Imam Hussain(a.s.)

3rd of Shabaan, - The birth anniversary of the third Holy Imam, Syed-us-Shuhada and the leader of the youth of the paradise, Imam Hussain (a.s.) ibn-e-Imam Ali (a.s.).

His Birth

One year after the birth of Imam Hasan (a.s.), Allah (swt) bestowed the house of Bibi Fatima (s.a.) and Imam Ali(a.s.) with the birth of Imam Hussain (a.s.) on 3rd Shabaan in the 4th Hijri. On hearing the news of his birth, the Prophet(sawaw) rushed to the house of Bibi Fatima (s.a.) and asked Asma binte Amees “O Asma, bring me my son”.

Bibi Asma brought Imam Hussain (a.s.) in a white piece of cloth and the Prophet (sawaw) took him in his arms and recited Azan in his right ear and Aqama in his left ear and then returned the baby to Asma.

Spontaneously he started weeping. Bibi Asma inquired the reason for his grief. The Prophet(sawaw) replied “O Asma this baby will be killed by a renegade group after me. Allah (swt) will not allow them to seek my shifaat. And Asma, do not give this news to my daughter Fatima since she has recently given birth to this baby.”

He (sawaw) then turned to Imam Ali (a.s.) and asked “How have you named my son”.  Imam Ali (a.s.) replied “How could I give a name to the baby when you are present.” In the meantime,

the Prophet (sawaw) received wahi in which Allah (swt) suggested the name HUSSAIN for the child and so it happened. This was the first time that a child was named HUSSAIN. The Prophet (sawaw) gave his tongue and then his finger in the mouth of the child to feed him and this practice continued in the future as well to feed the baby.

There is another tradition in Ilalus-Sharae where Prophet Muhammad (sawaw) had named Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.) after the names of the sons of Prophet Harun (a.s.) - Shabbar and Shabbir which in Arabic are Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.).

Greetings by Angels

On the birth of Imam Hussain (a.s.), archangel Jibreel (a.s.) came down with a large group of angels to present his greetings to the household of Propet Mohammad (sawaw). He was accompanied by a couple of angels who were castigated by Allah(swt) due to some tark-e-oola and they were forgiven by Allah (swt) due to the sanctity of the baby Imam (a.s.). Their names as mentioned by the historians are Fitrus and Dardayeel.

Shaikh Sadooq (May Allah sanctify his grave) quotes Imam Ja'far as Sadiq (a.s.) as saying that when Imam Hussain (a.s.) was born, Allah(swt) commanded Jibra'eel to descend upon the earth with a thousand Angels and congratulate the Prophet (sawaw) on His behalf and himself. Jibra'eel descended and on the way he passed by an island where an Angel named Fitrus, who was a bearer of the empyrean, lay there banished. Allah (swt) had once assigned a job to Fitrus who delayed it due to laziness; hence Allah (swt) took away his wings and expelled him to the island. Fitrus worshipped Allah (swt) there for seven hundred years until the time Imam Hussain(a.s.) was born.

When Fitrus saw Jibra'eel he inquired of him as to where was he going. Jibra'eel answered that, "Allah, the Exalted, has bestowed His Blessings (Imam Hussain) upon Mohammad (sawaw), thus Allah has commanded me to go and congratulate him on His behalf and myself." Fitrus said, "Then O Jibra'eel! Take me too alongwith you to the presence of the Prophet, perhaps he might pray for me." Ji¬bra'eel lifted him up and brought him to the Holy Prophet (sawaw).

When he reached there he offered felicitations to him on behalf of Allah (swt) and him¬self, then he presented the matter of Fitrus. The Prophet (sawaw) commanded Fitrus to touch himself with the body of Imam Hussain (a.s) and arise. Fitrus did so and ascended upwards saying, "O Prophet of Allah! This son of yours will be mercilessly killed by your nation. Therefore, it is incumbent upon me in exchange of this favour that I recompense.

Hence there is no person who visits his grave except that I receive him, and there is no Muslim who offers salutations to him or who prays for him except that I take it to his presence and carry his message.".

Saying this Fitrus flew away. In another narrative it is related that Fitrus flew away saying, "Who is like me? For I am the freed one of Hussain (a.s), the son of Ali (a.s.) and Fatemah (a.s.), whose Grandfather is Ahmed(sawaw)" Sayyed ibne Tawoos says in Malhoof that there was no Angel in the Heavens who did not turn up to congratulate the Prophet (sawaw) on the birth of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and condole him for his martyrdom, and revealed the reward reserved for the Imam.

Aqeeqa and other rites

On the seventh day of the birth of Imam Hussain (a.s.), Prophet Mohammad (sawaw) went to the house of Bibi Fatima (s.a.) and a lamb was slaughtered to mark the aqeeqa. On the order of Prophet (sawaw), the head of the baby was shoven and silver in the equivalent weight was given as sadqa.


Some Quranic verses in praise of Imam Hussain(a.s.)
1. "Innama yureedallahu le-yuzhiba ankamur rijsa ahlal baiti wa utah-harukum tat-heera"
(Sura Ahzab 33:33 Part)
Translation: And Allah only wishes to keep away all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless.
Almost all schools of thought in Islam believe that this ayat was revealed in praise of Prophet Mohammad (sawaw), Imam Ali (a.s.), Bibi Fatima (s.a.), Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.).
2. "Innallaha wa malaikatahu yu sal-loona alan nabi ya ayyuhal lathina aamano sallu alaihi wa sallamu tasleemat" (Sura Ahzab 33:56)
Translation: Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O ye that believe! Send ye blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.
Prophet Mohammad (sawaw) was asked by his companions “How should be send salawat on you?” and the Prophet (sawaw) replied “Say – Allahumma Salle ala Mohammadin wa aale Mohammad”.
3. "Qul la as-alokum alehe ajran il-al mawad-data fil qurba" (Ash-Shura 42:23 Part)
Translation: Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin."
When Prophet Mohammad (sawaw) was asked as to who are your QURBA with whom love has been made obligatory for all believers, Prophet(sawaw) replied they are Ali(a.s), Fatima (s.a.), Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.).
4. "Faman haajaka feehe min baada ma jaa-oka minal ilme faqul ta-aalu nad-o abna-ana wa abnaokum wa nisa-ana wa nisaokum wa anfusana wa anfusakum summa nabtahal fanajal lanatullahe alal kazibeen" (Aal-e-Imran 3:61)
Translation: If any one disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge Hath come to thee, say: "Come! let us gather together,- our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves: Then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!"
When this ayat was revealed, Prophet Mohammad took Imam Ali (a.s.) in accordance with “anfusana”, Bibi Fatima (s.a.) in accordance with “nisa-ana” and Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Hussain (a.s.) in accordance with “abna-ana” as per will of Allah(swt) in the mubahila against the Jews.
This is only a small sample of ayats which were revealed in praise of Ahle Bait (a.s.) in which Imam Hussain (a.s.) glitters as a bright shining star.


Some Ahadees in praise of Imam Hussain (a.s.)
1. Ahmad ibn-e-Hambal, Tirmizi, Nisai and ibn-e-Habban quoted on authority of Hazrat Huzaifa (r.a.) and Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (r.a.) that Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) said – Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain (a.s.) are he leaders of the youth of paradise and Fatimah (s.a.) is the leader of the women of paradise.
2. Tirmizi and ibn-e-Habban quoted from Hazrat Usama bin Zaid(r.a.) that Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) said – Hasan (a.s.) and Hussain(a.s.) are my and my daughter’s sons. O Allah I love them so you love them too and you love anyone who would love them.
3. Abu Dawood quotes from Hazrat Miqdam bin Maad that Prophet Mohammad (sawaw) said – I am from Hussain and Hussain is from me – Allah befriends him who befriends Hussain.
4. Verily Hussain (a.s.) is the source of guidance and the ark of salvation.