Habib ibn Muzahir
Encyclopedia
Habīb ibn Muzāhir al-Asadi was of the Banu Asad
clan, one of the companions of Muhammad who was martyred in Karbala
.
. He fought with the third Shia Imam, Husayn ibn Ali
against the forces of Yazid
, led by Umar ibn Sa'ad
. Umar ibn Sa'ad was the son of Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas, who introduced Islam in China during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan. Husayn's forces were heavily outnumbered. Husayn had a grand total of 73 or more soldiers, as some soldiers from the opposition had joined his side through his influence. The most famous example of a person who joined Husayn's side through influence was a former soldier of Yazid called Hurr
. Husayn's forces fought at least 7 lacs of the enemy forces led by Umar ibn Sa'ad. Although, Husayn was given a chance to surrender himself and swear loyalty to Yazid he always refused saying: "Yazid is a drunkard womanizer, who is unfit for leadership. I am the grandson of the messenger of Allah. A person like me does not surrender himself to a person like him. I am the heir of the messenger of Allah, and I deserve leadership more than anyone else".
Husayn's army was split into 3 sections, the left flank, the right flank and the Ahl al-bayt
. The Ahl al-bayt section consisted of the Banu Hashim
, i.e., the clan of Hashim. The Ahl al-Bayt, in that context, referred to anyone who was from the family of Muhammad
, either from himself or his cousins. Ahl al-Bayt means People of the House in Arabic. Habib was given the duty of being in charge of the left flank of Husayn's army, despite the fact that he was 70 years old. It is said in the book 'Karbala and Ashura', by Ali Husayn Jalali, that Habib killed 62 of the enemy soldiers before being taken as captive by enemy forces and later on decapitated by a commander in the enemy forces called Shimr ibn Dhil-Jawshan. The Shia hold the belief that: it is not unusual for a man of who is 70 years old to kill 62 soldiers, if his faith (iman
) mounts to a very high level. It is apparent that an anti-Islamic website states that Husayn sacrificed his family and companions as well as himself in the pursuit of power. This is obviously not true, because if it was power he was after he would have surrendered himself to Yazid, in exchange for many estates, a lot of promised wealth and high status. A reasonable question that arises from the statement that Husayn wanted power is, if Husayn was looking for power, why did he bring women and children with him? This proves that Husayn was never looking for power but wanted the women, children and his son Ali ibn Husayn, the only male survivor of the battle, to be witnesses to his sacrifice in order to convey the message of Islam by showing the great sacrifice of Husayn. Husayn is greatly known for his loyalty to Islam, his great sacrifice and his little concern for power by most Muslims, most notably by Shias, as well as many non-Muslims.
, who could have destroyed the forces of Yazid with ease. Husayn refused this offer saying: 'our aim is to sacrifice ourselves to save Islam and to influence the people to alter their own destinies by following true-Islam'. The Shia belief strongly states that Husayn's sacrifice was not a defeat but a victory. They define victory as achieving something that you aim for, rather than achieving a victory by defeating your opponent. Husayn aimed for sacrificing himself for Islam and to influence as many people as possible to alter their own destinies by following the true-path of Islam, thus making his sacrifice a victory and not a defeat.
Banu Asad
The Bani Assad or Banu Assad is an Arab tribe in Iraq. They are Adnanite Arabs, powerful and one of the most famous tribes. They are widely respected by many Arab tribes, respected by Shia Muslims because they have buried the body of Imam Husayn, his family and companions with the help of Imam...
clan, one of the companions of Muhammad who was martyred in 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...
.
Battle of Karbala
Habib heavily contributed in the Battle of KarbalaBattle 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...
. He fought with the third Shia Imam, Husayn ibn Ali
Husayn ibn Ali
Hussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
against the forces of Yazid
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...
, led by Umar ibn Sa'ad
Umar ibn Sa'ad
Umar ibn Sa'ad was the son of Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas. He was a clergyman and governor of Ray city, and took orders from Ibn Ziyad...
. Umar ibn Sa'ad was the son of Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas, who introduced Islam in China during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan. Husayn's forces were heavily outnumbered. Husayn had a grand total of 73 or more soldiers, as some soldiers from the opposition had joined his side through his influence. The most famous example of a person who joined Husayn's side through influence was a former soldier of Yazid called Hurr
Hurr
Al-Hurr ibn Yazid Al Riyahi was one of the Ummayad deserter commanders during the Battle of Karbala.-Who was Al-Hurr ibn Yazid:Hurr ibn Yazid Al-Riyahi was the commander of Yazid I’s regiment, he was the son of Yazid ibn Najiyah bin Qa'nab bin Yitab bin Hur in the lineage of Al-Yarbo'ir Riyahi.He...
. Husayn's forces fought at least 7 lacs of the enemy forces led by Umar ibn Sa'ad. Although, Husayn was given a chance to surrender himself and swear loyalty to Yazid he always refused saying: "Yazid is a drunkard womanizer, who is unfit for leadership. I am the grandson of the messenger of Allah. A person like me does not surrender himself to a person like him. I am the heir of the messenger of Allah, and I deserve leadership more than anyone else".
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...
. The Ahl al-bayt section consisted of the Banu Hashim
Banu Hashim
Banū Hāshim was a clan in the Quraysh tribe. Muhammad, was a member of this clan; his great-grandfather was Hashim, for whom the clan is named. Members of this clan are referred to by the Anglicised version of their name as Hashemites, or Huseini or Hasani...
, i.e., the clan of Hashim. The Ahl al-Bayt, in that context, referred to anyone who was from the family of Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, either from himself or his cousins. Ahl al-Bayt means People of the House in Arabic. Habib was given the duty of being in charge of the left flank of Husayn's army, despite the fact that he was 70 years old. It is said in the book 'Karbala and Ashura', by Ali Husayn Jalali, that Habib killed 62 of the enemy soldiers before being taken as captive by enemy forces and later on decapitated by a commander in the enemy forces called Shimr ibn Dhil-Jawshan. The Shia hold the belief that: it is not unusual for a man of who is 70 years old to kill 62 soldiers, if his faith (iman
Iman (concept)
Iman is an Arabic term which denotes certitude or adherence to an idea. In Islamic theology, it refers to the inner aspect of the religion, and denotes a believer's faith in the metaphysical realities of Islam. The term Iman has been delineated in both the Quran as well as the famous Hadith of...
) mounts to a very high level. It is apparent that an anti-Islamic website states that Husayn sacrificed his family and companions as well as himself in the pursuit of power. This is obviously not true, because if it was power he was after he would have surrendered himself to Yazid, in exchange for many estates, a lot of promised wealth and high status. A reasonable question that arises from the statement that Husayn wanted power is, if Husayn was looking for power, why did he bring women and children with him? This proves that Husayn was never looking for power but wanted the women, children and his son Ali ibn Husayn, the only male survivor of the battle, to be witnesses to his sacrifice in order to convey the message of Islam by showing the great sacrifice of Husayn. Husayn is greatly known for his loyalty to Islam, his great sacrifice and his little concern for power by most Muslims, most notably by Shias, as well as many non-Muslims.
The Purpose of military Loss
In accordance to Shia tradition, Husayn ibn Ali was offered help from the JinnJinn
Jinn are supernatural beings in Arab folklore and Islamic teachings.Jinn may also refer to:* Jinn , a Japanese band* Qui-Gon Jinn, a character in the Star Wars universe...
, who could have destroyed the forces of Yazid with ease. Husayn refused this offer saying: 'our aim is to sacrifice ourselves to save Islam and to influence the people to alter their own destinies by following true-Islam'. The Shia belief strongly states that Husayn's sacrifice was not a defeat but a victory. They define victory as achieving something that you aim for, rather than achieving a victory by defeating your opponent. Husayn aimed for sacrificing himself for Islam and to influence as many people as possible to alter their own destinies by following the true-path of Islam, thus making his sacrifice a victory and not a defeat.
See also
- Husayn ibn AliHusayn ibn AliHussein ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib and Fātimah Zahrā...
- Hasan ibn AliHasan ibn AliAl-Hasan ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib is an important figure in Islam, the son of Fatimah the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and of the fourth Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib. Hasan is a member of the Ahl al-Bayt and Ahl al-Kisa...
- Ali ibn Husayn
- Ali ibn Abi Talib
- MuhammadMuhammadMuhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
- Ahl al-baytAhl al-BaytAhl 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...
- Zaynab bint AliZaynab bint AliZaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
- Abbas ibn AliAbbas ibn AliAl-‘Abbās ibn ‘Ali was the son of ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib and fourth Rashidun Caliph) and Fātimah bint Hizam al-Kilabiyyah .Al-‘Abbās is revered by Muslims for his loyalty to his half-brother Husayn ibn ‘Alī, his respect for the...
- Ali Akbar ibn HusaynAli Akbar ibn HusaynAli al-Akbar ibn Husayn was the son of the third Shi'ah Imam, Husayn ibn Ali, and Umm Layla.- Life :...
- Ali Asghar ibn Husayn
- HurrHurrAl-Hurr ibn Yazid Al Riyahi was one of the Ummayad deserter commanders during the Battle of Karbala.-Who was Al-Hurr ibn Yazid:Hurr ibn Yazid Al-Riyahi was the commander of Yazid I’s regiment, he was the son of Yazid ibn Najiyah bin Qa'nab bin Yitab bin Hur in the lineage of Al-Yarbo'ir Riyahi.He...
- Aun ibn Abdullah and Muhammad ibn AbdullahAun ibn Abdullah and Muhammad ibn AbdullahAun and Muhammad were the sons of Abdullah ibn Ja'far and Zaynab binti Ali. They had not accompanied Zaynab binti Ali when she left Medina with the third Shi’a Imam, Hussain ibn Ali...
- Fazal ibn AbbasFazal ibn AbbasAl-Fadl ibn al-Abbas or known in Persian Fazal ibn Abbas was the son of al-Abbas ibn Ali and Lubaba bint Ubaydillah. He and his brother Qasim ibn al-Abbas were killed in the Battle of Karbala at the age of 16...
- Qasim ibn AbbasQasim ibn AbbasQasim ibn abbas was the son of Abbas ibn Ali and Lubaba bint Ubaydillah. He and his brother al-Fadl ibn al-Abbas were killed in the Battle of Karbala...
- Obaidullah ibn Abbas
- Zuhayr ibn QaynZuhayr ibn Qayn-Battle of Karbala:Zuhayr ibn Qayn is best known for his participation in the Battle of Karbala. Despite the fact that he did not want to even speak to Husayn ibn Ali, he eventually spoke to him when his tribe met his companions and his wife influenced him into speaking with Husayn. After meeting...
- YazidYazid-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...
- Shia Islam