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Ali ibn Husayn (Ali al-Asghar)
NameAli ibn Husayn (Ali al-Asghar)
Other NamesAbdullah Razi
Personal Details
Birth Place{{{birth_place}}}
Brith Date{{{birth_date}}}
Death PlaceKarbala
Death Date61 AH (680 CE)
ReligionIslam

Ali ibn Husayn (Ali al-Asghar) was the infant son of Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him) who was martyred in the Karbala incident. His name is recorded as Abdullah, Ali, and Abdullah Razi. His mother's name was Rubab, daughter of Imru' al-Qays ibn Adi. Ali al-Asghar is one of the few individuals known among the people as "Bab al-Hawa'ij" (Gate of Needs), and people seek his intercession. During the month of Muharram, one day is dedicated to this martyr of Karbala, and people mourn for him. The Husayni Infants Conference ceremony is also held in honor of him[1].

Ambiguity Regarding the Children of Sayyid al-Shuhada

One of the ambiguities visible in the history of the life of Hazrat Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him) is the number of his children and the manner of their lives. For example, regarding the infant or infants of Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him) in Karbala who reached the lofty degree of martyrdom, historians have either not spoken or, if they have spoken, it is very different. An example of this is Hazrat Ali al-Asghar or Abdullah, whether they were two people, or whether Ali al-Asghar is the same infant Abdullah. Here the discussion must be expanded in several axes.

Name

Historical sources have mentioned the name of Imam Husayn's (peace be upon him) child differently. In some sources Abdullah[2]. In some sources Ali al-Asghar[3] is mentioned, and some sources have mentioned two children for Hazrat named "Abdullah" and "Ali al-Asghar"[4]. Ibn A'tham (d. 314 AH), the first historian to mention the infant child by the name of Ali, referred to him as "Ali fi al-Rada'"[5] and the first person who considered one of the children of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) in addition to Ali al-Akbar (peace be upon him), Ali ibn Husayn (Zayn al-Abidin) (peace be upon him), Abdullah and Ali al-Asghar, was Tabari, a Shia scholar of the fourth century. After him, Ibn Khashshab (d. 567 AH) and Ibn Shahrashub (d. 588 AH) wrote the name of this child as "Ali al-Asghar", and after that, this name found its way into later sources. Some have said that the other name of Ali al-Asghar is Abdullah, and some claim that Abdullah is other than Ali al-Asghar, since Abdullah was martyred in front of the tents, in the lap of his father Husayn (peace be upon him), but Ali al-Asghar, according to a narration, was targeted by an arrow in front of the enemy lines[6]. The author of Dhakhirat al-Darayn has also narrated that Abdullah was born on the day of Ashura and was martyred hours after birth[7].

Age

The age of the child is also different in various sources. Some consider him an infant[8] and some like Ya'qubi say "Qad walada lahu fi tilka al-sa'ah fa-adhdhana fi udhunihi wa ja'ala yuhanikuhu;[9] The child was born at that hour, so Hazrat recited the adhan in his ear and gave him honey." Some others, such as Muhammad ibn Sa'd (d. 230 AH) and Al-Dhahabi, have spoken of a three-year-old boy for Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) whom they martyred with an arrow[10][11]. In the maqtil of Abu Mikhnaf, it is mentioned that the infant child of Husayn (peace be upon him) in Karbala was six months old[12].

Mother's Name

Regarding the name of the child's mother, most sources agree and say that the mother of Abdullah or Ali al-Asghar was Rubab, daughter of Imru' al-Qays ibn Adi[13] and from the Kalb tribe, and this Rubab is the same woman about whom Hazrat Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him) said: "La'amruka innani la-uhibbu daran takunu biha Sakinah wa al-Rubab uhibbuhuma wa abkhulu jalli mali wa laysa li-'itab indii 'itab;[14] By your life, I truly love a house in which Sakinah and Rubab (names) are. I love these two and spend my wealth for them, and there is no blame on me for this." But in some sources, the name of another wife named Umm Ishaq for Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him) who was present in Karbala on the day of Ashura is mentioned, and Abdullah is the name of one of her children. Umm Ishaq is the daughter of Talhah ibn Abdullah Taymiyyah who was initially the wife of Imam Hasan (peace be upon him). Imam Hasan (peace be upon him) at the time of martyrdom said: Brother, I am satisfied with this woman, do not let her leave your houses[15]. Hazrat Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him) married Umm Ishaq, and God granted him Fatimah and Abdullah[16].

Notes

  1. ↑ Ali al-Asghar
  2. ↑ Ibn Habib Baghdadi, Muhammad, Al-Muhabbar, p. 491
  3. ↑ Ibn A'tham Kufi, Ahmad, Al-Futuh, p. 97
  4. ↑ Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir, Dala'il al-Imamah, p. 181
  5. ↑ Ibn A'tham Kufi, Ahmad, Al-Futuh, Vol. 5, p. 115
  6. ↑ Mahallati, Dhibihullah, Fursan al-Hayja, Vol. 1, p. 370
  7. ↑ A group of authors, Dhakhirat al-Darayn fi ma yata'allaq bi-masa'ib al-Husayn alayhi al-salam, Vol. 1, p. 259
  8. ↑ Abu al-Faraj Isfahani, Ali ibn Husayn, Maqatil al-Talibin, p. 94
  9. ↑ Ya'qubi, Ahmad ibn Abi Ya'qub, Tarikh Ya'qubi, Vol. 2, p. 245
  10. ↑ Ibn Sa'd, Muhammad ibn Sa'd, Tarjamat al-Husayn wa Maqtaluhu, p. 73
  11. ↑ Al-Dhahabi, Shams al-Din, A'lam al-Nubala, Vol. 3, p. 302
  12. ↑ Abu Mikhnaf, Lut ibn Yahya, Maqtal al-Husayn alayhi al-salam, Vol. 1, p. 129
  13. ↑ Mahallati, Dhibihullah, Fursan al-Hayja, Vol. 1, p. 366
  14. ↑ Ibn Athir, Ali ibn Abi al-Karam, Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, Vol. 11, p. 209
  15. ↑ Badwani, Abd al-Qadir ibn Malukshah, Muntakhab al-Tawarikh, p. 241
  16. ↑ Turayhi, Fakhr al-Din ibn Muhammad Ali, Al-Muntakhab, p. 276

Manner of Martyrdom

Manner of Martyrdom and the Reaction of Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him) After the Child's Martyrdom: Regarding the manner of the suckling child's martyrdom, primary sources have also mentioned his martyrdom in the arms or lap of His Holiness. Al-Ya'qubi writes: At this time, His Holiness was mounted on his horse when a newborn who had been born for him at that very hour was handed to him. He then recited the adhan in his ear and was about to feed him when suddenly an arrow struck the child's throat and severed it. Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) removed the arrow from the child's throat, stained him with his blood, and said: 'By God, you are more honorable before God than the She-Camel of Salih, and Muhammad is more honorable before God than Salih.'[1] [He meant] you are more honorable before God than the She-Camel of Salih, and Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace be upon him and his progeny) is also more honorable than Salih (peace be upon him). He then came and placed him beside his children and nephews.

Abu Mikhnaf says: While Hussein (peace be upon him) was seated, his young son was brought to him. It was Abdullah ibn Hussein; His Holiness seated him on his lap. While he was on his lap, a man from Banu Asad named Harmala ibn Kahil or Hani ibn Thabit al-Hadrami threw an arrow at him and severed his throat.[2] Hussein (peace be upon him) caught his blood, and when his palm was full, he poured the blood on the ground and said: 'O Lord, if You have withheld Your heavenly help from us, make it a precursor to good and take our revenge from this oppressive group.'[3] However, Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani says: His Holiness sprinkled the blood towards the sky, and not a drop of it fell on the ground.[4]

Sayyid ibn Tawus says: Zaynab, the sister of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), brought out the child and said, 'My brother, this is your child who has not drunk water for three days, so ask for a sip of water for him.' The Imam (peace be upon him) took him in his hands and said: 'O people! You have killed my followers and my family, and only this suckling child remains who is gasping due to thirst! So give him a sip of water.' His Holiness was speaking to them when a man from the army of disbelief threw an arrow and slaughtered the child.[5] In another narration, Sayyid ibn Tawus says: His Holiness came in front of the tent and said to Zaynab: 'Nawolini waladi al-saghir hatta awada'ahu; Bring me my young child so that I may bid him farewell.' He then took the child in his hands and was about to kiss him when Harmala ibn Kahil al-Asadi threw an arrow that struck the child's throat.' Lady Zaynab (peace be upon her) said: 'Catch him!' She then held her two hands under his throat until they were filled with blood, and she sprinkled it towards the sky and said: 'Hawna 'ala ma nazala bi annahu bi'ayn Allah; All these calamities are easy for me since God sees.'

Imam's Conduct After the Child's Martyrdom

Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), after Ali Asghar was targeted, placed his hand under the child's throat, and when it filled with blood, he threw it towards the sky (Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) said: Not a drop of this blood fell to the ground[6]. Then he said: What befalls me is easy for me because it is in the way of God and He sees[7]. Some have written that he said: O God -the martyrdom- of this -child- is not less in Your sight than -the killing of- the she-camel of Prophet Salih (peace be upon him)[8]. O God, if You have withheld Your victory and help from us today, place it in something better for us[9]. At this moment, a voice came from the sky: O Hussein! Leave your suckling child, for indeed a wet-nurse is prepared for him in Paradise now[10]. Sibth Ibn Jawzi says: After the martyrdom of the child, Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) began to weep and said: O God, judge between us and the people who invited us to help them, then killed us. Then a voice came from the sky: O Hussein (peace be upon him), leave him, for indeed there is a wet-nurse for him in Paradise[11]. In some sources, it is mentioned that after the martyrdom of the suckling child of Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him), he stood and recited verses such as:

These people became disbelievers and long ago turned away from (belief in) the reward of God, Lord of jinn and men. In the past, they killed Ali and his son Hasan of good character, who had a noble lineage from father and mother. Due to the hatred they held in their hearts for the family of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny): Now gather together to kill Hussein entirely. Woe to the base people who gathered the multitude to (kill the inhabitants of) the Two Sanctuaries (Mecca and Medina)[12][13].

Some historians have written that Hussein returned the swaddling clothes soaked in the child's blood to the tent and entrusted them to Lady Zaynab (peace be upon her)[14]. Khwarazmi says: And the Imam dug a small grave for that child with the scabbard of his sword. Then he prayed over his bloodied body and buried him[15]. Some have also written that they brought his body and placed it beside the bodies of other martyrs[16].


The Child's Killer

Regarding the name of the killer of Imam Hussein's child (peace be upon him), historians' opinions differ. Just as some consider the killer to be Hani ibn Thabit al-Hadrami[17]. Some historians consider Uqbah ibn Bashr the killer of the child[18] and some Harmalah ibn Kahil al-Asadi, and a number of others have remained silent regarding the child's killer.


Examination and Conclusion

Since in primary sources up to the 4th and 5th centuries (AH) there are many differences in the narration of events, and the name, age, mother's name, killer, method of martyrdom, and the reaction of Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him) after the child's martyrdom differ, and on the other hand, in some sources such as Dala'il al-Imamah, Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari (d. 4th century) mentioned the number of Sayyid al-Shuhada's sons in Karbala as four and considered Ali Asghar, who is a child, separate from Abdullah al-Rafi, and also the difference in the child's name in the visitations (Ziyarat), including in Ziyarat Nahiyah Muqaddasah it is stated: "Peace be upon the small suckling" and in the book Iqbal al-A'mal[19] in mentioning the visitation of the Day of Ashura it is stated: ".... Peace be upon you and upon them all and upon the martyrs who were martyred with you and before you, peace be upon you and upon them all and upon your son Ali al-Asghar whom you were bereaved by" "... Peace be upon you and upon all (martyrs) and upon your son Ali al-Asghar for whom you were grieved (by his martyrdom)", perhaps it can be said with predominant conjecture that Ali Asghar is other than Abdullah the suckling, and these two children of Sayyid al-Shuhada (peace be upon him) both attained the high degree of martyrdom in Karbala.


Critique of Certain Claims

That some have said the child of Sayyid al-Shuhada was 6 months old or was martyred with a three-pronged arrow is unacceptable; since in ancient sources such expressions are not found at all and only regarding the child being 6 months old, it is found in the distorted book attributed to Abu Mikhnaf (the book Maqtal Abu Mikhnaf which is common and in reality does not correspond to the original is among the books attributed to the 7th century and it is probable that this work is by Ibn Tawus[20]. But the original Maqtal of Abu Mikhnaf, with the research and investigation of Professor Yusufi Gharawi and extracted from Tarikh Tabari named Waqi'at al-Taff, has been printed, in which the child's age is not mentioned) it is stated with this phrase and gradually found its way into contemporary sources. And regarding the feature of the arrow, only Daynuri described it with a specific expression (long non-wide arrow). But the pronged arrow which is now common in pulpits and mourning gatherings is based on some unreliable contemporary maqtals[21].

Notes

  1. ↑ Al-Ya'qubi, Ahmad ibn Abi Ya'qub, Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, Vol. 2, p. 245
  2. ↑ Al-Khwarizmi, Muwaffaq ibn Ahmad, Maqtal al-Husayn, Vol. 2, p. 37
  3. ↑ Al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 5, p. 448
  4. ↑ Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani, Ali ibn Hussein, Maqatil al-Talibiyyin, p. 95
  5. ↑ Ibn Tawus, Ali ibn Musa, Al-Malhuf, p. 168
  6. ↑ Abu Mikhnaf, Lut ibn Yahya, Maqtal al-Husayn, Vol. 1, p. 173
  7. ↑ Ibn Tawus, Ali ibn Musa, Al-Malhuf, Vol. 1, p. 169
  8. ↑ Mahallati, Dhibihullah, Fursan al-Hayija, Vol. 1, p. 272
  9. ↑ Khwarazmi, Muwaffaq ibn Ahmad, Maqtal al-Husayn, Vol. 2, p. 37
  10. ↑ Sibt Ibn Jawzi, Yusuf ibn Qazawghli, Tadhkirat al-Khawass, Vol. 1, p. 227
  11. ↑ Sibt Ibn Jawzi, Yusuf ibn Qazawghli, Tadhkirat al-Khawass, p. 227
  12. ↑ Tabarsi, Ahmad ibn Ali, Al-Ihtijaj, Vol. 2, p. 25
  13. ↑ Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 45, pp. 47–48
  14. ↑ Abu Mikhnaf, Lut ibn Yahya, Maqtal al-Husayn, Vol. 1, p. 173
  15. ↑ Library of the Faqahat School
  16. ↑ Tabarsi, Fadl ibn Hasan, A'lam al-Wara, Vol. 1, p. 466
  17. ↑ Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 5, p. 468
  18. ↑ Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani, Ali ibn Husayn, Maqatil al-Talibin, p. 95
  19. ↑ Ibn Tawus, Ali ibn Musa, Al-Iqbal bi-l-A'mal al-Hasanah, Vol. 3, p. 71
  20. ↑ Goldberg, Ethan, Library of Ibn Tawus, pp. 78–80
  21. ↑ Birjandi Khurasani, Muhammad Baqir, Kibrīt al-Ahmar fi Shara'it al-Minbar, p. 126

Pilgrimage Text

In the pilgrimage text of Imam Hussein regarding Ali Asghar (peace be upon him), it is read: «صَلّی الله عَلَیک وَ عَلیهِمْ وَ عَلی وَلَدِک عَلی الاصْغَرِ الّذی‌ فُجِعْتِ بِهِ; [1] Peace of God be upon you and upon them (the martyrs) and upon your child Ali Asghar, for whom you were bereaved».

Gate of Needs

Ali Asghar is also called the Gate of Needs, because although he was an infant, his status before God is high[2].

Notes

  1. ↑ Ibn Tawus, Ali ibn Musa, Iqbal al-A'mal al-Hasanah, Vol. 3, p. 71
  2. ↑ Group of authors, Farhang-e Ashura, Vol. 1, p. 99
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