The Day of Ashura & The Event of al-Taff - Today in Muharram Day 10

Bismi-Llah, Al-Rahmani, Al-Rahim. Today is the Day of 'Ashura', a day like no other. Nothing similar to it before and nothing compared to it in existence.

On this day, the 10th of Muharram, which was a Friday, the grandson of our Holy Prophet salla Allahu 'alayhi wa alihi, Imam Husayn 'alayhi as-salam, was killed in a horrendous way, along with most of his male family members and all of his companions.

He woke up for Fajr and he led prayers with his family members and Companions in the morning of 'Ashura'. He then said to [his companions & family]: Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala has decreed that I be killed and you be killed as well. Be patient and fight.

A few quick points that I would like to share on this particular day and what happened. Number one is Imam Husayn 'alayhi as-salam, arranged his forces on this particular day, and there were 32 horsemen and 40 foot soldiers commanded by Zuhayr Ibn al-Qayn on the right, Habib Ibn Madhahir on the left, Imam Husayn 'alayhi as-salam, in the middle.

The second point is imam Husayn 'alayhi as-salam, gave his advice to the other army, reminding them, reminding the enemies of peace and saving bloodshed in any way possible. But unfortunately, nothing happened.

Number three is al-Hurr Ibn Yazid al-Riyahi, radiy Allahu Ta'ala 'anhu, regretted on this very day and changed ranks, turning to Imam Husayn 'alayhi as-salam, and being martyred alongside him as well.

Number four is the initial onslaught that happened where Imam Husayn and his followers were fending off the attackers from every side.

Number five, the individual duels that occurred where some of Imam Husayn's supporters came out and had a fight one against the many.

Sixth important event was the Dhuhrayn prayer on 'Ashura day. Abu Thumama al-Saydawi radiy Allahu Ta'ala 'anh, will forever be remembered as the person who reminded Imam Husayn that it was prayer time. We then have Sa'id Ibn' Abdullah al-Hanafi being given the title of Shahid as-Salah because he stood in front of the Imam 'alayhi as-salam, to block the arrows so the Imam and his Companions could finish off their prayer.

Point number seven is Imam Husayn 'alayhi as-salam, being the last to stand all alone after all of his companions, and all the fighters from Bani Hashim were killed. Imam Husayn al-Madhlum [the oppressed] was then martyred. He suffered cuts and wounds all over his blessed body from spears, arrows and swords but they were all in the front part of his body because he refused to turn back.

They weren't satisfied with that. They then trampled with horses over the bodies of the Shuhada' [martyrs]. They severed the heads as well. Then they pillaged the tents, burning the tents, looting the bodies, plundered the women and children as well.

As salamu 'ala al-Husayn, wa 'ala 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn, wa 'ala awladi al-Husayn, wa 'ala Ashab al-Husayn, wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuhu' [Peace & Salutations be upon Husayn, 'Ali the son of al-Husayn, the offspring of al-Husayn and the Companions of al-Husayn and may the peace & blessings of Allah and His blessings be upon them].

[As Lady Zaynab passed the body of her brother Husayn as a captive she cried out using these words]- Ya Muhammada, hadha Husaynun bi 'l-'araa, tasfi 'alayh rihu as-sabaya, qatilu awladi al-baghaya. Wa huzna', wa qurbah 'alayka ya Aba 'Abdillah. Aah... Alyawm mata Jaddi Rasul Allah. Ya Ashaba Muhammad, ha'ulai al-dhurriyatu al-Mustafa, yusaquna sawqa al-sabaya [ Oh Muhammad! May the angels of heaven salute you; this is al-Husayn, fallen on the desert, immersed in blood, his body torn to pieces, murdered by the children of the rebels. O what sorrow!... O Aba Abdillah! Oh, Muhammad! These are your daughters! They are being taken captives! Your children are slain! The zephyr is blowing on their bodies! ...'" ]

An important historical event also happened on the 10th of Muharram and that is the killing of 'Ubayd Allah Ibn Ziyad, the second main instigator for 'Ashura' after Yazid. This happened six years after 'Ashura' in northern Iraq after a fierce battle between Ibn Ziyad and his army from Sham and the revolutionary Ibrahim Ibn al-Malik al-Ashtar ridwan Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhima.

Wa al-hamdulil-Lahi Rabbi al-'Alamin.