The Story Of Ashura 23 Urdu (Events of Karbala)

Now it was the Imam’s turn to sacrifice himself for the cause of Allah. He was standing alone in the battlefield but no one dared attack him. Enemy tried a number of times to kill Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh), but nobody was willing to take the responsibility of killing him, and wanted to bear the burden of this sin. At last, Shimr started provoking his army men to attack. They encircled Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) from every side. Now there were only woman and a few teenagers in the camp of the Ahl al-Bayt. A teen aged boy saw Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) in danger and became impatient. He picked up a wooden stick in his hands and ran out to help the Imam. Hadrat Sayyadah Zainab (radiyallahu ‘anha) saw him and caught hold of him. Hadrat Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) also said to his sister: “Stop him. Don’t let him come out.” The boy, however, forced himself loose from her grip and ran to the side of the Imam. The same moment Bahrain bin Ka’b drew his sword to strike the Imam. The boy remonstrated: “O’ wicked! Will you kill my uncle?” The stone-hearted assailant brought down his sword on the boy who took the blow on his arm. His hand was severed. The boy cried with pain. Hadrat Husain clasped him to his bosom and consoled him saying: “Be patient, my child! Let this suffering be the means of reward from Allah. Allah Ta’ala will join you with your elders: Nabi Muhammad (Salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam), Ali bin Abu Talib, Hamza, Ja’far, and Hasan bin Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhum).
Eventually, Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) remained alone to face the grim situation single-handed. The enemy now passed close to the Imam who began to wield his sword right and left and forced the enemy to retreat. Abdullah bin Amar who was himself taking part in the fight reported that he attacked Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) with his spear and might have killed him, but he desisted, thinking not to carry the sin on his head. He said: “Hadrat Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) was being attacked from all sides but he made the enemy to retreat. He was wearing a shirt and a turban. By Allah, I have not seen such a disheartened man whose family members were killed before his eyes, so valiant, bold, resolute, and steadfast. The position was that the attackers were running right and left like sheep before a lion.” This position continued for a long time. Meanwhile Hadrat Sayyadah Zainab (radiyallahu ‘anha), the sister of Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) came out of her tent and cried: “O’ Umar, would Abu Abdullah be killed before your eyes.” Umar turned his face but tears began to roll down from his eyes upon his cheeks and beard.

While fighting Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) felt very thirsty, and went towards Euphrates to quench his thirst but the enemy did not allow him to drink water. Suddenly his throat was pierced by an arrow. He pulled out the arrow and threw the blood which oozed out of his throat towards the sky saying: “O’ Allah! I complain only to Thee. See how the people are treating the grandson of Thy Beloved Messenger (Salla Allahu Ta'ala ‘alayhi wa Sallam).”
Then Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) turned towards his camp but he was resisted by Shimr and his companions. Then Imam Husain realized that their intent was to plunder the tents. Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) said: “If you have deserted your religion and are not afraid of the Last Day, at least you should respect the worldly morals. Keep safe my tents from your vagabonds and debauchees.” Shimr replied, “Yes, we shall not harm your tents.”
Now it was too late. The narrator reported that had the enemy wished it would have killed Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) earlier but nobody was inclined to take the responsibility of this heinous crime. At last Shimr [the Damned] cursed his army men and shouted: “May you meet with ill-fate. What are you waiting for? Why don’t you kill Husain?” The enemy surrounded him again. The Imam (radiyallahu ‘anh) said to Shimr: “Why are you inciting your army to kill me. By Allah, Allah would not be displeased on anyone else’s murder so much as of mine.”
The time of Imam Husain’s martyrdom was now drawing near. Zur’a bin Sharikh al-Tamimi injured Imam Husain’s left arm and then struck a blow on his shoulder. Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) swerved due weakness. People being frightened moved to the rear but Sinan bin Anas of Najaf 2 came forward and attacked Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) with a spear. Imam Husain fell down upon the ground. Shimr ordered a savage to sever the Imam’s head from his body but he could not do it. Sinan bin Anas, in a mood of indignation, cursed him; dismounted from his horse and cut off Imam Husain’s head from his body.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (radiyallahu ‘anh)3 narrated that after the murder of the Imam, thirty-three injuries of swords and thirty four wounds of arrow and spear were found on his dead body.