STRAIGHTPATHMONTHLY December 2011
34
When he saw the gathered armies and their intentions he
thought that Imam a.s would not have been in this situation
had he not curtailed the journey of Imam a.s.
Hur threw himself at the feet of Imam Hussain a.s and
pleaded for forgiveness for putting the Imam and his followers
in fatal jeopardy. Before coming to the Imam a.s Hur had
asked his slave to tie his hand with a rope, so he can approach
Imam a.s as a criminal. Imam Hussain a.s, being the
supremely merciful man that he was, embraced Hur saying,
"Hur, I forgive you, I assure that my grandfather, the Holy
Prophet also forgives you".
Hur then asked the Imam a.s if he would permit him to
fight the enemies of Islam and the Imam a.s, being the most
gracious of hosts, said, "Hur, you are my guest. How can I let
you die for me?" Hur insisted and the Imam a.s granted him
his wish. From that point on, Hur fought on the side of Imam
Hussain a.s and was killed while trying to keep Islam in its
purest form. When Hur died, Imam reached his body and
prayed to Allah s.w.t to commend this brave man who gave his
life for Islam. The story of Hur is one of a battle between Noor
and Zulamat and the prevalence of the power of an Islamic
conscience over a human mind.
***
AUN AND MUHAMMAD IBN ABDALLAH IBN JAFFER
TAYYAR
by Akil Kanani
Aun and Muhammad were the sons of Bibi Zainab
(as). They had not accompanied Bibi Zainab when she left
Madina with Imam Hussain (as). Just before Imaam Hussain
started his journey from Mecca, Hazrat Abdullah ibne Jaffer
brought his two sons to Mecca and handing them over to
Imam Hussain said, "Ya Imam, since you have decided to
go and will not allow me to come with you, please take
my two sons with you. Aun will represent his maternal
grandfather Hazrat Ali (A) and the other will represent
his paternal grandfather Hazrat Jaffer-e-Tayyaar".
Aun and Muhammad were quite young. It is reported that
Aun was about thirteen and Muhammad was a year or two
younger. They had learned the art of fencing from their uncle,
Hazrat Abbas. On the night before Ashura Bibi Zainab (as)
said to them, "My sons, tomorrow there will be a battle. I
can not ask you to fight because you are young. But if
anything happens to Imaam Hussain, while you are still
alive, I will be filled with shame." Both the boys stood up
and said "Mother, we have the blood of Ali and Jaffer in
our veins. Our grand fathers were warriors whose fame
will always be remembered. Do you think we can
possibly shame them? More over we are the pupils of
Uncle Abbas. Mother, unless you forbid us and stop us
from fighting, we shall go to the battlefield and show the
enemies of Islam how bravely the children of Islam can
fight. All we want from you is a promise that you will
never weep for us. Our souls will never rest in peace if
you grieve for us after we are gone".
Tears of joy and pride flowed down Bibi Zainab's
eyes as she embraced her two boys. In the morning during the
general attacks from the enemy, Aun and Muhammad fought
side by side with Ali Akber, Qasim and Hazrat Abbas. Every
time either of them succeeded in felling an enemy, he would
look proudly at Hazrat Abbas who would smile and nod his
approval. Imam Hussain would not however, give the two
boys permission to go for single combat. They were very
disappointed. They came to their mother for help. Bibi Zainab
sent someone to request Imam Hussain to come to her tent.,
When the Imam came Bibi Zainab said, "Hussain, at the
battle of Siffeen Abbas was only eight years old. When he
saw someone trying to attack you, he rushed into the
battle field and killed the man. Do you remember how
proud our father Ali was? Today I too want to be proud
of my sons. I want to see them go out there and defend
Islam. Will you not allow me that privilege?" Imam
Hussain stood there in silence. He looked at his sister. He saw
the disappointment on her face. He saw tears forming around