STRADA PLACIDO: Ashura Pt.2 -The Karbala Tragedy

Salaamaleykum...

i thought i will separate this form the earlier post to make sure ppl wont fall asleep reading my blog.
This is really interesting.I'm not sure if u have learnt this in masjeed or school...but i know, as a Sunni, this story is not commonly told..and very few people know exactly what happened in Karbala.As far as they are concerned...Imaam Hussain(as) was martyred in the battlefeild.
    As a muslim, we should know in detail what actually happened to the beloved grandson of our beloved Prophet s.a.w.There's a lesson to be learnt from this tragedy.
    The story below is loosly based on a story i read on a Sunni page.So, dont worry about the story being biased.

       Yazid, the son of Muawiyah, was ruling the islamic state at that time.His rule was extremely un-Islamic.I'ill save the bashings, in respect of this Blessed day.
    As he know he's disliked by many, if not all, he made every leader give allegience to him.This included Imaam Hussain a.s., who was defiant.
    At the same time, the people of Kufa,Iraq, were getting dismayed at Yazid's rule...and they sent a letter to Imaam Hussain to ask for his leadership in starting a revolt against Yazid.Imaam took this offer with cautious.He at first sent his cousin to Kufa to verify the people's desire.
    When the Imaam's cousin reached Kufa, he was satisfieed with what he saw and made agreement with the people of Kufa.He then sent a message to Imaam Hussain that the people of Kufa are going to be waitng for him.But, after the message was sent, the people of Kufa had a change of heart (maybe by intimidation by Yazid)...and they killed the Cousin of the Imaam.
    Unfortunately, Imaam doesnt know of the martyrdom of his cousin, and continued his journey to Kufa with 72 followers and women and children of his household.
    On the way to Kufa, they encountered Yazid's forces.The Imaam and his group was forced to de tour to a valley in Karbala.Yazid's forces camped on the hills surrounding the valley..and cut off all supplies from entering the valley,including water.This went on for 4 days. The Imaam and his followers were reduced to hunger and thirst but they were not going to give in to Yazid's forces at any cause.Imaam Hussain is steadfast on his stand for justice and riteousness.
    On the Eve of Ashura(10th Muharram), the Imaam talked to his followers.He informed them that they are absolved from their allegiance to him..and that they are free to quietly escape from the valley in the vile of the darkness of night.However, his loyal followers where not going to leave their leader, they were determined to either hail victory with Imaam Hussain, or to kiss shahadat (martyrdom).
    On the morning of the Battle of Karbala, Imaam and his male followers put on their best cloths and nice scents, bid the women and children farewell and went off to battle Yazid's forces.Mind you, they had run out of food and water for 3 days already.
    One of the first martyrs of the war was Imaam Hussain's 17 yr old son, Ali Akbar (as).He fought bravely and managed to kill many of Yazid's soldiers, until he was marthred by a spear that plunged his back.
    During the battle, Imaam Hussain heard his 6months old son,Ali Asghar (a.s) crying for water.He asked the enemy soldiers to spare him a few moment to give water to the child.While the child was drinking, one of Yazid's man fired an arrow through the throat of Ali Asghar (a.s) and instantly killing him.Upon this, the Imaam held the childs lifeless body up towards the sky and said,
    "O Allah, this is the only one Ali Asghar. If there were a hundred like him, I would sacrifice them all, one by one, in Your Path. If this is Your Will, then Husain is satisfied."
Ali Asghar was buried beside his brother Ali Akbar.

    One by one, the small band of Muslim warriors met their Shahadat.The Imaam managed to kill hundreds of soldiers, until one point, when he was drinking water, an enemy arrow pierced his mouth.Soon after, many arrows showered on the body of the Imaam, including his forehead, where the Holy Prophet s.a.w.,so passionately kissed.
    As he lay dying, Asr time approached.He asked Yazid's men to spare him some time so that he could complete his Asr' prayers- as he had never missed any prayers in his life time.While in sajda, one of Yazid's man, Sinan bin Anas, stroke off the head of Imaam Hussain.
    The head of Imaam Hussain was paraded to Yazid's palace in Damascus,Syria along with the women and children of the Noble Family.The women folk were forced to remove their veil.

    Upon hearing the news of the Shahadat and the humiliation of the Ahl ul-Bait(Noble houehold), the people of Madinah revolted against Yazid.Yazid forces massacred everyone, including the remaining Sahabahs in Madinah.And caused much destruction to the City of Madinah and Makkah,even the Kaa'ba al-Sharif was attacked by Yazids' forces.

    It is stated in "Thareek-ul-Khulafa" by Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti (radi Allahu anhu) that, "When Sayyiduna Imam Husain (radi Allahu anhu) was martyred, for seven days the following conditions prevailed on earth:-

1. When the sun rose each day, there was a constant shroud of redness covering the earth as if the sun's rays came out in the form of a lifeless blanket.
2. There was a continuous scene of stars colliding with each other in the skies.
3. His martyrdom took place on the 10th of Muharram 60 A.H. and on this day there was a total eclipse of the sun.
4. From about six months prior to his martyrdom, a strange redness enveloped the horizon of the skies, which gradually disappeared, and such a phenomenon was never witnessed again.
5. On the day of his martyrdom, beneath every stone in Baitul Muqaddas, there appeared fresh blood.
6. Grass and straw that was used in the oppressor's army (i.e. Yazid's army) had all suddenly turned to burnt out ashes.
7. The oppressor's army had slaughtered a female camel to feed the soldiers. From the meat of this slaughtered animal, sparks of fire began to fly all the time.
8. When the meat of the slaughtered camel was cooked, it turned out to be bitter and poisonous.
9. One person who spoke ill about Sayyiduna Imam Husain (as) was punished by Almighty Allah in such a way that he was hit by two falling stars from the sky which diminished his power of sight progressively.

    The martyrdom of Imaam Hussain(as) taught us a very important lesson.It is better to die in honour, fighting for righteousnes and justice, to to live an oppressed life.Karbala also taught us to endure hardship and remain calm in face of the most difficult trials.

    Tell me now, why should all Muslims not remember this tragedy.

"EVERYDAY IS ASHURA' EVERY PLACE IS KARBALA"

Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Kerbala key gham men main,
Kya durey maqsad na dengey Saqiye Kausar mujhey

I am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of Kerbala
Won't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser (Imam Ali (A))
-Allama Muhammad Iqbal

Oh Allah, pour Your blessings upon Your Lover, Your Servant,Your Messanger Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his Household and his Companions, like You have blessed Your friend,Prophet Ibraheem (as) and his Household.