of Yazid’s
army-Umar Ibn Sa'd. He asks Sa'd; "Don't you fear God on
the Day of Judgement? Don’t you know who I am?”
Ibn Sa'd's loyalty to Yazid is unshaken as Yazid has
promised him great rewards including the
governorship of Rey (modern day Iran), if he brings
him Hussain’s head

41. The last night
October 9, 680 AD
After a long, hot day in the desert filled with the cries of
children for water, Hussain’s (as) camp prepares for the attack
they know is coming.
Imam Hussain (as) gathers his companions and pleads with
them; "Whoever remains with me will be killed tomorrow; so
take advantage of the darkness and leave." He then extinguishes
all the lights in the camp to allow those who want to leave to do
so. His followers weep and reply, "Oh Hussain even if we are
killed and brought back to life and killed again, we will never
ever leave your side ".
Imam Hussain (as) sends a message to Ibn Sa'd asking to be
spared one last night so that they may supplicate and recite the
Qur'an. Ibn Sa'd reluctantly agrees and the Imam gathers his
followers together for one last sermon.

42. The day of Ashura
Friday October 10, 680 AD the day of 'Ashura' )
On what was to be his last day,Imam Hussain (as) and some of
his followers implore Umar ibn Sa'd and his troops not to shed
the blood of the Prophet's house. But ibn Sa'd replies by firing
an arrow into imam Hussain’s (as) camp.
Hurr, after a night of heavy contemplation and soul searching
realizes his error and switches sides along with with his son .
He leaves Yazid’s camp and approaches Imam Hussain(as) in a
state of humbleness, profusely apologizing for what he had
done. Imam welcomes him. Hurr’s son goes to fight and Hurr
soon follows, thus they became one of the first martyrs to fall
from Imam Hussain’s (as) side.
Despite their lack of numbers, the 72 brave ones fight
ferociously refusing to give up. However hunger and thirst and
being heavily outnumbered , the brave fall one by one.

43. Ali Akbar
Imam Hussain’s (as) 18 year old Son-Ali Akbar , asked
permission to go and fight. Imam Hussain tearfully (as)
accepts and bids him farewell.
When he faced the enemy it did not matter to the so
called Muslims that Ali Akbar’s face bore a striking
resemblance to his grandfather Prophet
Muhammad(saw), they were blinded by hatred and the
desire of rewards.
Ali Akbar fought valiantly, but finally fell with a
spear imbedded in his heart.

44. Imam Hussain(as) tends to his dying son – Ali Akbar

45. The Brave Abbas (as)
Abbas (as), Imam’s brother keeps on asking for permission
to fight. Imam Hussain (as) does not grant him permission,
Finally imam gives Abbas (as) permission not to fight,
but to try and get water for the children.
Abbas (as) , an elite and brave warrior trained by his father
Imam Ali (as), who had waited all his life for this day, bows
his head in humility and without a word, prepares to go.
Abbas (as) heads towards the river armed with just a
spear for defense. Yazid’s soldiers run away when they
see Abbas, well aware of his fighting power. Abbas (as)
reaches the river easily and fills the water-bag. He takes
some water in his hands to drink, but remembering the
thirst of his family, throws back the water.

46. Abbas enters the river to get the water

47. Yazid’s cowards attack Abbas (as) from
behind
• On the way back, As Abbas (as) passes through some palms
trees, the enemy too scared to confront Abbas from the front,
hide behind the trees and attack him from behind, cutting off
both his arms.
• The brave Abbas (as), determined to get the water back to
Sakina and the children, clutches on to the water bag with
his teeth, but the enemy rains arrows, one of which pierce
the water bag and another his eyes as Abbas (as) falls to the
ground with no arms to cushion his fall. As the water from
the bag drains away, so do the hopes of Abbas (as) quenching
the thirst of his beloved niece, Sakina.
• Imam Hussain (as) rushes to his dying brother and Abbas (as).
Abbas (as) requests his brother not take his body back to the
camp, as he was too embarrassed that he could not get the
much needed water back to Sakina and the other children.

49. Imam Hussain(as) comforting Abbas (as)

50. Ali Asghar
Imam Hussain (as), takes his thirsty six months old
baby son in front of the enemy and pleads for water
for him. The enemy responds by shooting a 3
pronged arrow (used to kill camels), which slices
through the tiny neck of the baby, killing him
instantly.
Imam Hussain (as) hesitantly returns to the tents,
taking steps forward and backward with the body of
his son, not knowing how to show the limp body to
the mother of Ali Asghar . The parents dig a small
grave behind their tent and bury their infant child.

53. Imam confronts the enemy
Finally Imam Hussain (as) is the last one left standing.
He bids farewell to his family. As he mounts his horse
and prepares to leave, his daughter Sakina holds on
to the horses legs. Imam Hussain (as) gets down and
comforts the crying little girl. Eventually Sakina falls
asleep on her father’s chest,- something that always
did. Imam Hussain (as) then heads to the battlefield.
After a valiant fight, a thirsty, wounded and tired
Hussain(as) finally falls on the battlefield next to his
dead comrades. The evil enemy then decapitate and
mutilate the imam’s body order to send souvenirs to
their master Yazid.

55. The Martyrs of Kabala
In less than half a day on the 10th of Muharram 680
A.D. on the hot desert sands of Karbala, Imam
Hussain(as), and 72 of his family and friends, were
martyred under most gruesome circumstances.
The martyrs were beheaded & their heads were put
on spears, while their corpses were trampled upon by
horses and left unburied, on the sands of Karbala.
Ali Asghar, the 6 month old baby was not spared
either, as the enemy dug up his small body and hung
his head on a spear- Such was the barbaric
demeanor of these people

56. The barbaric acts continye do not stop
The ordeal does not stop here, as Ibn Sa’d orders his men
towards Imam Hussain’s (as) camp. The Imam’s family
members were whipped, and beaten. Their tents were
burned down and their possessions looted. Imam’s
daughter Sakina was slapped and her earrings torn from
her ears. Amongst the prisoners were Husain’s sister
Zainab.
The only adult male survivor was Imam Zainul Abideen
(as) son of Imam Hussain (as) who was ill and could not
fight. He was chained with spiked iron collars pierced in
his neck, hands and legs. The captives were forced into a
long and arduous journey to Damascus, with little food
and water, all tied up in ropes. They were paraded in
front of Yazid and later imprisoned in Yazid’s dungeon.

58. Imam Zainul Abedin (as) in the burning tents of Karbala

60. • Imam Hussain(as), his family and friends sacrificed
everything that they had ,in their struggle against tyranny
and despotism and for upholding the human values of
truth, justice and liberty. Their struggle was aimed at the
ultimate goal of awakening human beings of all times to
uplift the human spirit beyond short-sighted materialistic
pursuits, and establish a just and equitable order in
society.
• Imam Hussain(as), explains the mission of his sacrifice in his
own words, extracted from a farewell letter written to his
brother Mohamed Hannafiyah:
“I have taken this stand not out of arrogance or pride,
neither out of mischief or injustice. I have risen to seek
reform in the community of my grandfather. I would
like to bid good, forbid evil, and follow the tradition of
my grandfather Muhammad(as) and my father Ali (as)

62. What the says about Imam Hussain(as)

66. Imam Hussain’s (as) sayings