Dr.Mazhar
Naqvi
Hazrat
Imam Hussain’s farewell meeting with his son Imam Zain-ul-Abidin is heart-breaking chapter
of Karbala revolution. Zakirs frequently highlight the meeting between Imam Hussain
and his son during Ayam-E-Aza in view of various philosophical aspects associated
with of Aza-E-Hussain. It was in this meeting, Imam Hussain had briefed about
what happened on the plains of Karbala on Ashura? And in reply, his son had insisted
on engaging himself in Jihad despite illness that had kept him in almost unconscious
state since dawn. Imam Zainul Abidin regained consciousness when his wounded father
repeatedly called out “Is there anyone who will come to my aid? Is there anyone
who will defend the family of the Allah’s Messenger?” No one responded to Imam’s
call, for his companions had been slain. The women cried aloud for his
destitution. The wailing awoke Imam Zain-ul-Abidin. He walked to the door of
the tent with difficulty, carrying his sword. His aunt Umme Kulsum upon seeing inability
to even stand grabbed him. She asked him to go back to the tent. But he refused,
saying “O Aunt let go of me. Let me defend my father.” Realizing the intention of his son, Imam Hussain
called out to his sister, “O Umme Kulsum do not let go of him least the earth
becomes devoid of the progeny of the Messenger.”
Fazil
Darbandi writes in Asrar al-Shahadah that Imam ran towards Zainul Abidin, took
him inside the tent and asked , “O Son what is your intention?”
The
ailing son replied “O Father your cries for help have torn the arteries from my
heart and have taken my peace of mind. I need to go! I wish to give my life for
you.”
Then
Imam said “O Son you are unwell. Jihad is not your obligation nor is it
permissible for you. You are the Proof, the Imam of my admirers and
well-wishers . You are the father of the Imams who are to come. You are the
guardian of the orphans and the widows. You will have to take them back to
Madina. The earth may never be empty of an Imam; the proof from my lineage.”
Syed-e-Sajjad
then asked d “O Father should I watch while you are killed? If only I had died
before this.” Imam Hussain embraced his son, cried and then bid farewell to his
son. Another description of Imam’s final farewell with his son is given in
al-Dam’at al-Sakibah. It says when Imam
found himself left on his own, he went to the tents of his brothers. He looked
inside them and found them empty. He went to the tents of the sons of ‘Aqil.
Finding them empty, he proceeded to the tents of his non-Hashimi companions and
saw that they too were empty. He repeatedly uttered the prayer “There is no
might or strength save with Allah the Grand the Mighty.” Then the Imam went to
the tents of the women and after that went to the tent of his son. He saw that Syed-E-Sajjad
had fallen unconscious due to severe sickness and her beloved sister Hazrat Zainab
was nursing him. Even in that condition, Imam Sajjad felt the smell of his
father, opened his eyes and wished to stand in respect but could not do so out
of sheer weakness. He requested his aunt Lend him support so that he may sit. With
her help, he sat on the bed, facing his father. Imam asked his son “how is your
condition’? The son replied, “Praise and glory be to Allah.” Then he asked,
“What news is there of your affairs with these people?” Imam Hussain said “Shaitan
(demon) has succeeded with these people and has driven away the remembrance of
Allah from their hearts. A mighty battle has taken place between us and them
and the plains of Karbala’ are covered with our blood,”. In anguish, Imam Zainul
Abidin asked “What has happened to my uncle ‘Abbas, O father?”. The question
moved Lady Zainab. She looked at her brother with tears in eyes to see what would
be the reply? Imam had not given the news of ‘Abbas’s martyrdom to his son, fearing
worsening his sickness with such a shock. Imam said “O son they have severed
the arms of your uncle and killed him on the banks of the Euphrates,”. Upon
hearing the words of his father, Imam Zainul-Abidin wept uncontrollably and fainted.
When he regained consciousness, he enquired
about each one of the companions and his father kept telling him they had given
their lives for him? However when his son asked “Where is my brother ‘Ali?
Where is Habeeb ibn Mazahir? Where are Muslim ibn Awsajah and Zuhair ibn Qain?
Hussain simply answered “O Son, know
that there aren’t any men left of us. Save for me and you,” .The son wept and said
to his aunt Hazrat Zainab , “Hand me my sword and staff.” “Why do you ask for
your sword and staff?” enquired his father . “The staff to support myself while
I defend the son of the Messenger with my sword for life has no worth after
you.” replied the son. Imam embraced and comforted his son saying, “O Son you are the purest and the
noblest of my descent. You are the guardian in my place of these destitute and
oppressed orphans and widows. They have no one except you to save them from
their enemies. Be kind to them and a source of comfort for them.” Then he
called out, “O Zainab! O Umme Kulsum! O Sakeena! O Ruqaiya! O Fatima! Hear my
words and understand that this son of mine will assume my position. He is the
Imam whose obedience is obligatory.” His final words to Imam Zainul-Abidin
were, “O my son convey my greetings to my Shia and tell them your father died
alone in a foreign land so lament him for he went from this world as a martyr
with thirst and hunger. Therefore, weep for him.” (The article is being posted
to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Zainul Abidin. Other references also
available. Photo Courtesy Google Images)
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