The Child Martyr
After the martyrdom of
his father, Imam al-Hasan's son Abdullah lived with his holy uncle, Imam
al-Husayn (a.s.) and loved him very much. Imam Husayn too had a great
affection for his young nephew.
"`Abdullah went to Karbala with his uncle and saw everything that
happened there. He saw his young brothers and cousins putting on their
suits of armor and, with the cry of "Allahu akbar' and their swords
whirling, rushing off to the battlefield. He saw them fighting battle
with the enemies of religion and of the Qur'an, the disbelievers and
hypocrites. and saw them killing them and being killed.
He saw them drowned in their holy blood, giving life and strength to
Islam with their martyrdom. When their bodies were brought to the
special tent for the martyrs, 'Abdullah would go and weep over their
bodies. He wanted to go to the battlefield and fight with the oppressors
and defend Islam and its holy leader, al-lmam al-Husayn (a.s.), but he
was very young and they wouldn't give him permission.
It was the day of `Ashura' and all his friends. brothers and all of
al-Imam al-Husayn's valiant troops had been martyred. and `Abdulla-h had
witnessed the martyrdom of them all. Before they rushed off to the
battlefield. he had heard everyone of the martyrs conveying their final
goodbye, and promising never to desert their leader and Imam or leave
him on his own. The last of al-Imam al-Husayn's men had bravely given
his life. He had been martyred.
Now al-Imam al-Husayn himself left for the battlefield. Abdullah was
standing near the martyrs' tent, watching his uncle from a distance. An
hour later. he couldn't see his uncle any more.
Without thinking he instinctively ran towards the battlefield. His aunt.
Zaynab, wanted to stop him. but couldn't. Abdullah wanted to find his
uncle and defend him. Finally. he found him soaked in his own blood.
Confused and dumbfounded, he stood staring at the bleeding face of his
dear uncle. Al-Imam al-Husayn opened his eyes and both of them saw each
other. Suddenly a sword was raised to deliver the final blow to al-Imam
al-Husayn (a.s.).
`Abdullah saw the flash of the sword and raised his head. "Do you want
to kill my uncle you filthy traitor! he cried!" And immediately shielded
his uncle's bleeding body with his arm. The sword fell. It cut off
Abdullah's arm. and the body of that brave and selfless youth fell on
the chest of al-Imam al Husayn (a.s.).
He attained martyrdom then and there giving the message of jihad and
freedom to the youth of all times. With his last breaths. al-imam al-Husayn
said to him.
"My dear child martyrdom is our honor. Your father al-Imam al-Hasan and
your grandfather the Holy Prophet, are waiting for you in Paradise and
we are going to them together." |