Imam Husain (‘a.s), the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUHH), holds a unique and revered status in Islam. His life, character, and ultimate sacrifice at Karbala represent the pinnacle of devotion, justice, and resistance against tyranny. For Muslims across generations and sects, Imam Husain is a symbol of moral courage and unwavering faith. His martyrdom is not merely a historical event but a spiritual legacy that continues to inspire movements for justice and truth worldwide. This article aims to explore the esteemed position of Imam Husain in Islamic teachings and his spiritual significance to the Muslim world.
Family Background
Imam Husain (‘a.s), the second grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUHH), was born on the 3rd of Sha‘bān in 4 AH (626 CE) in Medina[1]. He was the son of Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Ṭālib (‘a.s), the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, and Lady Fatimah al-Zahrā’ (‘a.s), the Prophet’s beloved daughter[2]. This noble lineage makes him part of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Household of the Prophet), whose purity and spiritual excellence are emphasized in the Qur’an[3]. His elder brother was Imam Ḥasan (‘a.s), and both were often referred to by the Prophet as “the leaders of the youth of Paradise[4].” Raised in the close company of the Prophet, Imam Husain inherited a legacy of piety, knowledge, and unwavering commitment to truth and justice that would later define his pivotal role in Islamic history, especially through his stand at Karbala.
Imam Husain in the Qur’anic Perspective
Though Imam Husain (‘a.s) is not mentioned by name in the Qur’an, numerous verses are interpreted by scholars as referring to him and the other members of Ahl al-Bayt (‘a.s). These include:
- The Verse of Purification (Qur’an 33: 33)
إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّـهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا…
… Indeed, Allah desires to repel all impurity from you, O People of the Household, and purify you with a thorough purification.
According to both Sunni[5] and Shi‘a[6] sources, this verse was revealed specifically about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUHH), Imam ‘Ali (‘a.s), Lady Fatimah (‘a.s), Imam Hasan (‘a.s), and Imam Husain (‘a.s). This is confirmed by the well-known Hadith al-Kisā’ (Tradition of the Cloak). Thus, Imam Husain (a.s) was among the selected members of the Prophet’s household (Ahl al-Bayt); those who have been cleansed from every impurity and were thoroughly purified by Allah.
- The Verse of Affection (Qur’an 42:23)
قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبَى
Say, ‘I do not ask you any reward for it except the love of [my] relatives.
The Verse of Affection was said to have been revealed to the Prophet (PHUHH) to mention the love of the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a.s) as the reward for the Prophet’s (PHUHH) mission, not any material or worldly reward[7]. Thus, according to several reports from both Sunni and Shia scholars, Imam Husain (a.s) was among the nearest family members (Dhul Qurba), whose love and loyalty are made compulsory upon the Muslim community[8].
- The verse of Malediction (Qur’an 3: 61)
فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتَ اللَّـهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ
Should anyone argue with you concerning him, after the knowledge that has come to you, say, ‘Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our souls and your souls, then let us pray earnestly, and call down Allah’s curse upon the liars.’
According to several reports from both Sunni and Shia scholars, Imam Husain (a.s), together with his elder brother, Imam Hasan, represented “Our sons” (the sons of the Muslim community) during a challenge to the Najran Christian, through which the genuineness of Islam was established[9].
- The verse of Salutation (Qur’an 33: 56)
إِنَّ اللَّـهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Indeed, Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who have faith! Invoke blessings on him and invoke Peace upon him in a worthy manner
Imam Husain (a.s) is among the Prophet’s household (i.e. Ahl al-Bayt) on whom benediction (Salawat) and salutation (salaam) to them is made compulsory upon the believers[10].
Imam Husain in the Prophetic Hadiths
In this section, we shall examine those Prophetic traditions (Hadith) which focus on the virtues of the Prophet’s household (i.e. Ahl al-Bayt) which Imam Husain (a.s) is also a part. In addition, a few of those Prophetic traditions (Hadith) which specifically focus on the virtues of Imam Husain (a.s) shall be discussed:
- The Tradition of Two Precious Things (Hadith Thaqalayn)
It was reported with different chains of narration that the Prophet (PBUHH) said:
إِنِّي تَارِكٌ فِيكُمُ الثَّقَلَيْنِ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَ عِتْرَتِي أَهْلَ بَيْتِي وَ إِنَّهُمَا لَنْ يَفْتَرِقَا حَتَّى يَرِدَا عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ مَا إِنْ تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا لَمْ تَضِلُّوا
Indeed, I am leaving among you two weighty things: the Book of Allah and my progeny, the people of my household. Verily, the two will never separate until they return to me at the Pond (of Kawthar). As long as you hold fast to them, you will never go astray[11].”
يا أيها الناس إني قد تركت فيكم ما إن أخذتم به لن تضلوا: كتاب الله وعترتي أهل بيتي
“O people, I am leaving among you what if you hold firmly unto it, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and progeny; my household[12].”
From this Hadith (i.e., Hadith Thaqalayn), the Prophet’s household [Ahl al-Bayt] is part of two inseparable entities which will prevent the Muslim community from going astray. Thus, Imam Husain (a.s) is part of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s) whom we are commanded to hold firmly to be saved from perishing.
- The tradition of the Ark (Hadith-al-Safinah)
The Prophet (PBUHH) was reported with different chains of narration to have said:
إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ أَهْلِ بَیتِی فِیکُمْ کَمَثَلِ سَفِینَةِ نُوحٍ، مَنْ دَخَلَهَا نَجَی، وَ مَنْ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْهَا غَرِقَ
“Surely, the likeness of my household among you is like Noah’s Ark; whoever enters it is safe and whoever remains behind is drowned[13]”.
From this Hadith (i.e., Hadith Safinah), the similitude of the Prophet’s household is the similitude of Noah’s Ark (i.e., the Ark of Salvation). Whoever boards it is saved, and whoever is left behind is drowned and destroyed. Thus, Imam Husain (a.s) is part of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s), and whoever follows him is guided and saved, and whoever is left behind is drowned and pushed into hellfire.
- The tradition of security against discord
The Noble Prophet (PBUHH) was reported to have said:
النُّجُومُ أَمَانٌ لِأَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ مِنَ الْغَرَقِ، وَ أَهْلُ بَیْتِی أَمَانٌ لِأُمَّتِی مِنَ الِاخْتِلَافِ، فَإِذَا خَالَفَتْهَا قَبِیلَةٌ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ اخْتَلَفُوا فَصَارُوا حِزْبَ إِبْلِیسَ
“The stars are a security for the people of the earth against drowning (when at sea), and my household (Ahl al-Bayt) is a security to my community against discord. Whenever any Arab tribes disagree with them, those tribes will be disintegrated and become the party of Satan (Devil)[14]”
From this Hadith (i.e., Hadith Amanu), the Prophet’s household is the only security for the Muslim community from disparities. Whoever follows them will be guided to the right path and will be saved from disparity.
Thus, Imam Husain (a.s) is part of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s), and whoever follows him is guided and saved from disparities, and whoever is left behind is drowned and pushed into Hellfire.
- Husain: The Chief of the Youth of Paradise
The Prophet of God (PBUHH) was reported to have said:
الْحَسَنُ وَالْحُسَيْنُ سَيِّدَا شَبَابِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ
“Hasan and Husain are the Chiefs of the youth of Paradise[15].”
From the above, it is clear that Imam Husain is indeed an inmate of Paradise and, above all, he is the Chief of the youth of Paradise.
- Husain: A part of the Prophet
The Prophet of God (PBUHH) was reported to have said:
حُسَیْنٌ مِنِّی وَأَنَا مِنْ حُسَیْنٍ، أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ أَحَبَّ حُسَیْنًا، حُسَیْنٌ سِبْطٌ مِنَ الْأَسْبَاطِ
“Husain is from me and I am from Husain[16].”
- Lovers of Husain are loved by Allah
The Prophet of God (PBUHH) was reported to have said:
حُسَیْنٌ مِنِّی وَأَنَا مِنْ حُسَیْنٍ، أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ أَحَبَّ حُسَیْنًا، حُسَیْنٌ سِبْطٌ مِنَ الْأَسْبَاطِ
“Husain is from me and I am from Husain. Allah loves whoever loves Husain”
- Lovers of Husain are inmates of Paradise
The Prophet of God (PBUHH) was reported to have said:
یا ایها الناس هذا الحُسَینُ بنُ عَلیّ فاعرفوهُ، فَوَالَذِی نَفسِی بِیَدِهِ إِنَّهُ لَفِی الجَنَّةِ وَ مُحِبّیهِ فِی الجَنَّةِ وَ مُحِبِّی مُحِبّیهِ فِی الجَنَّةِ
O people! This is Husain, son of Ali, try to know him. I swear by Him whom my soul is in His hand, He is indeed an inmate of Paradise. His lovers and the lovers of their lovers are also inmates of Paradise[17]
Similarly,
الحسن و الحسين ابنيّ، من أحبّهما أحبّني و من أحبّني أحبّه اللّه و من أحبّه اللّه أدخله الجنّة و من أبغضهما أبغضني و من أبغضني أبغضه اللّه و من أبغضه اللّه أدخله النار على وجهه
Hasan and Husain are my sons; whoever loves them (has indeed) loved me, and whoever loves me, Allah will love him. And whoever is loved by Allah will be in Paradise. Whoever hates them (has indeed) hated me, and whoever hates me, Allah will hate him. And whoever is hated by Allah will certainly be put in Hellfire.
From these Prophetic Hadiths, the noble status of Imam Husain (a.s) in the sight of Allah and that of the noble Prophet of God is depicted. Thus, he (a.s) is part of the Prophet, and the Prophet is part of Husain. Loving him is tantamount to loving the Prophet, and disliking him is tantamount to disliking the Prophet. Whoever loves the Prophet is loved by Allah and shall be an inmate of Paradise. Whoever dislikes the Prophet is disliked by Allah and will be an inmate of Hellfire.
In light of the above-quoted verses of the Qur’an and the Prophetic traditions (Hadiths), it is established that Imam Husain, peace be upon him, is a noble status and respected personality in the sight of Allah and the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his Household).
Conclusion
The status of Imam Husain (PBUH) in Islam is one of immense reverence, rooted in his noble lineage, spiritual purity, and unparalleled sacrifice. As the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his life exemplified devotion to God, defense of truth, and resistance to tyranny. His stand at Karbala was not merely a political act but a timeless moral and spiritual revolution that continues to inspire Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Through Qur’anic references, Prophetic traditions, and the enduring legacy of Ashura, Imam Husain remains a guiding light for those who seek justice, dignity, and righteousness. His memory lives on in the hearts of believers, serving as a profound reminder of the eternal struggle between truth and falsehood.
Notes:
[1] . Yaʿqūbī, Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī, vol. 2, p. 246; Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 27; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 2, p. 555.
[2] . Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 27.
[3] . Qur’an 33:33.
[4] . Fatḥī, Ḥadīth sayyidā shabāb ahl al-janna wa masʾala-yi afḍalīyyat-i imam, p. 61.
[5] . Ibn ʿAṭīyya, al-Muḥarrar al-wajīz, vol. 13, p. 72; Ibn Kathīr, Tafsīr al-Qurʾān, vol. 3, p. 799.
[6] . Ṭabāṭabā’ī, al-Mīzān, vol. 16, p. 311; Ṭabrisī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, vol. 8, p. 155-157.
[7] . Ṭabrisī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, vol. 9, p. 48.
[8] . ʿAllāma al-Ḥillī, Nahj al-Ḥaq, p. 175.
[9] . Zamakhsharī, Tafsīr al-kashshāf, under 3:61 ‘verse, Fakhr al-Rāzī, al-Tafsīr al-kabīr, under 3:61 ‘verse, Bayḍāwī, Tafsīr anwār al-tanzīl wa asrār al-taʾwīl, under 3:61 ‘verse.
[10] . Makārim Shīrāzī, Payām-i Qurʾān, vol. 9, p. 399-403.
[11] . Majlisī, Muḥammad Bāqir ibn Muḥammad Taqi (1982). Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 226, Hadith 2.
[12] . Sahih Tirmidhi vol. 5 p 329 (Had no. 3876.
[13] . Ṭūsī, al-Amālī, p. 633; Daylamī, Irshād al-qulūb, vol. 2, p. 306; Ṣadūq, ʿUyūn akhbār al-Riḍā, vol. 2, p. 27;
[14] . Mustadrak Sahihayn vol. 3 p 149.
[15] . Tirmidhī, Sunan al-Tirmidhī, vol. 5, p. 656; Kūfī, al-Muṣannaf, vol. 6, p. 378.
[16] . Majlisī, Muḥammad Bāqir ibn Muḥammad Taqi (1982). Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 37, p. 74.
[17] . Al-Amali, Sadouq, p. 355.
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