STRAIGHTPATHMONTHLY December 2011
17
of arrows, only a few companions
of Imam (A.S.) survived, while fifty
companions attained martyrdom.
(Tabari) Azdi says that Abu Janab, from
the clan of Bani Kalb, related to me
that in our tribe there was a man
named Abdullah bin Umayr, from the
clan of Bani Aleem. He had started
living in Kufa and owned a house on
the head of the well of Bani Ja'ad, from
the tribe of Hamadan. His wife, who
was from the clan of Umro bin Qasit,
was named Umme Wahab, the
daughter of Abd. He saw an army
parading in Nukhaylah preparing for
the battle against Imam Husain (A.S.),
the grandson of the Prophet of Allah
(S.A.W.).
Abdullah says that, "By Allah! I
had an intense desire to fight
against the polytheists. But now I
desire fighting those who have
decided to fight the grandson of the
Prophet. While my reward with
Allah would not be less than that for
fighting against the polytheists." Then he went to his wife
and related to her what he had heard and also informed her his
desire. She replied, "Verily whatever you have decided is
right. May your Allah guide you towards righteousness
in all your matters, go and take me too alongwith you."
He then withdrew and reached Imam Husain (A.S.) and
remained with him until Umar bin Sa'ad shot the arrows
towards them and his army followed suit.
Then Yasar, the retainer of Ziyad, and Salim, the
retainer of Ubaydullah bin Ziyad, stepped into the battlefield
and called out for combat. Hearing this Habib bin Mazahir
and Burayr (bin Khuzayr) stood up to reply, but Imam Husain
(A.S.) signaled them to sit down. Then Abdullah bin Umayr
Kalbi stood up and asked permission to fight them. Imam saw
him to be a tawny man with a tall stature, sturdy arms and
broad shoulders, he said, "In my opinion he is a fatal
match, then you may leave if you desire meeting his
challenge."
When Abdullah went towards them, they asked, "Who are
you"? Abdullah related to them his lineage and they said, "We
do not recognise you. Zuhayr bin Qayn, Habib bin
Mazahir or Buzayr bin Khuzayr should have come."
Yasar was standing with a naked sword near Salim. Abdullah
said, "O illegitimate son! Do you disdain fighting one
man? Whoever shall come to fight you shall surely be
better than you", saying this he attacked Yasar instantly and
striking him with his sword killed him. When he was engaged
in striking at him, Salim attacked him. Someone called out to
him saying, "This slave is lingering behind you." Abdullah
was heedless until Salim galloped upon him and he struck at
him with his sword. Abdullah st ɕэ