Ashura, the 10th of Muharram: On the 10th of Muharram, 61 AH, the day of Ashura, Imam Husayn (as) and his small group — about 72 men, along with women and children — faced the army of Yazid at Karbala. They had been denied water for three days.
The companions chose to stay: Imam Husayn (as) gave his companions a choice: "You may leave. Tonight is dark — go." But they stayed. One by one, they went to the battlefield and were martyred. Imam Husayn (as) was martyred last, alone.
The captives after the battle: After the battle, the tents were burned and the women and children — including the Prophet's great-granddaughters — were taken as captives to Kufa and then to Damascus.
Example
- When Imam Husayn's (as) companion Habib ibn Mazahir asked, "Why stay?", the answer was simple: truth is worth standing for, even when you are alone.
- The small number at Karbala is part of the lesson. Truth is not measured by numbers.
Key Terms
- Ashura (عاشوراء) — the 10th of Muharram, the day of Karbala
- Shahadat (شهادة) — martyrdom, bearing witness by one's life
- Ahlul Bayt (أهل البيت) — the Prophet's family, present at Karbala
Quran or Hadith
Quran 42:23 — love for the close relatives (of the Prophet, SAW). — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: A simple timeline of the Day of Ashura — morning, the choice to stay, the battle, the evening. In Project Desk colours.
- On Ashura, 10th Muharram 61 AH, Imam Husayn (as) and 72 companions faced a large army.
- They were denied water for three days, yet they did not give up.
- Truth is not measured by numbers. A small group can stand for the whole truth.