STRAIGHTPATHMONTHLY December 2011
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asked him as to was he the one referred to (regarding it in
their books), and he replied in the negative, and then when
Imam Husain (A.S.) passed by us, we asked him the same
question and he replied in the affirmative.
It is related that it was inquired from Imam Ja'far as Sadiq
(A.S.) that, "Please relate to us the state and the self
sacrifice of the companions of Imam Husain (A.S.)."
Imam replied, "The veil had been lifted off their eyes and
they saw their places in Paradise. Hence they excelled
one another in sacrificing their lives, so as to hasten to
meet the Hoories and be fondled by them and reach their
places in Paradise." This has been referred to in Ziyarate
Nahiyah. After quoting the names of the Martyrs, it is said,
"I bear witness that Allah lifted the veils off your eyes
and presented you with spread beds and enormous
gifts."
It is related through successive chain of narrators in
Ma'aniyal Akhbar from Imam Mohammad at Taqi (A.S.), who
relates from his Blessed Ancestors (A.S.) reaching Imam Ali
Zainul Abedeen (A.S.), who says that: When the matter of
Imam Husain (A.S.) turned severe, his fellow-travelers saw him
in a different state, unlike others. For as much as the severity
increased, the colour of their faces became pale and they would
shiver, while their hearts would be frightful. But Imam Husain
(A.S.), and some of his distinguished companions were
cheerful, at peace and tranquilled. They were telling one
another, "Do you not see, they do not fear death the
least." Imam Husain (A.S.) said, "Forebear, O sons of
noblemen! Death is nothing but a bridge, which would
take you from the place of hardship and severity to the
spacious Paradise and eternal bliss. Then who among
you is such that does not desire to be free from the prison
and hasten towards the palaces? While death for your
enemies is such, that they shall be transferred from the
palace to the prison and fall prey to the wrath of Allah. I
have heard my father Imam Ali (A.S.), who relates from
the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) that he said, that this world is
a prison for the believers and Paradise for the
disbelievers, while death is a bridge for them (believers)
to enter Paradise and for them (disbelievers) to enter
hell. I have not lied nor have I been told a lie."
Regarding the pagans of Quraysh and their mutiny in astray
and perdition, Allah says, "And indeed has come unto them
some of the tidings wherein is restraint (from evil),
Consummate wisdom, but (they) availed not (of) the
warnings."[61]
Similar was the case with the army of Umar bin
Sa'ad. Then the repeated speeches of our Master Imam
Husain (A.S.) and his companions, counseling them,
completing their proofs (to councel them) and eliminating their
error, but they were not benefited. Hurr bin Yazid joins Imam
Husain (A.S.) When Hurr saw that the people have resolved to
kill Imam Husain (A.S.), and when he heard Imam calling out:
"Is there none who would hasten to assist us in the name
of Allah? Is there none who would defend the Household
of the Prophet"? Then Hurr told Umar bin Sa'ad, "O Umar!
Then will you really fight this man"? He replied, "Yes, by
Allah! The battle, which if goes smoothly, will result in
the rolling of heads and cutting off the hands." Hurr said,
"Then is his proposal unacceptable to you"? Umar
replied, "If the situation would have been in my hands, I
would certainly have yielded to his request, but your
commander will not accept it." Hurr then left him and
stood alone far away from others, while his fellow-traveler,
named Qurrah bin Qays, was along with him. Hurr said, "O
Qurrah! Have you fed your horse today"? He replied in
the negative. Hurr said, "Then do you not desire quenching
it's thirst"? Qurrah says that I doubted that perhaps he
wanted to skip away from the battle and did not like that I
should see him going away, hence I said, "I shall now be
doing so." Hearing this Hurr moved away from there. Qurrah
says that, "By Allah! If only Hurr had revealed to me what
he intended, I too would have accompanied him to the
presence of Imam Husain (A.S.)." Then slowly Hurr started
moving closer to Imam Husain (A.S.). Muhajir bin Aws told
him, "O son of Yazid! What do you intend? Do you intend
to lay siege"? Hurr did not answer him but was shivering.
Muhajir said, "Verily your state seems dubious. I have
never ever seen you in any battle in a similar state in
which you are now. If I would have been questioned as to
who is the most valorous among the Kufans, I would not
hesitate to take your name. What is this state I presently
see you in"? Hurr replied, "I find myself between
Paradise and hell. And by Allah! I shall not exalt
anything else over Paradise, even if I be cut into pieces
or burnt." Then Hurr struck his horse (Malhoof) and turned
to go towards Imam Husain (A.S.)
Hurr had kept his hands on his head (like a prisoner)
and was saying, "O Allah! I am returning towards You,
thus You accept me, for I have put fear into the hearts of
Your friends and the children of the Prophet's
grandson." (Irshad, Kamil) Tabari says that when he neared
Imam Husain (A.S.) and his companions, he overturned his
shield and saluted them. Then he went to Imam Husain (A.S.)
and said, "May I be your ransom O son of the Prophet of
Allah! I am the one who had stopped you from returning
back and had accompanied you all along and had forced
you to alight here. But I had not known that these people
would directly refuse your proposal and bring you to this
present state. By Allah! If I had known that they would
do to you su