Table Of ContentA P R O B E I N T O
Ibrahim Ayati
T H E H I S T O R Y O F
A S H U R A
DR. IBRAHIM AYATI
Islamic Seminary Publications
A Probe into the History
of Ashura
Author
Dr. Ibrahim Ayati
Publisher
Islamic Seminary Publications
A history of the events leading to and including the tragedy of
Karbala, and its aftermath.
Title: A Probe into the History of Ashura
Author: Dr. Ibrahim Ayati
Publisher: Islamic Seminary Publications
ISBN: 978-0941724418
Year: 1996
E-book prepared by: M. Yahya Raza
Table of Contents
Preface ................................................................................................ i
Chapter 1: Regime of Mu'awiya ....................................................... 1
Chapter 2: Regime of Yazid .............................................................. 7
Chapter 3: Letters of the Kufians to the Imam ................................ 13
Chapter 4: Muslim bin Aqil proceeds to Kufa ................................ 15
Chapter 5: Martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqil ..................................... 29
Chapter 6: Muhammad bin Hanafiya .............................................. 39
Chapter 7: Causes of the rise of Imam Husayn ............................... 43
Chapter 8: Peace Treaty of Imam Hasan ......................................... 47
Chapter 9: Who was Yazid? ............................................................ 51
Chapter 10: Why the Imam rejects to take the oath? ...................... 53
Chapter 11: Main causes of Rising of Imam Husayn ...................... 59
Chapter 12: Departure of Imam from Madina................................. 61
Chapter 13: Merits of Imam Husayn ............................................... 65
Chapter 14: Imam Husayn Encounters Hurr ................................... 77
Chapter 15: Arrival of Imam Husayn in Karbala ............................ 85
Chapter 16: Imam’s Sermon on the Night of Ashura ...................... 91
Chapter 17: Imam Husayn consoles Lady Zaynab .......................... 97
Chapter 18: Morning of Ashura ...................................................... 99
Chapter 19: Supplication of Imam in the Morning of Ashura ...... 101
Chapter 20: Sermon of Imam to the Army of Yazid ..................... 103
Chapter 21: Negative Attitude towards the Tragedy of Karbala ... 109
Chapter 22: Tragedy of Karbala Remains Unforgettable .............. 115
Chapter 23: The Sermon of Imam Sajjad in Kufa ......................... 125
Chapter 24: Imam Sajjad in the Court of Ibn Ziyad ...................... 133
Chapter 25: Journey of Ahlul Bayt to Kufa and Damascus .......... 139
Chapter 26: Events of Karbala Remained Safe from Distortion ... 143
Chapter 27: Abu Sufyan Admits the Greatness of the Holy Prophet
....................................................................................................... 145
Chapter 28: Exhortation of Imam Ali ........................................... 149
Chapter 29: Tragedy of Karbala Remains Immortal ..................... 155
Chapter 30: Self Sacrificing Ladies .............................................. 159
Chapter 31: History is Very Powerful ........................................... 167
Chapter 32: Sermon of Lady Zaynab in the court of Yazid .......... 171
Chapter 33: Benefits of History .................................................... 175
Chapter 34: Divine Law is Unalterable ......................................... 179
Chapter 35: Imam Ali's Sermon on Divine Law ........................... 183
Chapter 36: Invitation of the Prophet to His Kin .......................... 189
Chapter 37: Confident Companions of Imam Husayn .................. 193
Chapter 38: Martyrs of Ale Abi Talib in Karbala ......................... 195
Chapter 39: Role of Islamic Training ............................................ 199
Chapter 40: Allegiance of the Madinites to the Prophet ............... 203
Chapter 41: Historical days of Madina ......................................... 209
Chapter 42: Holy Family Returns to Madina ................................ 215
Chapter 43: Nauman Bin Bashir ................................................... 217
Chapter 44: Tribes of Aws and Khazraj ........................................ 223
Chapter 45: Authorities on the Event of Karbala .......................... 227
Chapter 46: Explanation of the Sermon of Imam Sajjad in Damascus
....................................................................................................... 237
Chapter 47: Sermon of Imam Sajjad in Madina ............................ 243
Appendix I: Arrival of Jabir and Atiyya in Karbala ...................... 245
Holy Qur'an, the Key to Success ............................................... 247
Appendix II: Day of Arba’een (40th day of Imam Husayn's
Martyrdom - 20th Safar) ............................................................... 255
Muslims Ought to Understand Islam ........................................ 256
Appendix III: Dr Iqbal on Imam Husayn ...................................... 265
Preface
The tragedy of Karbala is an unparalleled event of the history of
mankind. The great sacrifice made by Imam Husayn, the grandson of
the Holy Prophet, on Ashura (the 10th of Muharram 61 A.H.) and the
steadfastness shown by him is a beacon of light for everyone who has
faith in his mission and is keen for its success.
When one studies the bewildering events of this incident, a number of
questions arise in one's mind such as: What was the purpose of Imam
Husayn's rising? Did he want to avoid taking oath of allegiance to
Yazid or did he take this step-in response to the invitation received
from the people of Kufa? Did he wish, in the current terminology, to
bring about a revolution?
Did he know that he would be killed or was he under the impression
that his life would be spared? Did he act according to a predetermined
plan or took decisions in the light of every new development?
When he received the news of the martyrdom of Muslim bin Aqil
while he (Imam Husayn) was on his way to Kufa why did he suggest
to his companions to go away and leave him alone, and thereafter why
did he approach various persons to assist him?
Why did he ask all his companions during the night of Ashura to go
away but also sent Habib bin Mazahir to the tribe of Bani Asad to seek
their help? Why did he seek help from Ubaydullah bin Hurr Juafi in
the palace of Bani Maqatil and why did he say to the sons of Aqil
during the night of Ashura: "You should go away? It is sufficient that
from amongst you Muslim bin Aqil has been killed?"
Why did he seek help from Zahhak ibn Abdullah Mashriqi and his
friend and Zuhayr bin Qayn, in spite of their strong refusal, and
insisted and even expressed willingness that Zahhak ibn Abdullah
should help him till the last moment and then go away? Does all this
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A Probe into the History of Ashura
not show that Imam Husayn was not aware of the final result and had
no definite plan in mind?
Does the step taken by him not amount to endangering his life? Does
a person, who knows that he would be killed, proceed towards death
along with his kith and kin including the suckling?
Many baseless answers and incorrect explanations have been given to
these questions. Some have said that as the Imam was not prepared to
take oath of allegiance to a person like Yazid and to recognize his
unlawful government, he was obliged to leave Madina in a state of
fear and reached Makkah. He considered Makkah to be a haven and
intended to stay there, but the Kufians invited him and assured him of
their assistance.
The Imam himself, too, was afraid lest he should be assassinated in
Makkah and thereby the sanctity of the Ka'bah should suffer. He,
therefore, accepted the invitation of the Kufians and went towards
Karbala. Consequently, he and his dear ones and companions were
killed and the other members of his family were made captives.
Some have narrated that the Imam did not think that he would be
killed; otherwise, he would not have taken such a bold step.
Still others say that the Imam rose because he was under the
impression that on account of his relationship with the Holy Prophet
he would certainly not be killed, or he was fully convinced that even
if he did not rise he would be killed disgracefully at the hands of Ibn
Ziyad or someone else. He, therefore, preferred being killed while
performing jihad (the Holy war) to dying a disgraceful death.
Some say that the step taken by the Imam amounted to endangering
his life, but as the Almighty Lord had given orders in this behalf he
was obliged to obey the same.
Some opponents, and those, who consider that everyone wishes to be
a sovereign, also, say that love for rulership placed Imam Husayn in
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