Karbala: The Pain That Echoes Through Muharram

Before the tragedy of Karbala can be understood, one must go back to the beginning.

Who Was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the final Messenger of Allah, was born in Makkah in 570 CE. Known for his honesty and compassion, Allah chose him to guide humanity. His life was a message of mercy, justice, and spiritual light. After twenty-three years of Prophethood, Islam had spread far and wide. But he left behind more than a religion—a legacy of love, faith, and truth.

From his blessed family came two grandsons who would one day face trials that would pierce the heart of history.

Who Were Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain (RA)?

Imam Hassan (RA) and Imam Hussain (RA) were the sons of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) and Hazrat Fatima Zahra (RA), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. That makes them the grandsons of the Prophet ﷺ—raised in his arms, prayed with him, walked beside him, and were deeply loved by him.

The Prophet ﷺ once said:

“Hassan and Hussain are the leaders of the youth of Paradise.”

(Tirmidhi)

Their childhood was spent in the Prophet’s ﷺ home, surrounded by love, faith, and purity. They were not just his family—they were his heart.

The Loss of the Prophet ﷺ and the Years That Followed

After the Prophet ﷺ passed away, his family continued to live with dignity, patience, and service to the Muslim Ummah.

Imam Hassan (RA) was known for his peaceful nature. He briefly served as Caliph after his father, Hazrat Ali (RA), but stepped down to avoid bloodshed, choosing unity over power. Years later, he was poisoned—silently martyred, with minimal comfort or justice.

Imam Hussain (RA), younger but firm in principle, would later become the flag-bearer of truth in one of history’s darkest chapters.

Why Did Imam Hussain (RA) Go to Karbala?

Decades after the Prophet ﷺ’s death, a ruler named Yazid came to power in Damascus. His leadership was not built on piety or justice, but political ambition. He demanded allegiance from Imam Hussain (RA)—an oath of loyalty that would have meant legitimizing injustice.

Imam Hussain (RA) refused.

He could not, in good conscience, give his hand to oppression. He chose truth over comfort, knowing it would cost him dearly.

When people of Kufa (in present-day Iraq) wrote letters asking him to come and lead them, he left Madinah with his family, not for war, but for guidance and peace. Along with him were about 72 companions, including women and children.

But they were intercepted by Yazid’s army and stopped in the desert plains of Karbala.

 What Happened in Karbala?

Karbala, a barren land near the Euphrates River, became the site of one of the most painful events in Islamic history.

Yazid’s army, thousands in number, surrounded Imam Hussain’s small group. On the 7th of Muharram, water was cut off from the camp. Children, infants, older people, and even animals remained thirsty for three days under the burning sun.

Despite the suffering, Imam Hussain never bowed. He remained calm, prayerful, and full of faith.

On the 10th of Muharram—known as Ashura—the battle began.

One by one, his companions and family members stepped onto the battlefield, embracing martyrdom. These included brave men, young teenagers, and even children.

The Sacrifice of the Children

Among the most heart-wrenching moments in Karbala were the sacrifices of the little ones—souls so pure, so young, they could barely hold swords.

• Ali Akbar, the young son of Imam Hussain (RA), entered the battlefield as a teenager and fought with a heart full of light. His face resembled the Prophet ﷺ, and his martyrdom broke Imam Hussain’s heart.
• Hazrat Qasim, only around 13, asked his uncle Hussain (RA) if he, too, could sacrifice his life. His small body was crushed beneath the hooves of horses.
• Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (RA), the half-brother of Imam Hussain, tried to fetch water for the thirsty children. Though both of his arms were cut off, he continued carrying the water bag in his mouth until he, too, was struck down.
• And then there was Ali Asghar (RA), the six-month-old baby of Imam Hussain. In a moment that silenced even Yazid’s army, Hussain held the baby up, asking for just a drop of water. Instead, a soldier fired an arrow that pierced the infant’s throat while he was in his father’s arms.

Each moment was soaked in pain. But each life was a message: truth is worth any price.

 How Did Imam Hussain (RA) Die?

Imam Hussain (RA) was the last to remain as the sun moved past noon. Wounded, heartbroken, and alone, he stood in the middle of the battlefield—his loved ones gone, his children martyred, and his body bearing the marks of arrows, swords, and grief.

Still, he prayed. Still, he recited the name of Allah.

Eventually, he was attacked from all sides and martyred on the soil of Karbala. His noble head was severed, and his body left unburied under the sun.

 What Happened After the Battle?

The aftermath was equally painful.

The surviving women and children, including Hazrat Zainab (RA)—sister of Imam Hussain—were taken as prisoners. They were paraded through the streets, facing insults and humiliation. Yet, even in captivity, they upheld the message of truth with dignity and courage.

The world had seen a tragedy and a light that could never be extinguished.

 Why Do We Remember Muharram?

Muharram, especially the day of Ashura, is a time of deep mourning and reflection for Muslims around the world. It marks the day when the Prophet’s ﷺ family stood alone for the truth—and paid the ultimate price.

It is not just a historical event. It is a wound that lives in the soul of the Ummah.