Zohair Ibn Qein

Zohair Ibn Qein  Bajali was one of the great and loyal companions of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and he was considered one of the noble and brave men of the city of Kufah and among his tribe. He had achieved a high position due to his presence in many wars and conquests. He was called Zohair Ibn Qein bin Qays Anmari Bajali Samawi ,Muhammad.(2008). Absar al-Ayn fi Ansar al-Hussein (peace be upon him),Qom:Shahid Mahallati University.

He was follower of Uthman ( there was a group of followers of Uthman and became known as Osmani or Osmaniyyah. For this reason, the name of the religion that opposed Shiism became Osmaniyyah). But after meeting Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) a few days before the event of Karbala, he joined him and was martyred on the day of Ashura.

Characteristics of  Zohair Ibn Qein

Zohair's courage and steadfastness made him to be in position side of defenders of Islam. He participated in some Islamic conquests and achieved great honors. Allamah Samawi writes int this regard: "He had famous positions and visible places in the battlefields.

One of the cases of Zuhair's participation in conquests is her participation in the Battle of Balangar, of which he also recounted a memory.

Another example is his presence in Karbala. He was rightly considered the Imam's powerful arm. His bravery and valor were such that on the day of Ashura, when Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) was organizing his army, which numbered more than seventy people, he appointed him in the right side; he placed Habib ibn Mazaher in  the left side, he himself was in the heart of the army and handed over the flag to his brother Hazrat Abbas Ibid.

Another characteristic of Zohair was his oratory, which was well-known to both private and public, friends and enemies. He was so fluent in speech that he was sometimes asked to appear in public and speak in defense of Imam Hussein (a.s.).

The third characteristic of Zohair, which is actually his most important characteristic, is his love for the Imam of his time, Hussein Ibn Ali (peace be upon him).

Zohair demonstrated this characteristic well in his words and actions, on the road and on the way to  Karbala at various times. His words on the night of Ashura and his actions on the day of Ashura are the best evidence of the truth of this statement.

On the night of Ashura, when Imam Hussein (a.s.) gave him permission to leave, he stated:

لا و الله لا یکون ذلک ابدا ا اترک ابن رسول‏‌الله(صلی الله علیه) اسیرا فی ید الاعداء و انجو انا؟! لا ارانی الله ذلک‏‌الیوم.

No, by God, it will never be like that. Should I leave the son of the Messenger of God captive in the hands of the enemies and save myself?! May God not show me that day.

On his way from Mecca to Kufah, when Zohair returned from  meeting  Imam Hussain (a.s.), addressed his wife and companions and said: "I have decided to be with Hussein to sacrifice my life for him and..."Majlesi, Muhammad Baqir.(1982). Behar al-Anwar, second edition, vol. 44, Beirut: Dar al-Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi.

Joining Imam Hussein (peace be upon him)

In the year 60 AH, Zohair Ibn Qein left Kufah for the Hajj pilgrimage, accompanied by his wife and a group of his companions. After completing the Hajj pilgrimage, he left Mecca and headed for Kufah. Zohair and his companions were traveling so fast that they arrived near their residence in the shortest possible time.

They always tried to land a little further away from the temporary settlement of Imam Hussain (a.s.). The Imam and his companions landed at a place called Zarood[6]It is a residence between Tha’labiyah and Khuzaymiyyah for someone going towards Kufah and pitched their tents.

Zohair's caravan arrived, but since it could not find a suitable place further away from the Imam's tents, it pitched its own tents nearby. Sheikh Abbas Qomi writes:

A group from the Fazarah  and Bajilah  tribes narrated: When we returned from Mecca, we were with Zohair Ibn Qein Bajila. We would stay away from Imam Hussain (a.s.) whenever we visited him, because we did not like to travel with him.

Inevitably, whenever the Imam moved, Zohair would stay, and whenever the Imam stopped, Zohair would set off. In one of the dwellings, the Imam stopped on one side, and we inevitably landed on the other side.

While we were eating, suddenly a messenger from Imam Hussain (a.s.) came and after greeting Zohair said: "Aba Abdullah (a.s.) is calling you."

We dropped the morsels we were holding in our hands in utter astonishment and remained silent and motionless for a moment, as if a bird had perched on our heads. Zohair's wife, who was called Delhem, said to Zohair: "Glory be to Allah, the son of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) is calling for you, and you are delaying in going... Get up and hurry to him, see what he says."

Zohair got up and went to meet  the Imam, and soon he returned to his wife and companions, happy and radiant, with a radiant face. He immediately ordered his tent to be removed and pitched near the Imam's tent. Then he said to his wife: "You are free from the bonds of my marriage and should join your family, so that  I do not want any harm to come to you from my side." Qomi,Sheikh Abbas. (2000). Muntahi al-Amal(منتهی‌الآمال) vol. 1, Qom:Dalil ma publications.

Sheikh Mofid adds: Then he said to his companions: "Anyone of you who likes to be with me, it would be better; otherwise this will be our last meeting." Then he said: "I will inform you of a truth. I do not forget, when we participated in the Battle of Bahr  ; God granted us victory and we obtained booty."

Salman al-Farsi, who was with us, when he saw that everyone was happy about this event, said: "Are you happy about this victory that God has granted you and the spoils that you have obtained?" We said: "Yes." Salman said: "If you considered  the Seyyed  of the youth of the Aal-Muhammad( means Imam Hussain), you would be happier to help  him than what you have achieved today."

And now I bid you farewells .

Yes, he bid farewell to his family and companions to go in search of the lost one who had been searching for him for years. He left everything and everyone and went to become a Husseini and dedicate his life to Hussein and his school and belief.

Zohair's role in the Karbala event

Zohair divorced his wife, separated from his companions, joined the Hussaini camp, and became one of the devoted soldiers of Imam Hussain (a.s.). Along the way, he stood up at various times and confirmed the Imam's words. Some of the cases in which Zohair demonstrated his true devotion are as follows:

Supporting the Imam in Dho Hosam

After the Imam's encounter with the army of Horr in a place called Dho Hosam.

The Imam (peace be upon him) spoke to the audience. Then Zohair stood up and said to the Imam's companions: "Are you going to speak or should I start?" They said: "Yes, you speak."

After praising God, Zohair addressed the Imam and said: "O son of the Messenger of God, we have heard your words... By God, if the world were left for us and we were to remain in it, and if leaving this world meant helping you, we would still choose your company." The Imam (peace be upon him) praised his high spirit and prayed for his well-being.

The proposal of war in the middle of the road

The Husseini caravan was moving parallel to Horr's troops when suddenly a horseman appeared from a distance. He was Ibn Ziyad's messenger and he had brought a letter from him to Horr. In that letter, Ibn Ziyad wrote:

Upon receiving this letter, put pressure on Hussein Ibn Ali and land him in a desert without water or grass. Horr read the text of the letter to the Imam and informed him of his mission. The Imam said: Then let us land in the desert of “Neynava” or “Ghazeriyyat” or “Shafiyh”.

Horr said: I cannot agree to your proposal because I am no longer free to make decisions and this messenger is a spy for Ibn Ziyad... At this time, Zohair Ibn Qein said: It is easier for us to fight this small group than to fight the many people behind them.

By God, it will not be long before that many armies will arrive to support them and we will no longer be able to resist them. In response to Zohair's suggestion, the Imam (a.s.) said: " I will never be the one to start a war.

Defending Imam Hussein during the mission in the evening  of Tasu'a

when Umar Ibn Sa'd ordered his companions to approach the camp of Hussein Ibn Ali, the Imam said to his brother Abbas: "O Abbas, my brother, ride the horse, meet them and ask them why they have come?"

Abbas went to meet the Yazidis with twenty horsemen, including Zohair Ibn Qein and Habib Ibn Mazaher. He said to them: What do you want? They said: The order has been received from the Amir: either surrender or fight. They said: Wait until we convey what you say to Abi Abdullah (peace be upon him).

The Yazidis said: Visit him and bring him news. Abbas returned to inform Hussein. His companions stayed to talk to them. Habib Ibn Mazaher said to Zohair: If you wish, speak to these people and if you wish, I will speak. Zohair said:

You have suggested speaking, and you should also address this matter. Habib said to them: By God, on the Day of Judgment, the worst people before God are those who go to Him and kill the son of their Prophet, his family, and the worshippers of this city who perform the night prayer...

“Azreh” said: Praise yourself as much as you can. Zohair said: O “Azreh”, God has praised him and guided him. O “Azreh”, fear God. I wish you well. By God, O “Azreh”, you are among those who help the misguided to kill the righteous people.

Azra replied: "O Zohair, you were not among the Shiites of this family, you were a supporter of Uthman." Zohair said: "From the position I am in now, you will not understand that I am among the Shiites. By God, I did not write a letter to Hussein, nor did I ever send a messenger after him, nor did I promise him help;

I met him on the way, remembered the Messenger of God and his situation, and knew that he was coming towards the enemy ... So I decided to help him, join his party, and sacrifice my life for him, because you have violated the rights of God and His Messenger.

Reminding a important issue to Qamar Bani Hashem

After Umar Saad's army returned to their camp, this time the voice of Shemr Ibn Dhu'l-Jowshan was heard saying in a loud voice: "Where are the children of our sister, where are Abbas and his brothers?" Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) said: "Answer him, even if he is a sinner."

Qamar Bani Hashem, on the orders of Abi Abdellah (peace be upon him), went to him to listen to his speech. But he immediately returned, cursing him and the trust he had given. Zohair Ibn Qein stood up and addressed Qamar Bani Hashem and said:

Shall I inform you of a hadith that I have heard before?! Abbas said: Yes, narrate the hadith. Zohair said: When your father wanted to get married, he asked his brother Aqeel, who knew the lineage of the Arabs, to choose a wife for him.

That the brave ones have given birth to her so that she may give birth to a child who will help his son Hussein in Karbala. Be aware! Your father has saved you for such a day; so never fail to help your brother and support your sisters. Qamar Bani Hashem said to Zohair: Zohair, you encourage me to support my brother and sisters  on such a day; by God, today I will show you a scene which you have never seen like it .

Zohair and the levels of love for leadership

On the night of Ashura, when the Imam Hussein delivered a sermon and informed his companions of the latest situation, one of those who spoke up and expressed his love and loyalty was Zohair Ibn Qein. After Muslim Ibn Osajeh expressed his loyalty, he stood up and said: By God, I love to be killed and to be brought back to life and to be killed a thousand times; and may God Almighty keep death away from you, your youth, and your family by killing me.

Zohair's words on the day of Ashura

Kathir Ibn Abdullah Sha'bi says: When we attacked Hussein, Zohair Ibn Qein came towards us riding his long-tailed horse, armed and saying: Be careful, I warn you of God's punishment; it is obligatory on a Muslim to advise his Muslim brother.

We have been brothers and have the same religion until now; we are of the same religion until the sword separates us, your advising are necessary for us. When the matter falls to the sword, the bond of brotherhood is broken; we are one nation and you are another nation. God tested us and you with the children of His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) to see what we are doing.

We call upon you to help him and to distance yourself from the rebellious son of the rebellious Ubeydullah Ibn  Ziyad, because they have seen and will see nothing but evil from them; they will gouge out your eyes, cut off your hands and feet, hang you on gallows, cut off your ears and noses, and kill your righteous and learned men, such as Hojr Ibn Adi and his companions, and Hani Ibn Urwah and those like him.

In response, they insulted him, praised Ibn Ziyad, and said, "By God, we will not return until we kill your master and his companions or take him to Amir Ubeydullah." Zohair said, "O servants of God, the son of Fatima is more deserving of friendship and support than the son of Sumayyah. If you do not help him, may God protect you; but do not kill him and leave him to Yazid. By my life, Yazid is also pleased with your obedience by not killing Hussein."

Shemr shot an arrow at him and said: "Be quiet, you have tired us with your talk." Zohair said: "O Bedouin, I will not speak to you; indeed, you are one of the four-legged. By God, I do not think that you understand two verses of the Quran correctly. May you be given the good news of disgrace and the painful punishment of the Day of Judgment."

Shemr said: "God will kill you and your master in an hour." Zohair said: "Are you scaring me of death?! By God, death with Hussein is better for me than remaining with you forever like this." Then he addressed the people:

O servants of God, do not let this lowly oppressor and his followers deceive you from your religion; by God, the intercession of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) will not reach the people who shed the blood of his children and family, and those who help them in this oppression and kill their defenders.

A man called out to him, and said Abu Abdullah is saying: "By my life, if the believer of Pharaoh's family advised his people and conveyed the call to them, you also advised them and conveyed the call to them" .

Repelling the barbaric invasion

On the day of Ashura, Shemr Ibn Dhu'l-Jowshan rushed to the tents and the place where the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) were staying and shouted: "Bring fire so that I can burn this house and its inhabitants." The women ran out of the tent while screaming. Imam Hussein (a.s.) shouted:

O son of Dhul-Jowshan, you are asking for fire to burn down the house of my family, may God burn you in fire. At this moment, Zohair, along with ten of the Imam's companions, attacked Shemr and his companions to repel their attack and drove them away from Husseini 's enclave. In this clash, Abu Azzeh al-Dhababi, who had attacked with Shemr, was killed by Zohair Ibn Qein.

Hard battle

Zohair, like other companions of Imam Hussein (AS), fiercely defended his school, belief, and Imam against the enemies and did not hesitate for a moment in supporting his beloved and intended one. Abu Mekhnaf writes: After Habib's martyrdom, the fire of war flared up again.

Zohair Ibn Qein entered the field with Horr. The two fought a hard battle. Whenever the enemy surrounded one of them, the other would rush to his aid and save him until he was martyred.

When the prayer of fear was offered under the leadership of Abi Abdellah (peace be upon him), Zohair once again entered the field and began a fierce battle, the like of which had never been seen or heard. As he attacked the enemy, he chanted the following verses:

انا زهیر و انا ابن القین‏» «اذودکم بالسیف عن حسین

I am Zohair and the son of Qein, and with my sword I will keep you away from Hussein (peace be upon him). Then he returned to the Imam and when he stood in front of him, he said:

فدتک نفسی هادیا مهدیا الیوم القی جدک النبیا و حسنا و المرتضی علیا و ذا الجناحین الشهید حیا

May my soul be sacrificed for you who were guided. Today I will meet your  grandfather (the Prophet), as well as your brother Hassan and your father Ali Mortaza and the living martyr to whom God gave two wings. It seems that Zohair bid farewell to the Imam with these words.

And he went to the battlefield again. He continued to fight until Kathir Ibn Abdullah Sha'bi and Mohajir Ibn  Ows attacked him and martyred him.

Imam's presence at Zohair's bedside

Ibn Shahrashoob writes: After Zohair's martyrdom, Imam Hussein (a.s.) came to her bedside and said:

لا یبعدنک یا زهیر و لعن الله‏قاتلیک لعن الذین مسخوا قرده و خنازیر

O Zohair, may God not turn you away from His mercy and may he curse your killers, just as he cursed those who were transformed into monkeys and pigs.