Touching Martyrdom of Hani Ibn Urwa

Shrine of Janab-E-Hani in Kufa(Iraq)

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The martyrdom of Hani ibn Urwa is also a very touching part of Karbala revolution. He was executed on the orders of Ibn Ziyad, Governor of Kufa, after the martyrdom of Hazrat Muslim. Hani lost his life for playing host to the ambassador of Imam Hussain and refusing to handover him to the Governor. Ibn Ziyad was not aware about the whereabouts of Hazrat Muslim in Kufa. He retained a person called Maqil to act as a spy. He pretended himself as a supporter of Imam Hussain and managed to convince Muslim ibn Awsaja al-Asadi of his sincerity, Maqil earned an audience with Hazrat Muslim and reported about his presence at the house of Hani. The governor then summoned him to his court. When Hani feigned his ignorance about Hazrat Muslim on being questioned, ibn Ziyad produced Maqil and asked “ Do you know him?”.Hani replied with a firm ‘yes’ but refused to hand over Hazrat Muslim. He offered to release Hazrat Muslim from his house and protection but ibn Ziyad retorted “ You will never leave me unless you bring him!".

The governor received a befitting reply "No, by God, I will not bring him to you." Hani continued, "By God, indeed there would be shame and disgrace for me were I to hand over one who has come under my protection and is my guest, while I am still alive and sound. I can hear; I see well; I have a strong arm and many helpers. By God, if I was the only one without any helper, I would not hand him over until I had died on his behalf". Even after listening to his blunt refusal, Ibn Ziyad insisted "Bring him to me or I will have your head cut off", He also struck at Hani's face with his cane, broke his nose and continued to inflict blows till blood and flesh sprinkled his beard. Later, the Governor got him locked in a room. As Hani was a respected and popular resident of Kufa, the news of his capture spread like a wild fire. Under the leadership of Amr ibn al-Hajjaj, people of Hani’s tribe Madhhij surrounded the Governor’s palace. They were under the impression as if Hani had been killed. Apprehending an uprising, Ibn Ziyad called for Shuraih (the judge) and asked him to see for himself that Hani was alive and to tell his tribesmen to go home as no harm was caused to Hani.  Shuraih found Hani alive but severely beaten and profusely bleeding. He wanted to report what he saw but ibn Ziyad threatened to kill him if he revealed the truth. Shuraih out of fear only told tribesmen that Hani was alive. On his assurance, they left palace without taking Hani with them.

Sheikh Mufeed has recorded that Muhammad bin al-Aashas interceded on behalf of Hani upon coming to know that he was alive .  He told ibn Ziyad  “You are aware of the honor that Hani holds in this town while also his family in the tribe. His people know that I and my colleague have brought him to your presence, hence I request you in the name of Allah to hand him over to me, for I do not desire enmity with the people of this town.” The Governor  promised to do so but later regretted and immediately ordered that Hani should be taken to the market and beheaded. His men took him to the market, where the sheep were sold, with hands bound together. He repeatedly called out “O Mazhaj! There is no one from the Mazhaj for me today! O Mazhaj! Where is Mazhaj”? When  no one came forward , he pulled away his hand from the rope and started yelling, “Isn’t there a stick, a knife, a stone or even a bone by which a man may defend himself”? The soldiers pounced upon him and tied his hands tightly. They asked him to extend his neck so that they could  behead him. In reply, Hani said  “I am not generous in this regard and shall not help you in the matter of my murder.” Then Rashid, a Turkish retainer of ibn Ziyad, made a blow with his sword but the attempt proved futile. Upon this, Hani said “Verily retreat is towards Allah. O Allah! I come towards Your Mercy and Your Paradise.” Then, Rashid dealt a second blow to make Hani the first martyr among the lovers of Ahle-Bait. He of remained loyal to Imam and his emissary till the last breath of his life. History  reveals two versions about the remains of Hazrat Muslim and Janab-E-Hani. It is written in Manaqib that the heads of Muslim bin Aqil and Hani Ibn Urwa were sent to Damascus and were hung at the gate of the city. But the Maqtal of Sheikh Fakhruddin mentions that the bodies of Muslim and Hani were being dragged in the market. When men of Hani’s tribe came to know about it, they mounted on their horses and took the bodies of the martyrs after fighting fiercely with Ibn Ziyad’s henchmen. Then they performed their last rites. Janab-e-Hani’s shrine behind the great Mosque of Kufa is popular among the lovers of Ahle-Bait. Visit to his shrine reminds them as to how the heart of a true Muslim should be filled with the love for Holy Prophet and his progeny. It also inspires them to sacrifice their lives for upholding the truth and human values.(References available on request)