Incidents before the Battle of Karbala

Incidents before the Battle of Karbala

 

Orders upon orders came from Yazid to the governor of Madina that the pledge (Ba‘yah) should be taken from Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) as soon as possible.  If he refuses to give the pledge to me, he should be executed and his head sent to me.  I will be generous with you.  The governor of Madina called Hadhrat Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) and told him:  I am getting orders to kill you.  I am bewildered as to what I should do.  I can’t think of anything. 

 

Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:  Yazid is an innovator in religion and a drunkard.  How can I give my pledge to him?  Let us take the view of all Muslims.  I will not shun the opinion of all Muslims.

 

Then Yazid sent a stern command that pledge or execution, one of the two must happen immediately.  The governor was a good person.  He informed Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) of this as well.

 

Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) visits the blessed grave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and supplicates

 

Hadhrat Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) went to the blessed grave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), clung to the grave and cried so much that even the walls wept.  Hadhrat Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:

 

Grandfather!  May Hussain be sacrificed for you!  This is the same Hussain, your grandson, whom Yazid desires to kill.  This is the same Hussain who used to mount your shoulders.  Now wherever one sees, only his enemies are to be seen.  Grandfather!  How long should I bear the oppression of the enemies?  You have left me alone.  My mother is not here that I can share my sorrow with her.  My father is not here that I can be in his protection.  You have called my brother as well.  Now I am left alone and helpless.  There is no friend and confidant to share my troubles with.  Did you raise me for this day?  Did my mother nurse me for this?

 

Dream of Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) and the words of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

 

Crying, he slept with his head on the blessed grave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  He dreamt that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has come with an huge army of angels and has placed the head of Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) on His chest with the words:  Dear Hussain!  The time is near when, in Karbala, people of my Ummah will starve you for water, will rain arrows instead and will give you the drink of martyrdom.  Son!  There are great stations in paradise.  Unless and until you sacrifice yourself, you can’t get those stations.  Your father and mother are restless to see you.  Your brother is yearning for you.  In the dream itself, Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:  Grandfather!  Then why should Hussain go back into the world?  You take me into your blessed grave.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Dear Hussain!  Be patient.  Prepare for journey.  Sacrifice yourself.  Be content with the will of Allah.

 

After listening to these glad tidings, Imam Hussain (May Allah be well pleased with him) forgot all his troubles.

 

[Excerpted from Shahaadatnama of Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan]