Al-Husayn

Al-Husayn is the second grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, brother of al-Hasan. Loved by his grandfather, he is with him 'the master of the youth of Paradise.' He refused to pledge allegiance to the unjust authority of Yazid and was killed with his family at Karbala — a tragedy that marked the memory of the community forever.

Al-Husayn was born in Medina in year 4 of the Hijra. Like his elder brother al-Hasan, he was showered with the Prophet's ﷺ affection, who called them 'my sons, the sons of my daughter Fatima' and said: 'O Allah, I love them, love them.'

At the death of Mu'awiya, power passed to his son Yazid. Al-Husayn refused to pledge allegiance to him, judging his rule unjust. Called by the inhabitants of Kufa who promised him their support, he set out for Iraq with his family and a small group of loyalists. But the promised support collapsed.

At Karbala, in year 61 of the Hijra (680), he was surrounded by a large army, deprived of water with his family, then killed in battle along with most of the men of his family. His death — the martyrdom of Karbala — caused immense grief in the Muslim community, and remains one of the most painful events in its history.

Al-Husayn is a beloved grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, deeply honoured. His death at Karbala was a crime that Muslims deplore. The tragedy of Karbala is a major historical fact; around it many accounts have accumulated over the centuries, of varying solidity. We adhere here to the well-established broad lines, with the respect owed to this figure and this tragedy.

Al-Husayn has become, through Karbala, a universal symbol of refusal of injustice and courage before oppression, even at the cost of his life. His story teaches faithfulness to principles when yielding would be easier. It also recalls the pain of the divisions that crossed the Muslim community very early in its history.