Hazrat Qasim (a.s)
By: Alma Bukhari

Alma  lives in Stow and she is seventeen years old.  She attends Nashoba Regional High School and she is in the eleventh grade. 

Those were most likely the words spoken by Hazrat Qasim (AS) while entering the battlefield of Karbala.  For he was beginning his jihad in the name of Allah (SWT) and for Allah's (SWT) message, Islam.  Hazrat Qasim (AS) was the son of Imam Hasan (A.S.).   At the young age of 3, Hazrat Qasim (AS) witnessed his own father's lifeless body being speared.  But, the hardships and struggles didn't stop there.  Hazrat Qasim (AS) and his mother, Umme-e-Farwa (AS), accompanied Imam Husayn (AS), his new father figure, from Madina to Karbala in Rajab 60 A.H.  After enduring the austerity of a long and most tiring trip on foot to Karbala, Hazrat Qasim (AS), as well as 71 others were still willing to endure more for the sake of Islam.  He was now ready to sacrifice his life, and Umme-e-Farwa (AS) was prepared to lose her only son.  On the night before Ashoora Hazrat Qasim (AS) said to his mother, "Mother, tomorrow Uncle Abbas, Ali Akber, and I will defend Imam Husayn (AS).  Mother, if I get killed please do not weep for me."  Umme-e-Farwa (AS) then replied," My son although I dearly love you, I shall not weep for you.  Nothing will make me prouder than to see my son give his life for Islam."
Then, on the day of Ashoora, Hazrat Qasim (AS) incessantly asked Imam Husayn (AS) to grant him permission to go fight for Islam on the battlefields of Karbala.  He asked even after seeing the losses of Hazrat Aun (AS) and Mohammad (AS). Nothing could shake the confidence of Hazrat Qasim (AS).  Yet, Imam Husayn (AS) would not allow the young, not to mention only, son of Umme-e-Farwa (AS) to sacrifice his life.
 
  This disappointment was unbearable for both Hazrat Qasim (AS) and Umme-e-FArwa.  Then, she caught sight of the taveez Imam Hasan (A.S.) had given Hazrat Qasim (AS).  Additionally she remembered his message, that if she was to ever find Hazrat Qasim (AS) in difficulty, give him the letter in the taveez.  She showed Hazrat Qasim (AS) the letter that read, "My son Qasim, a day will come when my brother Husayn will be facing an enemy army of tens of thousands.  That will be the day when Islam will need to be saved by sacrifice.  You must represent me on that day."  Upon reading this letter Hazrat Qasim (AS) rushed to Imam Husayn (AS) to inform him.  Imam Husayn (AS) could not refuse that which his brother wished for his son to do.  Therefore Imam Husayn (AS) granted Hazrat Qasim (AS) the permission to go to the battlefield. 
 
Imam Husayn (AS) helped Hazrat Qasim (AS) prepare before going to the battlefield.  He tied his own turban on the head of Hazrat Qasim (AS), then he proceeded to help him mount his horse.  Even while Hazrat Qasim (AS) was going towards the battlefield, Imam Husayn (AS) followed him saying, "Inna Lilla-hai Wa Inna Illai-hai Raji'oon."  Hazrat Qasim (AS) noticed  this and he did not wish to see his Uncle upset. So he tried to convince Imam Husayn (AS) that he did not fear death because, "Death for Islam will be sweeter than honey."

Upon Hazrat Qasim's (AS) arrival to the battlefield, the enemy was struck by his youthful and handsome appearance.  The enemies began to ask each other, "How can we kill someone whose face is shining like the moon? 
Hazrat Qasim (AS) proceeded to kill many well-known warriors.  What were the enemies to do? This young boy was killing all of Yazeed's famous warriors.  So, the enemies surrounded Hazrat Qasim (AS) from both sides, and one warrior came from behind him and struck him in the head with his sword.  Hazrat Qasim (AS) fell from his horse and cried out, "Ya Ammaho, Accept my last salaams!" Those were the last words spoken from Hazrat Qasim (AS).  Imam Husayn (AS) ran to Hazrat Qasim's (AS) side.  However, when he arrived Hazrat Qasim's (AS) body had been trampled by horses.  Imam Husayn (AS) carried the pieces of Hazrat Qasim (AS) back to the camp, and carefully laid them next to Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS), son next to son. I ask you all to remember the Jihad of Hazrat Qasim(AS). He sacrificed his life in the name of Islam, and for all future Muslims.