Abdullah ibn Omayr Abu Wahab al Kalbi
Encyclopedia
Abdullah ibn Omayr Abu Wahab al Kalbi was one of the Companions of Husayn ibn Ali
, who was martyred along with him in the battle of Karbala
. Abu Wahab Al Kalbi joined Husayn ibn Ali
in Karbala
and fought along side with him. He belonged to Al Kalb tribe majority of whom were adherents of Christianity
at that time. His wife Umm Wahab was amongst the female Martyrs of Karbala.
by birth and remained Christian He knew that the people who came to kill Hussain in attle of Karbala]were all Muslim, Haji, and hafiz-e- Quran. Mullah always lie that he became Muslim. He was a Christain and died Christain. He was a known businessperson of Kufa
. Abu Wahab discussed with his mother and wife before converting to Islam
and later joining Al Husayn ibn Ali
in the battle against Yazid’s
forces. Abu Wahab was returning from Kufa
after getting married. He was still seventeen years and his wife was just twelve years old. When Abu Wahab was passing from Karbala
he saw Husayn ibn Ali
surrounded by the enemies and was along with his family and very few friends.
Abu Wahab was aroused by Al Husayn’s
spiritual charisma in such a manner that he was reluctant to leave him despite of being aware about the consequences of staying with Husayn ibn Ali
. Abu Wahab was a tall and masculine man with broad shoulders, who was held with very high esteem among his people, and was known of his courage and soldierly experience.
On the preceding night of Ashura
the following conversion was held between Abu Wahab and his mother:
Abu Wahab asked her: 'Mother! What should I do in this situation?' The mother asked Wahab: 'How do you feel yourself, my son?' Wahab said: 'In my opinion Husayn
is on the just path and it would be cowardly and against all traditions of Arab chivalry
and gallantry to leave the side of a man so isolated and surrounded by blood-thirsty enemies.' The mother said: 'But that means definite death.' Wahab replied: 'Yes I know, but my heart tells me that this is the right thing to do, in these circumstances.' The mother then said: 'If that is how you feel then we will stay with Husayn
.'
Abu Wahab’s mother then pleaded on his behalf and said:
"O grandson of the prophet of Islam ! It will be an honor for me if my son fights for you and gives his life protecting you." Husayn
was still reluctant to accept Wahab as one of his soldiers and advised him not to risk his life that too in a matter which concerns Muslims. When Abu Wahab saw this, he said:
'O grandson of the prophet of Islam! If that is the case then, from this moment on, I am a Muslim
.'
Abu Wahab testified (Kalimah) that:
“There is none worth worshiping besides Allah
and Mohammad is His messenger”
, he was granted permission by Husayn ibn Ali
to fight the Yazid's
forces on his side. In the first campaign of battle of Karbala
, Yasir, Ziyad's
slave and Salim, Ibn Ziyad's slave set out and challenged anyone from Husayn ibn Ali's
army to have a duel with them. At this, Habib ibn Mazahir
and Burayr expressed their desire to take up the challenge nevertheless they were denied permission by Husayn ibn Ali
. When Abu Wahab asked for the permission, Husayn
granted him permission believing him to be match for both the challengers.
Abu Wahab stepped into the battlefield and the challengers asked his identity to which he introduced himself. However they could not recognize him and asked either Zuhayr ibn Qayn
, Habib ibn Muzahir
or Burayr to fight them. Yasir was standing nearby to whom Abu Wahab said "You son of the adulteress! Do you not wish to fight me?!" saying this he attacked Yasir and engaged him in a sword duel but at the same time Salim charged at him with his sword. Abu Wahab while protecting himself lost fingers of his left hand and in retaliatory attack he killed Salim and Yasir. After killing both of them he moved bck to Al Husayn while reciting Martial poetry.
Umm Wahab was watching every thing. After witnessing a brave combat of her husband she came to Abu Wahab and said: “May both my parents be sacrificed for you! Do defend the good ones, the offspring of Muhammed, Allah's
peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny!”
She did not leave and wanted to die with him, however Husayn ibn Ali
intervened and said: “May you be well rewarded on behalf of your Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt
! Go back to the tent! Women are not required to fight!” and she followed the instructions.
attacked Al Husayn's
right wing. Wahab in that engagement killed 31 of them, of which 19 were Horsemen and 12 were Footmen. His right hand was severed by Hani ibn thabit al Hadrami and left hand by Bakr ibn Hayy having left without arms he was taken captive and killed on that spot. Abu Wahab was then beheaded
and his head was thrown towards Husayn ibn Ali's
camp, it was picked up by his mother, she took it, wiped the blood from it then ran in the direction of the enemy forces. Husayn ibn Ali
sent her back saying, “Go back, may Allah
have mercy on you, for you are exempted from participating in
Jihad
.” She went back saying, “O Allah
! Do not disappoint me!” Al Husayn
said to her, “May Allah
never disappoint you!”
and asked him 'Are you the rightful Imam
?' Husayn
replied: 'Yes, I am.' She said: 'Then if Wahab dies protecting you, he would go to the Paradise?' Husayn
said: 'Yes, he would.' Then she said:'Can you promise me that you would not let Wahab enter Paradise without me ?' Husayn
said:' Yes, I promise you, you and Wahab will enter Paradise together.'
When Abu Wahab was killed, she walked towards his corpse and sat at his head, wiping the blood from it and saying, “Congratulations for having earned Paradise! I plead to Allah
Who blessed you with Paradise to make me join you.” Al Shimr
heard her and ordered his slave Rustam to hit her head with a rod or mace, which he did. She died there and thus became the first female martyr of Karbala.
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
, who was martyred along with him in the battle of Karbala
Battle of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, in the year 61 of the Islamic calendar in Karbala, in present day Iraq. On one side of the highly uneven battle were a small group of supporters and relatives of Muhammad's grandson Husain ibn Ali, and on the other was a large military detachment...
. Abu Wahab Al Kalbi joined Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
in Karbala
Karbala
Karbala is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorate, and has an estimated population of 572,300 people ....
and fought along side with him. He belonged to Al Kalb tribe majority of whom were adherents of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
at that time. His wife Umm Wahab was amongst the female Martyrs of Karbala.
Early life and conversion to Islam
Abu Wahab was a ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
by birth and remained Christian He knew that the people who came to kill Hussain in attle of Karbala]were all Muslim, Haji, and hafiz-e- Quran. Mullah always lie that he became Muslim. He was a Christain and died Christain. He was a known businessperson of Kufa
Kufa
Kufa is a city in Iraq, about south of Baghdad, and northeast of Najaf. It is located on the banks of the Euphrates River. The estimated population in 2003 was 110,000....
. Abu Wahab discussed with his mother and wife before converting to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and later joining Al Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
in the battle against Yazid’s
Yazid
-Given name:* Yazid I , second Umayyad Caliph upon succeeding his father Muawiyah* Yazid II, Umayyad caliph* Yazid III, Umayyad caliph* Yazid Kaïssi, French-born Moroccan footballer* Yazid Mansouri, French-born Algerian footballer...
forces. Abu Wahab was returning from Kufa
Kufa
Kufa is a city in Iraq, about south of Baghdad, and northeast of Najaf. It is located on the banks of the Euphrates River. The estimated population in 2003 was 110,000....
after getting married. He was still seventeen years and his wife was just twelve years old. When Abu Wahab was passing from Karbala
Karbala
Karbala is a city in Iraq, located about southwest of Baghdad. Karbala is the capital of Karbala Governorate, and has an estimated population of 572,300 people ....
he saw Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
surrounded by the enemies and was along with his family and very few friends.
Abu Wahab was aroused by Al Husayn’s
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
spiritual charisma in such a manner that he was reluctant to leave him despite of being aware about the consequences of staying with Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
. Abu Wahab was a tall and masculine man with broad shoulders, who was held with very high esteem among his people, and was known of his courage and soldierly experience.
On the preceding night of Ashura
Day of Ashura
The Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram.It is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10...
the following conversion was held between Abu Wahab and his mother:
Abu Wahab asked her: 'Mother! What should I do in this situation?' The mother asked Wahab: 'How do you feel yourself, my son?' Wahab said: 'In my opinion Husayn
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
is on the just path and it would be cowardly and against all traditions of Arab chivalry
Chivalry
Chivalry is a term related to the medieval institution of knighthood which has an aristocratic military origin of individual training and service to others. Chivalry was also the term used to refer to a group of mounted men-at-arms as well as to martial valour...
and gallantry to leave the side of a man so isolated and surrounded by blood-thirsty enemies.' The mother said: 'But that means definite death.' Wahab replied: 'Yes I know, but my heart tells me that this is the right thing to do, in these circumstances.' The mother then said: 'If that is how you feel then we will stay with Husayn
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
.'
Abu Wahab’s mother then pleaded on his behalf and said:
"O grandson of the prophet of Islam ! It will be an honor for me if my son fights for you and gives his life protecting you." Husayn
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
was still reluctant to accept Wahab as one of his soldiers and advised him not to risk his life that too in a matter which concerns Muslims. When Abu Wahab saw this, he said:
'O grandson of the prophet of Islam! If that is the case then, from this moment on, I am a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
.'
Abu Wahab testified (Kalimah) that:
“There is none worth worshiping besides Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
and Mohammad is His messenger”
Abu Wahab's Duel in Battle of Karbala
After Abu Wahab converted to IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, he was granted permission by Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
to fight the Yazid's
Yazid
-Given name:* Yazid I , second Umayyad Caliph upon succeeding his father Muawiyah* Yazid II, Umayyad caliph* Yazid III, Umayyad caliph* Yazid Kaïssi, French-born Moroccan footballer* Yazid Mansouri, French-born Algerian footballer...
forces on his side. In the first campaign of battle of Karbala
Battle of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, in the year 61 of the Islamic calendar in Karbala, in present day Iraq. On one side of the highly uneven battle were a small group of supporters and relatives of Muhammad's grandson Husain ibn Ali, and on the other was a large military detachment...
, Yasir, Ziyad's
Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan
Ziyad ibn Abeeh where 'Abeeh' means 'his father' since his ancestry is disputed. was a Muslim general and administrator and a member of the clan of the Umayyads.-Biography:...
slave and Salim, Ibn Ziyad's slave set out and challenged anyone from Husayn ibn Ali's
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
army to have a duel with them. At this, Habib ibn Mazahir
Habib ibn Muzahir
Habīb ibn Muzāhir al-Asadi was of the Banu Asad clan, one of the companions of Muhammad who was martyred in Karbala.-Battle of Karbala:Habib heavily contributed in the Battle of Karbala. He fought with the third Shia Imam, Husayn ibn Ali against the forces of Yazid, led by Umar ibn Sa'ad...
and Burayr expressed their desire to take up the challenge nevertheless they were denied permission by Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
. When Abu Wahab asked for the permission, Husayn
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
granted him permission believing him to be match for both the challengers.
Abu Wahab stepped into the battlefield and the challengers asked his identity to which he introduced himself. However they could not recognize him and asked either Zuhayr ibn Qayn
Zuhayr
Zuhayr , was a pre-Islamic Arabian poet who lived in the 6th century AD. He is considered one of the greatest writer of Arabic poetry in pre-Islamic times. Zuhayr belonged to the Muzaynah tribe. His father was a poet...
, Habib ibn Muzahir
Habib ibn Muzahir
Habīb ibn Muzāhir al-Asadi was of the Banu Asad clan, one of the companions of Muhammad who was martyred in Karbala.-Battle of Karbala:Habib heavily contributed in the Battle of Karbala. He fought with the third Shia Imam, Husayn ibn Ali against the forces of Yazid, led by Umar ibn Sa'ad...
or Burayr to fight them. Yasir was standing nearby to whom Abu Wahab said "You son of the adulteress! Do you not wish to fight me?!" saying this he attacked Yasir and engaged him in a sword duel but at the same time Salim charged at him with his sword. Abu Wahab while protecting himself lost fingers of his left hand and in retaliatory attack he killed Salim and Yasir. After killing both of them he moved bck to Al Husayn while reciting Martial poetry.
Umm Wahab was watching every thing. After witnessing a brave combat of her husband she came to Abu Wahab and said: “May both my parents be sacrificed for you! Do defend the good ones, the offspring of Muhammed, Allah's
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny!”
She did not leave and wanted to die with him, however Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
intervened and said: “May you be well rewarded on behalf of your Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt
Ahl al-Bayt
Ahl al-Bayt is an Arabic phrase literally meaning People of the House, or family of the House. The phrase "ahl al-bayt" was used in Arabia before the advent of Islam to refer to one's clan, and would be adopted by the ruling family of a tribe. Within the Islamic tradition, the term refers to the...
! Go back to the tent! Women are not required to fight!” and she followed the instructions.
Martyrdom
Abu Wahab participated in the retaliatory attack when Al ShimrShimr Ibn Thil-Jawshan
Shimr Ibn Thil-Jawshan was the commander in the Ummayad army during the Battle of Karbala, in southern Iraq that occurred in the year 680 AD. He was from the same tribe, Bani Kalab, as Abbas ibn Ali's mother....
attacked Al Husayn's
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
right wing. Wahab in that engagement killed 31 of them, of which 19 were Horsemen and 12 were Footmen. His right hand was severed by Hani ibn thabit al Hadrami and left hand by Bakr ibn Hayy having left without arms he was taken captive and killed on that spot. Abu Wahab was then beheaded
Beheaded
Beheaded is a Death metal band from Malta. They were formed in 1991, by singer Marcel Scalpello, guitarist David Bugeja, and drummer Chris Brincat...
and his head was thrown towards Husayn ibn Ali's
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
camp, it was picked up by his mother, she took it, wiped the blood from it then ran in the direction of the enemy forces. Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
sent her back saying, “Go back, may Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
have mercy on you, for you are exempted from participating in
Jihad
Jihad
Jihad , an Islamic term, is a religious duty of Muslims. In Arabic, the word jihād translates as a noun meaning "struggle". Jihad appears 41 times in the Quran and frequently in the idiomatic expression "striving in the way of God ". A person engaged in jihad is called a mujahid; the plural is...
.” She went back saying, “O Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
! Do not disappoint me!” Al Husayn
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
said to her, “May Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
never disappoint you!”
Umm Wahab the first female martyr of Karbala
Umm Wahab, wife of Abu Wahab was the daughter of Abdullah, who belonged to Al Nimr ibn Qasit, was reported to have approached Husayn ibn AliHusayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
and asked him 'Are you the rightful Imam
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
?' Husayn
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
replied: 'Yes, I am.' She said: 'Then if Wahab dies protecting you, he would go to the Paradise?' Husayn
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
said: 'Yes, he would.' Then she said:'Can you promise me that you would not let Wahab enter Paradise without me ?' Husayn
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
said:' Yes, I promise you, you and Wahab will enter Paradise together.'
When Abu Wahab was killed, she walked towards his corpse and sat at his head, wiping the blood from it and saying, “Congratulations for having earned Paradise! I plead to Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
Who blessed you with Paradise to make me join you.” Al Shimr
Shimr Ibn Thil-Jawshan
Shimr Ibn Thil-Jawshan was the commander in the Ummayad army during the Battle of Karbala, in southern Iraq that occurred in the year 680 AD. He was from the same tribe, Bani Kalab, as Abbas ibn Ali's mother....
heard her and ordered his slave Rustam to hit her head with a rod or mace, which he did. She died there and thus became the first female martyr of Karbala.
See Also
- Husayn ibn AliHusayn ibn AliHussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
- Battle of KarbalaBattle of KarbalaThe Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, in the year 61 of the Islamic calendar in Karbala, in present day Iraq. On one side of the highly uneven battle were a small group of supporters and relatives of Muhammad's grandson Husain ibn Ali, and on the other was a large military detachment...
- Martyrs of Karbala
- Mourning of MuharramMourning of MuharramThe Mourning of Muharram is an important period of mourning in Shia Islam, taking place in Muharram which is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is also called the Remembrance of Muharram...
- Day of AshuraDay of AshuraThe Day of Ashura is on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram.It is commemorated by Shia Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala on 10...