The Shahadat of Amirul Mumineen (AS)

Written by Mustafa Quilon // June 6, 2011

Moulana Ali Zarih Najaf

by Mulla Juzar Shaikh Yusuf bhai:

It was the 40th Year after the Hijra and Amirul Mumineen (AS) had fulfilled his task of Jihad with the Munafiqeen. He had fought the battles of Jamal, Siffin and Nehervan just as Rasulallah (SA) told him. The Month of Ramadan had entered, the month of fasting of that eventful year, being the last Shehrullah of his pious lifetime. He spent most of his time in the remembrance of Allah, as he had known for sure of his fate. Every night he used to visit one of his children and do Iftar at their home. It was his habit not to take more than a few Luqmah in Iftar.

The last night of the 19th of Shehrullah arrived and Amirul Mumineen (AS) did the Iftar at Zainab (AS)‘s place. The rest of the night he spent in Ibadat. He came out in the compound of his house and looking towards the stars he exclaimed, “By Allah I have never lied nor I have been given a false information by Rasulallah (SA), this is surely the promised night”. Later during the eve he called Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) and informed them about a dream “I saw Jibra’eel ascend the Mount of Abi Qubais, he picked up 2 stones from there and banged them, its dust spread across the land in every home”. “What is its interpretation Moula?” they inquired. Amirul Mumineen (AS) replied, “It is a sign of Allah, today at dawn your father shall be martyred and his death will be mourned in every Mumin’s home.”

The next morning it was the 19th of Shehre Ramadan, the time was that of morning prayers. The place was the Masjid of Kufa, Amirul Mumineen Moulana Ali (AS) had arrived at the Masjid long before the time of Namaz, and he had roused those who were sleeping there. Amongst them was Abdur Rahman ibn Muljim (LA). He was lying on his face and hidden under his garment a sword, the blade of which had been poisoned. Moulana Ali (AS) roused him, told him that it was time for the Fajr Namaz. Moulana Ali (AS) then called the Azan, his call was heard all over Kufa and suddenly a breeze blew off the lights of the Masjid. It was Dark and Amirul Mumineen (AS) went to his Mehrab where he used to offer Nawafil prayers and began with Tahiyat al-Masjid.

Amirul Mumineen (AS) said the Takbeeratul Ehram recited the Surahs and knelt in Ruku when Ibn Muljim (LA) came and stood behind him uncovering the sword. Amirul Mumineen (AS) proceeded to the Sujud and then the next, when Ibn Muljim (LA) struck a blow on his head with the poisoned sword. Amirul Mumineen (AS) fell to the ground exclaiming “Fuzto wa Rabbil Ka’bah”, “By the Lord of the Ka’bah I have won; my Shia are victorious because of me!” A cry was all over Kufa that Ali (AS) had been Martyred. Abdur Rahman (LA) started fleeing, but people chased him. Nobody was attending the prayers and there was confusion everywhere.

Amirul Mumineen (AS) finished his Namaz, and then reeled into the hands of his sons Hasan (AS) and Hussain (AS) who had rushed to the scene. The wound, which was bleeding profusely, was attended to.

He was taken to his house where all Ashab had gathered. Clouds of grief and sorrow had covered the earth. Every heart was deep shattered; every eye shedding tears, there was matam and cries of loss and shock in every home in Kufa. The Ahle Bait (AS) could not overcome this tragic incident. It was not long before Ibn Muljim (LA) was caught by Sa’sa bin Saohan and brought before Amirul Mumineen (AS). His hands were tied behind his back. Amirul Mumineen (AS) saw the ropes were cutting into his flesh. He ordered the Muslims to loosen his hands and to treat the man more humanly. The kindness touched the murderer and he started weeping. Amirul Mumineen (AS) smiled and in a faint voice said, “It is too late to repent now. O Allah’s Enemy! Was I a bad Imam or an unkind ruler?”

It is the 21st of Ramzan, the day of great difficulty and mourning for the Ahl-e-Bait (AS) and their followers. The day when our beloved Imam (AS) finally succumbed to the fatal injury that he received on the 19th Ramzan in Masjid-e-Koofa.

Imam Ali (AS) was surrounded by his male family members and his faithful followers since the 19th. The tabeebs (doctors) announced that the effect of the poison has reached such a stage that it is not possible for him to survive now. Hearing this, Imam Ali (AS) who already knew of this situation, asked his faithful followers to leave him. His followers were weeping and were deeply saddened by this order but then Imam Ali (AS) told them that they cannot stay since his daughters were eager to be with him in these last moments. Hearing this the faithful followers left with tears in their eyes and with a heavy heart. Imam (AS) asked his sons to make sure that his followers were so much away from the house that they would not hear the cries and voices of his daughters.

It was at this time that Imam Ali (AS) gave his last will and instructions to his family. He pronounced Imam Hasan (AS) as his successor in Imamate and the head of the family. Then he called all his children and started giving their hands one by one in the hands of Imam Hasan (AS) saying: “I give you in the protection of my son Hasan(AS)”.

When all the children were handed in the protection of Imam Hasan(AS), only Hazrat Abbas(AS) was left and he was standing in a corner. At this stage, his holy mother – Bibi Umm-ul-Bannen(AS) – with permission of Imam Ali(AS) asked : “why have you spared my son Abbas from being given in the protection of Imam Hasan(AS)?”. Imam Ali(AS) called Hazrat Abbas(AS) and said: “I have saved him for a very special occassion” and then he called Imam Hussain(AS) and giving the Imam’s hand in the hand of Hazrat Abbas(AS), addressed him saying:

Abbas, I give Hussain in your protection. Take good care of him and don’t leave him until he wishes so, and remember this is a great responsibility which you would realise when you will be in Karbala and all the companions of Hussain will be martyred and his little children will be crying and asking for water from a thirst of three days of intense heat.

He then called Imam Hussain(AS) and said: “My son when you will be left alone in Karbala and the time of your martyrdom will arrive, I ask you to fulfill one wish of mine – Ask your sister Zainab to raise her sleeves and then kiss her arms.” Imam Hussain(AS) asked in astonishment as to why did you wish for this. Imam Ali(AS) said: “My son after you are martyred, the army of Yazid(mal’oon) will enter the tents and will snatch away the hijabs of my daughters and will make Zainab(SA) and other ladies prisoners and her hands will be tied with a tight rope.” Hearing this Imam Hussain(AS) burst into tears and that was the time when Imam Ali(AS) breathed his last leaving his family and followers mourning for him.

Ala l’anat ullahe ala qaum-az-zalimeen. May Allah Subhanahu curse the cruel tribe which committed atrocities on the Ahl-e-Bait(AS) and their followers.

Inna Lillah-e-wa Inna ilehe Rajeoon – We have come from HIM and we have to return to HIM.

The heir to the glorious legacy of Amirul Mumineen (AS) still exists and will forever. Imamuz Zaman (AS) is the apparent heir to all the noble characters and divine virtues of Amirul Mumineen (AS). While in seclusion he has appointed his Dai as an ideal image of himself, the sole representative of the Imam. Under his blessings mumineen thrive and gain their salvation. Indeed, the Dai is the heir of the firman of Rasullah (SA) “Man kunto Moulaho Fa Aliyun Moulaho” during the Satr. May Allah Subhanahu grant our beloved Moula Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin, the 52nd Dai of Imamuz Zaman, a long and healthy life. Ameen.