Imam Al-Hussein ben Ali (Pbuh)

Imam Al-Hussein ben Ali (transliterated also into Imam Hussein, Imam Husein, Imam Husayn, Imam Husain, Imam Al-Husein, Imam Al-Husayn and Imam Al-Husain) is the third Imam for Shiite Muslims. He was born on 3 Sha‘ban 4 AH (≈10January 626) in the holy city of Medina. His father is Imam Ali ben Abi-Talib and his mother is Lady Fatima, the Prophet’s Muhammad daughter. His teknonymic (Kunya)is Abo Abdullah and his title is the Master of Martyrs.

Imam Al-Hasan grew up in his grandfather’s house, and thus similar to his father Imam Ali ben Abi-Talib he grasped the morals and the divine knowledge from Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon him and his Family) who was calling him and his brother Imam Al-Hussein “my sons” and titled each of them “Imam.”

After the martyrdom of his brother Imam Al-Hasan, and as he respected his brother’s treaty with Mu‘awiya, Imam Al-Hussein focused on emphasising the principles of morale and the Islamic doctrines to promote the then Islamic society. However, the announcement of Yazid to be the new Caliph of Muslims after the death of his father Mu‘awiya on 22 Rajab 60 AH (≈28 April 680) was not acceptable by Imam Al-Hussein because this appointment breached the treaty. Furthermore, Imam Al-Hussein rejected to give Yazid a pledge of allegiance, because of Yazid; as Imam Hussein argued; was a wicked person and he was not following the right path of Islam.

Shortly after Yazid’s declaration to be the new Caliph, Imam Al-Hussein left Medina to the city of Kufa in Iraq after he received letters from the followers and supporters to lead them. In his way to Kufa with his family and a number of his companions, Yazid’s army attacked Imam Al-Hussein in a place called Karbala. As a result of this unbalanced battle, Imam Al-Hussein was killed alongside his companions and a number of his family’s member on 10 Muharram 61 AH (≈10 October 680).

Imam Al-Hussein and the rest of martyrs were buried in Karbala, and many believers are going this city to visit their shrines.