Historical Figure
Husayn ibn Ali
d. 680
Grandson of Muhammad and the 3rd Imam
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Biography
Husayn ibn Ali was an Alid political and religious leader. The second son of Ali and Fatima and a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, as well as a younger brother of Hasan ibn Ali, Husayn is regarded as the third Imam in Shia Islam after his brother, Hasan, and before his son, Ali al-Sajjad. Husayn is a prominent member of the Ahl al-Bayt and is also considered to be a member of the Ahl al-Kisa and a participant in the event of the mubahala. Muhammad described him and his brother, Hasan, as the leaders of the youth of paradise.
Timeline
The story of Husayn ibn Ali, told in moments.
Born in Medina. Grandson of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah and son-in-law Ali. Muhammad reportedly said of Husayn and his brother Hassan, "They are the leaders of the youth of Paradise."
His brother Hassan ceded the caliphate to Muawiyah to end the civil war. Husayn accepted the truce. When Muawiyah died in 680, his son Yazid claimed the succession. Husayn refused to swear allegiance.
Marched toward Kufa with 72 followers and his family, answering letters of support from Iraqi Shia. Yazid's forces intercepted them at Karbala. The promised support from Kufa never arrived.
Killed at the Battle of Karbala. His small group fought Yazid's army of thousands. Husayn was the last to fall. His head was taken to Damascus. His death became the defining event of Shia Islam. Ashura marks this day.
His stand at Karbala transformed Islam permanently. "Every day is Ashura, every land is Karbala" became a Shia saying. Annual mourning processions draw millions across the Muslim world 1,300 years later.
In Their Own Words (20)
In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Husein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.
Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. 2, p. 218
Yazid is a transgressor, a drunkard, killer of innocent people and an open sinner, we will never give our allegiances to the likes of him.
Knowledge facilitates comprehension and experience increases wisdom.
Increase of experiences, increases the wisdom of mankind.
Death with honor is better than a life of degradation.
Artifacts (13)
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