The Battle of Karbala

Imam Hussein left al-Medina al-Munawwara. He went to Mecca to perform the Haj. Yazid bin Mu'awiyah knew about Imam Hussein’s travel. He sent some spies to kill him.

So, Imam Hussein decided to leave Mecca. He said:

I don't want them to violate the Holiness of the Kaba.

Imam Hussein headed for Kufa. On the way, he heard that Ubaidullah bin Ziyad's guards killed Muslim bin Aqeel, Hani, Qais bin Mudhir al-Saidawy and others.

A thousand horsemen surprised Imam Hussein’s caravan. They prevented it from advancing towards Karbala. Then the military battalions came successively. Their number was four thousand fighters. Seventy persons came with Imam Hussein. They were his family and his supporters.

When Ubaidullah bin Ziyad's army asked Imam Hussein to surrender and to pay homage to Yazid bin Mu'awiyah, he said his famous words:

Abasement is far away from us!

Imam Hussein was ready to die a martyr for Islam.

On the morning of Muharram 10th, the Battle of Karbala took place. Thousands of fighters launched a savage attack against Imam Hussein and his companions. They faced the attack bravely. Strong fights took place. They astonished the enemies. Only seventy fighters were fighting from the early hours of the morning till afternoon.

All of Imam Hussein’s companions passed away. Imam Hussein was alone. Still he attacked Ubaidullah bin Ziyad's Army. He was fighting bravely.

Ubaidullah bin Ziyad's Army killed Imam Hussein. It beheaded the martyrs, tied their heads to the spears and burnt the tents. Then it took the women and children prisoners.

Al- Hussein’s Head

Shimr beheaded Imam Hussein and gave his head to Ubaidullah bin Ziyad.

The people saw Imam Hussein’s head. They felt pain because they did not support him.

Ubaidullah bin Ziyad ordered some guards to bring Mukhtar.

Seeing Imam Hussein’s head, Mukhtar said with pain:

Alas! Alas!

Then he thought about a revolution to punish the criminals.

Taken from Mukhtar al-Thaqafy by Kamal al-seyyed

Other links:

Imam Hussein’s Goals