Name: al-Hussain

Title: Sayyid’ sh-Shuhada.

Agrnomen: Abu Abdullah

Father’s name: Ali Amir al- Muminin.

Mother’s name: Fatima( daughter of the Holy Prophet)

Birth: In Medina on Thursday, 3^rd Shaban 4 AH.

Death: Martyred in Karbala( Iraq) at the age of 57,on Friday,10^th Muharram 61 AH and buried there.

hen the good news of his birth reached the Holy Prophet ,he came to his daughter house, took the newly-born child in his arm, recited azan and iqamah in his right and left ears respectively, and on the 7^th day of his birth, after performing the rites of aqiqah ,named him al-Husayan, in the compliance of Allah’s command.

Abdullah bin Abbas relates: “when Imam Hussain was born, Allah ordered Gabriel to descend and congratulate the Holy Prophet on His behalf and on his own. The angel named as “Futrus” had been banished due to his delay in executing a commission assigned by Allah and remained for several years praying and worshipping Allah and asking for His forgiveness. Gabriel took this angle with him to Prophet and offered congratulation on birth of Hussain(a.s).Holy Prophet said to Gabriel: “ask the angle to touch the body of the newly born child”. On doing this, the angle re-obtained his wings instantly and praising the Holy Prophet and his newly born grandson, ascended toward the Heaven.

Hasan(a.s) and Hussain(a.s), two sons of the Holy Imam Ali bin Abu Talib and Hazart Fatima were respected and reered as the “ Leaders of the Youth of Paradise” as stated by the Holy Prophet.

Muawiyah violated the agreement, which took place between Imam Hasan(a.s) and him and appointed his son Yazid as his successor . Yazid was known as the most licentious of men. The people having known and understood the character of Yazid. People fearing death and destruction at the hands of the tyrant had yielded to him out of fear. Imam (a.s) said that come whatever may, he would never yield to the devil in place of God and undo what his grandfather, the Holy Prophet had established. He was forced to seek refuge in Mecca where also he was badly harassed, and Yazid plotted to murdered him in the very precincts of the great sanctuary of Kabah. So Imam decided to leave Mecca to Kufah just day before the Hajj pilgrimage.

The people of Kufah getting tired of the tyrannical and satanic rule of Yazid, had written innumerable letters and santé emissaries to Imam Hussain(a.s) to come over and give them guidance in faith. When Imam reached Karbala, his horse mysteriously stopped and would not move any further. Upon this Imam(a.s) declared: “This is the land, the land of suffering and tortures”

On the 7^th Muharram in 61 AH. Water supply to the Imam's camp was cut and torture of thirst and hunger started. Imam’s camp consisted of ladies, innocent children, including babies and some male members of Holy Prophet only with small number faithful friends who had chosen to die with the Holy Imam(a.s), fighting the devil for the cause of Allah.

Ashura( 10^th of Muharram 61AH, Imam Hussain(a.s) sent out from his camp one another to fight and sacrifice their lives in the way of Lord. When all his men and children had laid down their lives, Imam(a.s) brought his six month old baby son “ Ali al-Asghar” and offering him on his own hands, demanded some water for the baby, dying of thirst. The thirst of the baby was quenched by a deadly poisoned arrow from the brute’s forces whish pinned the baby’s neck to the arm of the helpless father. Lastly Imam came into the field and after worm battle with forces of Yazid, was killed, the details of which merciless slaughter are heart rending. Forces of Yazid cut and served head of Imam Hussain(a.s) from his body and raised it on a lance. The severed head of Imam(a.s) began glorifying Allah from the point of the lance saying: ‘Allah-u- Akbar’( All glory be to Allah who is the Greatest!). After this forces (Sham-e-gharibain) fired camps of ladies and children. Next day helpless ladies and children along with the ailing son of Imam Husain(a.s) , Imam Ali Zyanu’l Abidin(4^th Imam) were taken captives and were sent to Kufah and then Damascus( Syria).

Holy prophet said about Imam(a.s):

1. Hasan and Husain are the Leaders of the Youths in Paradise.
2. Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain, Allah befriends those who befriend Hussain and He is the enemy of those who bears enmity to him.
3. Whoever whishes to see such a person who lives on earth but whose dignity is honored by the Heaven dwellers should see my grandson Hussain.
4. The punishment inflicted on the murderer of Hussain in Hell would be equal to half of the total punishment to be imposed on the entire sinners of the world.

Hussain weltered in blood and dust for the sake of truth. Verily he, therefore, became the bedrock(foundation) of the Muslim creed; la ilaha illa Allah( there is no God but God).

He gave his head but did not give his hand into the hands of Yazid. Verily, Hussain is the foundation of la ilaha illa Allah( there is no God but God). Hussain is lord of lords. Hussain himself is Islam and shield of Islam. Though he gave his head( for Islam) but never pledged Yazid. Truly Hussain is the founder of “ there is no Deity except Allah.