Imam Hussain (AS), the heir of the Divine Prophets and the third Imam of the Shia, has always inspired the people of the world to express their deep affection and profound love for him, love for Aba Abdillah al-Hussain (AS), the eldest grandson of the Messenger of God (PBUHH).
This expression of devotion has existed throughout history and has never faded; in fact, it has only grown stronger with each passing day. In this article, we will examine a biographical profile of this heir of the Divine Prophets through the lens of history, narrations, and devotional texts.
Peace and blessings be upon the heir of the Divine Prophets and upon the radiant sun whose light illuminates all of existence, extending from the earthly realm to the heavenly realms, and whose grandeur leaves all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth in awe.
Name, Lineage, and Children of Imam Hussain (AS)
Name: Hussain (AS)
Titles: Master of Martyrs (Sayyid al-Shuhads), the Heir of the Divine Prophets
Kunya: Aba Abdillah
Father: Ali al-Murtada (AS)
Mother: Fatimah al-Zahra (SA)
Maternal Grandfather: The Messenger of God (PBUH)
Maternal Grandmother: Khadijah (SA)
Date of Birth: Third of Shaban
Duration of Imamate: 11 years[1]
Lifespan: 57 years
Date of Martyrdom: The tenth of Muharram, year 61 AH
Killer: Shimr (accursed)
Place of Burial: Karbala al-Mualla
Number of Children: According to one narration, four sons and two daughters[2]
The Rising of the Sun of Love
Imam Hussain (AS) was born on a Tuesday, or, according to another report, on a Thursday, the fifth of Shaban in the fourth year after Hijrah,[3] the year in which the Battle of the Trench occurred. Another narration states that his blessed birth took place in the third year after Hijrah, on the third day of Shaban.
As soon as the Messenger of God (PBUHH) learned of the birth of Imam Hussain (AS), he hurried to the house of Ali (AS) and asked Asma to bring the newborn to him. He then took the child in his arms and showered him with kisses. The Prophet (PBUHH) performed the following rituals for Imam Hussain (AS):
He recited the call to prayer (adhan) in his right ear and the commencement of prayer (iqamah) in his left. He named him, and narrations state that the first individuals ever given the names Imam Hasan and Hussain (AS) were the sons of Ali and Fatimah (SA). God had kept these noble names hidden from people so that the two young ones of Ali and Fatimah (SA) would be the first to bear them.
On the seventh day after his birth, the Prophet (PBUHH) ordered that a large ram be purchased and sacrificed for Imam Hussain (AS) as an aqiqah offering. Its meat was distributed among the poor.
The Prophet (PBUH) also had Imam Hussain’s head shaved and gave charity in silver equal to the weight of the hair, an act that provided meaningful aid to the needy. On that same seventh day, Imam Hussain (AS) was circumcised.[4]
The Messenger of God (PBUHH) would offer protection and supplication for Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain (AS) with these words, using them as a prayer of safeguarding: “I seek protection for you in the Perfect Words of Allah from every devil and every harmful creature, and from every envious, evil eye”.[5]
The Son of the Messenger of God (PBUHH)
The Noble Messenger of Islam (PBUHH) said regarding Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain (AS): “God placed the children of every prophet in his own lineage; but He placed my descendants in the lineage of Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS). Although the children of every mother are attributed to their father, the children of Fatimah al-Zahra (SA) are attributed to me, I am their father”.[6]
For this reason, during the Battle of Siffin, when Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain (AS) hastened toward the battlefield to fight against Muawiyah, Imam Ali (AS) said to his companions: “Hold back this young man on my behalf, lest he causes my ruin, because I am loath to send these two (meaning Imam Hasan and Imam Husain) towards death, lest the descending line of the Prophet may Allah bless him and his descendants is cut away by their death”.[7]
Usamah ibn Zayd says: “One night I went to the house of the Prophet (PBUHH) and knocked on the door. I saw that the Prophet (PBUHH) had wrapped himself in a cloak, and I could not understand what he was holding. After he fulfilled my request, I asked: What is this that you are covering yourself with? The Prophet (PBUHH) lifted the cloak, and I saw Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain sitting on his lap. Then he said: These two are my children and the children of my daughter. O Lord! I love these two, so love them as well, and love those who love them”.[8]
Imam Hussain (AS) in the Mirror of Narrations
In a narration from Imam Sadiq (AS), it is stated: “If the visitor of Imam Hussain (AS) knew how much joy and happiness his visitation brings to the Messenger of God (PBUHH), to the Amir al-Muminin (AS), to Lady Fatimah (SA), and to the martyrs from among us, the Ahl al-Bayt. And if he knew the prayer that is made for him because of his visitation when he returns, as well as the reward he will receive both in this world and the Hereafter, and what God has stored for him, he would surely wish that Karbala were his home. Indeed, the visitor of Imam Hussain (AS), upon returning from his visitation, has every step he takes prayed for; and when the sun shines upon him, his sins are erased, just as fire burns wood, the sun leaves no trace of his sins. He returns with no sin remaining upon him and with lofty ranks awaiting him, ranks that even the one who is immersed in his own blood in the path of God cannot attain”.[9]
And in another place he said: “One who visits Hussain (AS) with full understanding is like a person who has performed three Hajj pilgrimages with the Messenger of God (PBUH)”.[10]
All the Prophets Visited the Place of Imam Hussain’s (AS) Martyrdom. Every Prophet of God visited the site of Imam Hussain’s (AS) martyrdom before his death and burial. It is narrated: “All the Prophets visited Karbala or were taken there”. The Noble Prophet of Islam (PBUHH) also said: “I was taken to a place called Karbala”.
And in a narration concerning Prophet Ibrahim (AS): “When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) passed through Karbala, his horse stumbled, causing him to fall and his head to split open and bleed. He then began to seek forgiveness and said: My Lord! What sin have I committed? Gabriel descended and said: O Ibrahim! No sin has been committed by you. Rather, in this land, the son of the Seal of the Prophets and the son of Ali (AS), the Seal of the Successors, will be killed; for this reason, your blood flows so that it may be joined with his blood”.[11]
The companions of the Prophet (PBUHH) relate: “One night the Noble Prophet (PBUH) was absent from us for a long time. When he returned, a great deal of dust covered him. When we asked about the reason, he said: Tonight I was taken to a place in Iraq called Karbala. There, the location of Hussain’s martyrdom and the martyrdom of a group from among his children and my household was shown to me”.[12]
The Heir of the Divine Prophets
Ziyarat Warith is one of the well-known devotional texts for Imam Hussain (AS), narrated from Imam Sadiq (AS). In this ziyarah, Imam Hussain (AS) is addressed as the Heir of the Prophets, for he is the bearer of the divine vicegerent and the continuation of the mission to guide humanity, a mission entrusted to the Prophets.
Moreover, divine knowledge, heavenly teachings, and the reality of the revealed scriptures were transmitted to the Imams, especially to Imam Hussain (AS), making him the spiritual and intellectual heir of the Divine Prophets.
Conclusion
Imam Hussain (AS), as the heir of the Divine Prophets, is the symbol of sacrifice and devotion in the path of truth and righteousness. His position as the heir of the Prophets not only reflects his lofty status in Islamic history but also teaches us lessons of courage and steadfast commitment to human principles.
As the heir of the Divine Prophets, through the uprising of Ashura, he delivered the message of peace and justice to the world and reminded us that following the teachings of the Divine Prophets is the path to salvation.
Notes
[1] . Isfahani, Majmuah-yi Zindagani-yi Chahardah Masum (AS), vol.1, p.612.
[2] . Majlisi, Jala al-Uyun, p.413.
[3] . Yaqubi, Tarikh al-Yaqubi, vol.2, p.183.
[4] . Qummi, Muntaha al-Amal, p. 367–369.
[5] . Ibn Ashath, al-Jafariyat, p.248.
[6] . Qummi, Muntaha al-Amal, p.370.
[7] . Sharif al-Radi, Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 207.
[8] . Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.43, p.229; Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah, vol.2, p.11 & 19.
[9] . Nuri, Mustadrak al-Wasail, vol.10, p.343.
[10] . Ibn Qulawayh, Kamil al-Ziyarat, p.140.
[11] . Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.44, p.243.
[12] . Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.44, p.239.
References
- The Holy Quran.
- Ibn al-Athir, Izz al-Din Ali ibn Muhammad, Usd al-Ghabah fi Marifat al-Sahabah, Beirut, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1415 AH.
- Ibn Ashath, Muhammad ibn Muhammad, al-Jafariyat (al-Ashathiyyat), Tehran, Maktabat al-Naynawa al-Hadithah, 1390.
- Ibn Qulawayh, Jafar ibn Muhammad, Kamil al-Ziyarat, Najaf al-Ashraf, Dar al-Murtadawiyyah, 1356.
- Isfahani, Emadzadeh Husayn, Majmuah-yi Zindagani-yi Chahardah Masum (AS), Tehran, TalU, 1372.
- Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar, Beirut, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, 1403 AH.
- Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Jala al-Uyun, Qom, Surur, 1383.
- Nuri, Husayn ibn Muhammad Taqi, Mustadrak al-Wasail, Qom, Muassasat Al al-Bayt (AS), 1408 AH.
- Qummi, Abbas, Muntaha al-Amal, Qom, Pur Saib, 1389.
- Sharif al-Radi, Muhammad ibn Husayn, Nahj al-Balagha, Qom, Hijrat, 1414 AH.
- Yaqubi, Ahmad ibn Ishaq, Tarikh al-Yaqubi, Beirut, Dar al-Sadir, 1341.
Source of the article | Adapted from:
A group of authors, Farhang-e Ashurai (The Ashura Encyclopedia) – vol. 1: The Personality and Life of Imam Hussain (AS), article: “Khasais-e Imam Hussain (AS)” (The Characteristics of Imam Hussain (AS)) by Nader Husayn Abdollahi, Center for Printing and Publishing of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) World Assembly, 1382 SH.
