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Ali Asghar ibn Hussain was the youngest child of Hussain Ibn Ali (the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the third Imam in Shi’as) and Rubab, the daughter of the chief of the Kinda Imraul Qays tribe. He was born on April 14, 680 (Rajab 9, 60 AH) in the city of Medina and is honored by Muslims, particularly Shi’a Muslims, as the youngest martyr in the Battle Of Karbala . Ali Asghar was one of the three sons of Imam Hussain and the other two were Ali Ibn Husayn (the fourth imam of Shi’as) and Ali Akbar Ibn Husayn . MARTYRDOM AT KARBALA ACCORDING TO SHIA SOURCES On the day of Muharram 10, 60 AH (October 10, 680), which is known as Ashura when all companions of Imam Hussain were martyred in Karbala , Imam raised the voice of ''Isteghasa'' (call for help) ''“Hal min nasiro yansorona”''. Responding to the voice, Ali Asghar made himself fall from the cradle. Rubab told Imam Hussain what had happened, so the Imam lifted his infant son from the cradle, took him on his hands under covers towards the army of Yazid. As Imam Hussain reached the battlefield with his son, the army considered that he was carrying the Quran . Walking up to Yazid's army, Imam Hussain said, while uncovering the infant: “This child has done you no harm, he is dying of thirst, I am asking for a few drops of water for him.” There was stillness in Yazid's army. Then the Imam said to his son: “Asghar! My son, show them how thirsty you are!” Asghar turned his head towards the soldiers, smiled sweetly, opened his mouth, brought out his dry tongue and moved it over his dry lips. The soldiers were so affected by this that they could be heard sobbing. Umar Sa'ad became much worried. It seemed that Imam Hussain’s 6-month old son was emerging victorious against the might of Yazid . Umar Sa'ad looked at Hurmala ibn Kahel Azdi (a famous archer) and ordered: “Silence Hussain!” Then at once, Hurmala, lifting his bow made Ali Asghar the target of an arrow, which pierced the infant's neck.Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, ''Ta'rikh ar-Rasul wa'l-Muluk'', Ed. M.J. de Goeje, EJ Brill. Leiden, 1901 Ali Asghar smiled and kissed martyrdom while still in the hands of his father. Imam Hussain caught the blood of his son in the palm of his hands and wanted to throw it on the sky, at once a heavenly voice came:“Hussain don’t throw it towards the sky, otherwise it will not rain for ever till the Day Of Judgment .” Then Imam Hussain wanted to pour it on the earth but suddenly a heavenly voice came: “Hussain don’t pour it on the earth otherwise nothing will grow on the earth till the day of resurrection.” So Imam Hussain applied the blood on his face. The Imam looking at the sky and prayed “O Allah , give me courage in this most difficult moment of my life. No Prophet ever was subjected to a test as severe as this.” Then the Imam walked towards the tent of his wife Rubab. As he approached near he saw her standing at the entrance to her tent with anxiety, the hope, the fear and the restlessness in her eyes. Imam took seven steps back the tent saying ''Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajeoon'' (To Allah we belong and to Him we return). He again took seven steps forwards saying ''Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajeoon''. Once again he walked backwards repeating the same Ayat . Imam Hussain did this seven times. At last, Imam Hussain went to Rubab with their martyred infant and said: “Rubab! This is a test from Allah, which no mother has ever been asked to go through.”Husayn Wa'is al Kashifi, ''Rawdat ash-Shuhada'' p.343, ed. M. Ramazani, Tehran 1962 REVERENCE AFTER HIS MARTYRDOM Hazrat Ali Asghar’s grave is located in the city of Karbala in Iraq . He was buried with his father in the Imam Hussain Shrine , which is a regular stop for pilgrims.''Journeys of Tears'', published by the Wessex Jamaat In Muharram (first month of the Islamic lunar calendar) ceremonies and commemorations, Ali Asghar is represented as an innocent child suffering unbearable thirst. His martyrdom is celebrated at length in ''rawza-khani'' (recital of the ''Rawdat ash-Shuhada'', or "The Paradise of the Martyrs") literature and in early ''ta'ziya'' (a passion play of the Karbala tragedy) traditions a complete Majles was dedicated to the Ali Asghar, with the infant's cradle is a conspicuous element on the stage. Ali asghar is also represented in Muharram processions and celebrated in folklore. The tragic story of Ali Agshar's martyrdom has even influenced modern politics. In a June 3 , 1963 speech delivered by the leader of the Iranian Revolution , Ayatollah Khomeini , at the Fayziya Madrasa in Qum , Iran , specific mention was made to Ali Asghar as part of a comparison between the Umayyads actions at Karbala and the policies implemented by the Shah against the ''maraji''. His argument was, just as Ali Asghar had done nothing to incur the wrath of Yazid ibn Mu'awiya, similarly an eighteen year old ''madrassa'' student who had been recently killed by the regime had done nothing against the Shah or his government to warrant being murdered. Islam And Revolution I, Writings and Declarations of Imam Khomeini (1941 - 1980), Translated by Hamid Algar 1981; ISBN 0-933782-04-7 NOTES SEE ALSO |
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