Karbala: Timeline

Copied
#karbala

Karbala: Timeline

This is an hour-by-hour report on the events that took place in Karbala on the Day of Ashura, as reported by Maqatil.

0547am - Fajr Adhaan

Imam al-Hussain, after the Fajr prayer, gave a speech to his companions. He invited them to Patience and Jehad. And then recited a Dua: [ اللهم انت ثقتی فی کل کرب ] "O Allah! You are my supporter in every affliction.."

On the other side, the Salah was led by Umar Sa'd, after which they all engaged in strenghening and beautifying their army.

Approximately 6 am

Imam al-Hussain gave a command for a trench to be dug around the tents, and fill them with thorns and thistles, which would be set on fire later in order to prevent the enemy from attacking them from behind.

0706 - Sunrise

A little after sunrise, Imam al-Hussain mounted his horse to be able to be seen better. He went in front of the Kufan army and began speaking to them. He talked about the attributes of himself, his father and brother, and reminded the Kufans of their letters. He even singled out a few of the army leaders of the Kufans and spoke to them directly. He asked Hajjar ibn Abjar and Shabath Rab'ee if the Kufans had written to him or not. They declined.

Imam threw their letters towards them, and thanked Allah for being able to complete his Hujjah (duty).

One of the leaders of the Kufan army asked Imam as to why he would not accept the Caliphate of Ibn Ziyad, and put an end to them having to fight against the Imam.

Imam replied with the famous words:

[ أَلَا وَإنَّ الدَّعِيَّ ابْنَ الدَّعِيِّ قَدْ رَكَزَ بَيْنَ اثْنَتَيْنِ: بَيْنَ السِّلَّه وَالذِّلَّه؛ وَهَيْهَاتَ مِنَّا الذِّلَّه ]

"The wretched man is the son of a wretched man. He is placing me between being killed and accepting his hardship/oppression. And oppression is far from us!"

The speech of Imam took about half an hour.

Approximately 8am

After Imam's speech, a few of Imams companions: Burayr according to some Ahadith, known as "Sayyid alQuraa" (Master of the reciters of the Quran) in Kufa, and some history books say Zuhair, also stood in front of the Kufans and spoke in a similar manner to Imam.

After Burayr and Zuhair's speeches, Imam called out:

[ هل من ناصر ینصرنی ]

"Is there anyone to help me?"

A few began to have doubts, such as Hurr.

It is possible that on seeing the events unfold and the huge probability of a bloody war, many Kufans fled from the army.

Approximately 9am

Umar Sa'd began to get frustrated, asking his troops why they were delaying so much. He gave the go-ahead for the battle to begin. He fired the first arrow towards the army of Imam, and turned to his own army and said: "Bear witness to Ubaydallah that I was the first to fire an arrow!"

Thereafter, the commanders of the Kufan army began to fire arrows one by one.

Imam told his companions: "These are the leaders of the community, firing arrows. Be prepared for death, because there is no escaping it."

A few of Imam's companions were martyred in this initial attack.

Approximately 10am

After the arrow attack, "Yasaar", the slave of Ziyad ibn Abih, and "Saalim", the slave of Ubadallah ibn Ziyad stepped forward from the ranks of the Kufan army to begin a one-on-one battle.

Abdullah ibn Umayr asked for Imam's permission to fight. Imam looked at him and said "I think you will be a strong warrior." He killed the two Kufans, but the fingers of his left hand were chopped off during the fight.

After this one-on-one battle, the Kufans decided to attack all together. "Hijaar" attacked the right wing of Imam's army, but Habib and his followers stood firm against them, using spears.

Simultaneously, Shimr and his army attacked the left wing of Imam's army, where Zuhair and his army opposed the threat. Shimr himself was injured in this attack.

After both ends of the Kufan army retreated, Umar Sa'd sent 500 archers to attack Imam and his companions again. Many of Imam's horses and some companions were killed. Some say about 50 of Imam's companions were martyred, others say 38.

The first to achieve martyrdom was "Abu AlSha'thaa" who fired 8 arrows and killed 5 Kufans. Imam prayed for him.

A group of Shimr's army wanted to attack Imam from the back but Zuhair and 10 of his companions stopped them.

Approximately 11am

After these attacks, Imam instructed his companions to fight one-on-one battles. The companions of Imam pledged amongst themselves to not allow a single member of the family of Bani Hashim to go and fight while the companions were alive. It was as if they were competing for the status of martyrdom. Some were martyred right in front of the eyes of Imam al-Hussain. One of the first to be martyred was a pious old man by the name of Burayr. Muslim ibn Awsajah left for the eternal world after him.

Habib went by Muslim's side just before he breathed his last, and told him that he longed to be able to fulfil the wasiyyah of Muslim. To which Muslim replied: "My wassiyyah is THIS man (pointing to Imam al-Hussain)."

At one point, 8 companions of Imam were surrounded by the enemy, but Al-Abbas came to their rescue.

1250pm - Dhohr Adhaan

Habib ibn Madhahir was martyred at the time of Adhan. It is narrated that Imam turned to his companions and asked one of them to go ask Umar Sa'd to briefly pause the war so that they could pray. One of the Kufans shouted out: "Your Prayers are not accepted!" Habib replied: "O wretched one! You believe your prayers are accepted but the prayers of the son of the Prophet are not!?" He then proceeded to fight against him, and the Kufans attacked him at once and Habib was martyred.

Imam was severely affected by the shahadah of Habib, and for the first time on the day of Ashura, Imam wept. He looked towards the heavens and said: "The loss of my life and the life of my friends is in your record."

Imam prayed his Salah as "Qasr" and with the intention of "Salah al-Khauf" (Prayer during times of fear). A group prayed behind the Imam whilst others were in battle. Zuhair and Sa'eed ibn Abdullah Hanafi stood in front of the Imam as protection. It is narrated that Sa'eed was struck by 13 arrows, as well as by a spear, and was martyred. In his last breath, he asked the Imam: "Have I been loyal?"

Approximately 1pm

30 of Imams companions were still alive.

After the martyrdom of the companions, the Bani Hashim were remaining. The first person to go into the battlefield was Ali al-Akbar, the son of Imam al-Hussain. Some historians state Abdullah ibn Muslim ibn Aqeel to be the first matryr from the Bani Hashim. This Abdullah ibn Muslim was killed in a cowardly manner. His death had a strong affect on the Bani Hashim, they formed a group and attacked the enemy. Imam calmed them down and said: "O the children of my uncle, be patient in the face of death. By God, after this, there will be no further oppression and hardship."

In the end, Imam al-Hussain and his brother Abbas were left. He asked for permission from the Imam to go to the battlefield, but Imam instructed him to bring water to the tents. The enemy separated the brothers. Brave al-Abbas was surrounded by the enemy when he had the flask filled with water, his hands were chopped off mercilessly, and was struck with an iron spear on his head, making him fall to the ground. Imam rushed by his side. The enemy retreated a little. Imam for the second time wept, after the martyrdom of his brother, and said: "Now my back is broken."

Approximately 3pm

Imam retreated to the tents to bid farewell to his family. He tore his clothing up as much as possible, so that the enemy would not steal his clothes after his martyrdom. During his farewell, he took his little baby, Ali al-Asgher to the battlefield, to ask for water for him, where he was struck by an arrow by Hurmala.

Imam went to the battlefield but very few dared to stand before him. Some fired arrows, some threw spears from afar. Shimr and 10 of his army came towards him to fight. After his martyrdom, there were 33 spear wounds, and 34 sword wounds.

It is written in the Maqatil, that when Imam was on the verge of martrydom, no one dared to go near him. The family of Imam heard the neighing of Dhul-janah, Imam's horse, and ran outside. A child by the name of Abdullah ibn Hassan ran towards where the Imam was, and the enemy martyred him in the arms of Imam al-Hussain. Imam became angry and prayed: "O Allah, remove the blessing of the rain from the heavens and the growth from the earth from these people."

0406 pm - Asr Adhaan

The time of the Shahadah of Imam al-Hussain has been mentioned as this time of Asr. Narrated by Hamid ibn Muslim: Before the death of Imam, I heard him say "By God after me, you will never kill another person that will anger God as much as my killing."

At that moment, Shimr called out: "What are you all waiting for! May your mothers be ashamed of you, KILL HIM!" It is said that Sinan ibn Anas attacked Imam and struck a spear through the heart of Imam.

Approxiately 5pm

After the Shahadah of Imam, a group stole the clothes of Imam, and it is narrated that all those involved in the stealing were later afflicted with untreatable diseases. The plundering and looting of the belongings of Imam and his companions and family then began. Umar Sa'd, after a little while, commanded the looting to stop, and even appointed someone to guard the tents.

One of the Shias from Basrah, by the name of Su'aid ibn Mutaa3, reached Karbala after Imam's Shahadah, and fought to protect his family, and was martyred in the process.

It is nearing sunset. The head of Imam is given to Khooli, to be taken to ibn Ziyad the same night. Then, under the orders of Umar Sa'd, the army was to run their horses over the bodies of Imam and his companions, in order to crush every bone in their bodies.

0649pm - Maghrib Adhaan

The grievous day of Ashura ends in this manner. Umar Sa'd orders his troops to prepare for Maghrib prayers, while Sinaan ibn Anas was singing, saying: "Glorify my horse's birdle and saddle with gold, for I have killed the best of men."