10th of Muharram

10th of Muharram - The day when Imam Hussain(a.s.) and his 72 companions were martyred in the desert of Karbala in Iraq in 61 A.H.

Imam Hussain(a.s.) was the icon of Islam who was upholding the religion of Allah(swt) against an icon of oppression and cruelty (Yazid bin Moawia Laeen) who had usurped the noble status of Khalifa-e-Rasool. Imam Hussain(a.s.) refused to accept this unjust person as Caliph and started off on a memorable journey to expose the nefarious designs of Yazid Laeen. This endeavor of Imam Hussain(a.s.) marked a turning point in the history of Islam and set out a clear distinction between the true Islam and the false brand of Islam that Yazid Laeen was trying to established.

Imam Hussain(a.s.) arrived in the land of Karbala on the 2nd of Muharram and his camp was moved away from the river Euphrates on the 7th of Muharram and from the 8th of Muharram all water and food resources finished in his camp and the women and little children of his family were without water and food in the scorching heat of Karbala for 3 days. On 10th of Muharram, battle between the small group of Imam Hussain(a.s.) and the 30,000 (upto 100,000) strong army of Yazid, led by Omar ibn-e-Saad, started and one by one all male members of Imam(a.s.)'s camp were martyred including children of tender ages of 14 and 12 years and the cruel men did not even spare the 6-month old Ali Asghar(a.s.) - the son of Imam Hussain(a.s.).

Just before the time of Asar prayers, Imam Hussain(a.s.) was left alone and he gave a thought provoking speech which highlighted the reasons why he had started this campaign and how the people of Kufa betrayed him and left him alone. Then he started a valiant battle all alone against the enemies and fought like his brave father till the time of Asar prayers when a voice called him to put his sword down and come to Allah(swt) as Nafs-e-Mutmaeenah - Satisfied soul.  Imam Hussain(a.s.) started praying and while he was in prostration, Shimr-e-Maloon attacked him and martyred the Imam(a.s.) with an unsharpened dagger hitting him 13 times.

I present my condolences and Pursa to Prophet Mohammad(sawaw), Bibi Fatima(s.a.), Imam Ali(a.s.), Imam-e-Zamana(a.s.), the Ahl-e-Bait(a.s.) and all Momineen and Mominaat on this day of Ashura and asinstructed by our Imams(a.s.), you should also present condolences to your friends and family members on this day of the great martyrdom of Imam Hussain(a.s.) and his companions.