This is an English rendering. Qur’anic verses and prophetic ḥadīth are shown in their original Arabic.
In this article
The martyrdom of al-Husayn (may God be pleased with him) is among the greatest calamities in the history of the Ummah. This article mentions the Prophet’s foretelling ﷺ of his killing, then his courage and martyrdom at Karbala, and the lessons and reflections therein.
The foretelling of Karbala
The Prophet ﷺ foretold his killing before it came to pass. It is narrated from Anas (may God be pleased with him):
«إنّ مَلَكَ المطر استأذن النبيَّ ﷺ، فجاء الحسينُ فاقتحم، فأخبره النبيُّ ﷺ أنّ أمّتَه ستقتله، وقال: وإن شئتَ أريتُك المكانَ الذي يُقتل فيه، فجاء بسهلةٍ أو ترابٍ أحمر». قال الراوي: كنّا نقول إنها كربلاء.
The courage of al-Husayn and his martyrdom
“Imam al-Husayn (may God be pleased with him) was among the bravest of people in heart and the steadiest in resolve… firm in creed, not turning from his lofty principles, nor deviating from his religion whatever he faced.” He stayed with his grandfather ﷺ for seven years, and lived about fifty-eight years, then “he lived as a brave, valiant struggler, and died a martyr — indeed a master among the masters of the martyrs.”
﴿وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ﴾ ﴾﴿آل عمران ١٦٩
The People of the Sunnah are innocent of his killing
The People of the Sunnah and the Community are innocent of the killing of al-Husayn (may God be pleased with him) and are wrathful at his killers. Among the signs of divine justice is that ʿUbaydullāh ibn Ziyād was killed on the day of Ashura, just as al-Husayn was killed on the day of Ashura, and that everyone who took part in his blood — “God exacted retribution from him, so he was killed or afflicted.”
The lessons and reflections
“Just as the life of al-Husayn is a beacon for the guided, his martyrdom is a lesson for those who reflect and a model for the steadfast.” “His noble soul refused humiliation and submission to injustice, and he chose honour over abasement.” Among the far-reaching lessons is “that the trace of al-Husayn’s struggle should remain across the ages and eras… a reminder for whoever devotes himself to serving the Ummah, not holding back from sacrificing what is precious whenever its welfare requires.”
Frequently asked questions
Where and how was al-Husayn martyred?
He was martyred (may God be pleased with him) at the land of Karbala on the day of Ashura, patient and seeking reward, dying a master among the masters of the martyrs.
Are the People of the Sunnah responsible for his killing?
No; the People of the Sunnah and the Community are innocent of the killing of al-Husayn, wrathful at his killers, and God exacted retribution from those who shared in his blood.
What is the lesson of his martyrdom?
That his life is a beacon for the guided and his martyrdom a model for the steadfast in rejecting injustice and preferring honour over abasement.