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'''Ali Asqar ibn Hussain''' (d. 10 [[Muharram]] 61/ 10 October 680), commonly known as ‘Ali al-Asqar (“younger ‘Ali”), was [[Hussain ibn Ali|Imam Hussain]]’s youngest son. He was killed at the [[Battle of Karbala]] by an arrow shot at his throat and is commemorated annually by Shi’a community during Muharram rituals. He is the youngest martyr of the Battle of Karbala on the day of Ashura. He is given the title "Bab al-Hawa'ij".
'''Ali Asqar ibn Hussain''' (d. 10 [[Muharram]] 61/ 10 October 680), commonly known as ‘Ali al-Asqar (“younger ‘Ali”), was [[Hussain ibn Ali|Imam Hussain]]’s youngest son. He was killed at the [[Battle of Karbala]] by an arrow shot at his throat and is commemorated annually by Shi’a community during Muharram rituals. He is the youngest martyr of the Battle of Karbala on the day of Ashura. He is given the title "Bab al-Hawa'ij".
==Ali Asqar’s Birth and Martyrdom==
==Ali Asqar’s Birth and Martyrdom==
His mother was Rabab bint Imraʾ al-Qays b. Adi Kalbi.<ref>Tabari, p. 387; Mofid, al-Ekhtesas, Tehran, 1379/1959-60, p. 83</ref> According to various sources, he was a new-born child <ref>Yaʿqubi, II, pp. 290f.</ref>, or an infant. <ref>one-year-old in Balʿami; Tarikh, p. 268; Chronique IV, p. 43; six months in the Arabic “historical romance” of Ebn Taʾus Taʾusi, tr. F. Wüstenfeld, Der Tod des Husein ben ʿAli und die Rache, Göttingen, 1883, p. 91</ref> After trying to reach the Euphrates River, Hussain, surrounded by his enemies and badly wounded, took Abdallah in his lap. A man from the Banu Asad shot an arrow into the baby’s neck, killing him; Hussain gathered his blood in his hands, spilled it on the ground, and invoked God against the evil-doers. <ref>Tabari, II, pp. 359-60; Baḷʿami, p. 268; Chronique IV, p. 44</ref> Various later accounts confuse Abdallah b. Hussain and [[ʿAbdallah b. Hasan|Abdallah b. Hasan]], the latter of whom was killed defending his uncle Hussain. According to Tabari <ref>II, p. 387</ref>, the Abdallah b. Hussain was killed by Hani b. Thabit Hazrami, and Abdallah b. Hasan by [[Harmala b. Kahel]]. According to the later Persian tradition, Abdallah b. Hussain was killed by Harmala b. Kahel Azdi, who shot an arrow through the baby’s throat.<ref>Hussain Waʿez ashefi, [[Rawzat al-Shuhada]], ed. M. Ramazani, Tehran, 1341 Sh./1962, p. 343; Habib al-siar [Tehran], II, p. 55</ref> Rawzat al-Shuhada adds that the arrow also penetrated Hussain’s arm; he removed it, stanched the bleeding, and took care not to spill a drop of blood on the ground. In various chronicles not concerned with [[Shiʿa|Shiʿite]] tradition regarding the three sons of Hussain named Ali, there are further confusions; thus [[Ali b. al-Hussain|Ali Zayn-al-Abedin]] is sometimes called Ali Asqar instead of  Ali Awsat.<ref>e.g., Dinavari, Cairo, 1330/1912, p. 256; Habib al-siar II, p. 61</ref> In Tarikh-eQom <ref>ed. S. J. Ṭehrani, Tehran, 1313 Sh./1934, pp. 195ff.</ref> “Imam [[ʿAli Akbar|Ali Akbar]]” refers to Shahrbanuya’s son (i.e., Zayn-al-Abedin), and “Ali Asqar, the son of Layla,” to Ali Akbar; Abdallah (= Ali Asqar) is killed by an arrow in his mother’s arms.  
His mother was Rabab bint Imraʾ al-Qays b. Adi Kalbi.<ref>Tabari, p. 387; Mofid, al-Ekhtesas, Tehran, 1379/1959-60, p. 83</ref> According to various sources, he was a new-born child <ref>Yaʿqubi, II, pp. 290f.</ref>, or an infant. <ref>one-year-old in Balʿami; Tarikh, p. 268; Chronique IV, p. 43; six months in the Arabic “historical romance” of Ebn Taʾus Taʾusi, tr. F. Wüstenfeld, Der Tod des Husein ben ʿAli und die Rache, Göttingen, 1883, p. 91</ref> After trying to reach the Euphrates River, Hussain, surrounded by his enemies and badly wounded, took Abdallah in his lap. A man from the Banu Asad shot an arrow into the baby’s neck, killing him; Hussain gathered his blood in his hands, spilled it on the ground, and invoked God against the evil-doers. <ref>Tabari, II, pp. 359-60; Baḷʿami, p. 268; Chronique IV, p. 44</ref> Various later accounts confuse Abdallah b. Hussain and [[ʿAbdallah b. Hasan|Abdallah b. Hasan]], the latter of whom was killed defending his uncle Hussain. According to Tabari <ref>II, p. 387</ref>, the Abdallah b. Hussain was killed by Hani b. Thabit Hazrami, and Abdallah b. Hasan by [[Harmala b. Kahil al-Asadi|Harmala b. Kahel]]. According to the later Persian tradition, Abdallah b. Hussain was killed by Harmala b. Kahel Azdi, who shot an arrow through the baby’s throat.<ref>Hussain Waʿez ashefi, [[Rawzat al-Shuhada]], ed. M. Ramazani, Tehran, 1341 Sh./1962, p. 343; Habib al-siar [Tehran], II, p. 55</ref> Rawzat al-Shuhada adds that the arrow also penetrated Hussain’s arm; he removed it, stanched the bleeding, and took care not to spill a drop of blood on the ground. In various chronicles not concerned with [[Shiʿa|Shiʿite]] tradition regarding the three sons of Hussain named Ali, there are further confusions; thus [[Ali b. al-Hussain|Ali Zayn-al-Abedin]] is sometimes called Ali Asqar instead of  Ali Awsat.<ref>e.g., Dinavari, Cairo, 1330/1912, p. 256; Habib al-siar II, p. 61</ref> In Tarikh-eQom <ref>ed. S. J. Ṭehrani, Tehran, 1313 Sh./1934, pp. 195ff.</ref> “Imam [[ʿAli Akbar|Ali Akbar]]” refers to Shahrbanuya’s son (i.e., Zayn-al-Abedin), and “Ali Asqar, the son of Layla,” to Ali Akbar; Abdallah (= Ali Asqar) is killed by an arrow in his mother’s arms.  
==Commemoration and Shi’i Rituals==
==Commemoration and Shi’i Rituals==
In Muharram ceremonies and commemorations, ‘Ali Asqar is represented as an innocent child suffering unbearable thirst; his martyrdom provokes loud lamentations in the whole harem (and in Muharram assemblies). Popular iconography represents Hussain, generally riding a white stallion, holding ‘Ali Asqar in his arms before the enemy ranks; he says to them, “Oh people, even if in your opinion I am a sinner, this baby is sinless. Give him a sip of water!”.<ref>Rawzat al-Shuhada, p. 342; Habib al-siar II, p. 55</ref> Ali Asqar’s [[martyrdom]] is celebrated at length in [[Rawza-Khani]] literature <ref>e.g., Jawhari, Tufan al-bokaʾ, Tehran, n.d., pp. 254-59</ref>; in Cerulli’s collection of [[Ta'ziya|taʿziyas]], he is not specifically mentioned, though his martyrdom is represented in the majles dedicated to the death of Imam Hussain.<ref>Rossi and Bombaci, Elenco, nos. 539, 576, 583, 603/1, 699</ref> It seems that in earlier taʿziya tradition a complete [[majles]] was dedicated to ‘Ali Asqar.<ref>A. Chodzko’s collection, Cat. Bib. Nat., Supplément persan, no. 993, drame no. 23</ref> The infant’s cradle is a conspicuous element on the stage.<ref>see, e.g., the list of properties in Rossi and Bombaci, Elenco, no. 603/1</ref> ‘Ali Asqar is also represented in Muharram processions <ref>H. Massé, Croyances et coutumes persanes, Paris, 1938, I, p. 127, after S. G Wilson</ref> and celebrated in folklore. He is buried with other martyrs of Karbala near Imam Hussain’s grave.
In Muharram ceremonies and commemorations, ‘Ali Asqar is represented as an innocent child suffering unbearable thirst; his martyrdom provokes loud lamentations in the whole harem (and in Muharram assemblies). Popular iconography represents Hussain, generally riding a white stallion, holding ‘Ali Asqar in his arms before the enemy ranks; he says to them, “Oh people, even if in your opinion I am a sinner, this baby is sinless. Give him a sip of water!”.<ref>Rawzat al-Shuhada, p. 342; Habib al-siar II, p. 55</ref> Ali Asqar’s [[martyrdom]] is celebrated at length in [[Rawza-Khani]] literature <ref>e.g., Jawhari, Tufan al-bokaʾ, Tehran, n.d., pp. 254-59</ref>; in Cerulli’s collection of [[Ta'ziya|taʿziyas]], he is not specifically mentioned, though his martyrdom is represented in the majles dedicated to the death of Imam Hussain.<ref>Rossi and Bombaci, Elenco, nos. 539, 576, 583, 603/1, 699</ref> It seems that in earlier taʿziya tradition a complete [[majles]] was dedicated to ‘Ali Asqar.<ref>A. Chodzko’s collection, Cat. Bib. Nat., Supplément persan, no. 993, drame no. 23</ref> The infant’s cradle is a conspicuous element on the stage.<ref>see, e.g., the list of properties in Rossi and Bombaci, Elenco, no. 603/1</ref> ‘Ali Asqar is also represented in Muharram processions <ref>H. Massé, Croyances et coutumes persanes, Paris, 1938, I, p. 127, after S. G Wilson</ref> and celebrated in folklore. He is buried with other martyrs of Karbala near Imam Hussain’s grave.

Revision as of 09:54, 8 December 2020

Ali Asqar ibn Hussain
Native name
عـلی الأصغر بـن الـحـسـیـن
DiedFriday, 10th of Muharram, 61 A.H./ 10 October 680 (Gregorian Calendar)
Karbala, Iraq
Resting placein Imam al-Hussain's grave in Karbala.
Known forThe youngest martyr in the Battle of Karbala
Parents
RelativesMuhammad (maternal great grandfather), Ali ibn Abi Talib (paternal grandfather), Fatima (maternal grandmother), Hasan ibn Ali (uncle), Hussain ibn AliHussain ibn Ali (father), Umm Kulthum bint Ali (aunt), Ali ibn Hussain- Sajjad (brother), Ali al-Akbar (brother)

Ali Asqar ibn Hussain (d. 10 Muharram 61/ 10 October 680), commonly known as ‘Ali al-Asqar (“younger ‘Ali”), was Imam Hussain’s youngest son. He was killed at the Battle of Karbala by an arrow shot at his throat and is commemorated annually by Shi’a community during Muharram rituals. He is the youngest martyr of the Battle of Karbala on the day of Ashura. He is given the title "Bab al-Hawa'ij".

Ali Asqar’s Birth and Martyrdom

His mother was Rabab bint Imraʾ al-Qays b. Adi Kalbi.[1] According to various sources, he was a new-born child [2], or an infant. [3] After trying to reach the Euphrates River, Hussain, surrounded by his enemies and badly wounded, took Abdallah in his lap. A man from the Banu Asad shot an arrow into the baby’s neck, killing him; Hussain gathered his blood in his hands, spilled it on the ground, and invoked God against the evil-doers. [4] Various later accounts confuse Abdallah b. Hussain and Abdallah b. Hasan, the latter of whom was killed defending his uncle Hussain. According to Tabari [5], the Abdallah b. Hussain was killed by Hani b. Thabit Hazrami, and Abdallah b. Hasan by Harmala b. Kahel. According to the later Persian tradition, Abdallah b. Hussain was killed by Harmala b. Kahel Azdi, who shot an arrow through the baby’s throat.[6] Rawzat al-Shuhada adds that the arrow also penetrated Hussain’s arm; he removed it, stanched the bleeding, and took care not to spill a drop of blood on the ground. In various chronicles not concerned with Shiʿite tradition regarding the three sons of Hussain named Ali, there are further confusions; thus Ali Zayn-al-Abedin is sometimes called Ali Asqar instead of Ali Awsat.[7] In Tarikh-eQom [8] “Imam Ali Akbar” refers to Shahrbanuya’s son (i.e., Zayn-al-Abedin), and “Ali Asqar, the son of Layla,” to Ali Akbar; Abdallah (= Ali Asqar) is killed by an arrow in his mother’s arms.

Commemoration and Shi’i Rituals

In Muharram ceremonies and commemorations, ‘Ali Asqar is represented as an innocent child suffering unbearable thirst; his martyrdom provokes loud lamentations in the whole harem (and in Muharram assemblies). Popular iconography represents Hussain, generally riding a white stallion, holding ‘Ali Asqar in his arms before the enemy ranks; he says to them, “Oh people, even if in your opinion I am a sinner, this baby is sinless. Give him a sip of water!”.[9] Ali Asqar’s martyrdom is celebrated at length in Rawza-Khani literature [10]; in Cerulli’s collection of taʿziyas, he is not specifically mentioned, though his martyrdom is represented in the majles dedicated to the death of Imam Hussain.[11] It seems that in earlier taʿziya tradition a complete majles was dedicated to ‘Ali Asqar.[12] The infant’s cradle is a conspicuous element on the stage.[13] ‘Ali Asqar is also represented in Muharram processions [14] and celebrated in folklore. He is buried with other martyrs of Karbala near Imam Hussain’s grave.

References

  1. ↑ Tabari, p. 387; Mofid, al-Ekhtesas, Tehran, 1379/1959-60, p. 83
  2. ↑ Yaʿqubi, II, pp. 290f.
  3. ↑ one-year-old in Balʿami; Tarikh, p. 268; Chronique IV, p. 43; six months in the Arabic “historical romance” of Ebn Taʾus Taʾusi, tr. F. Wüstenfeld, Der Tod des Husein ben ʿAli und die Rache, Göttingen, 1883, p. 91
  4. ↑ Tabari, II, pp. 359-60; Baḷʿami, p. 268; Chronique IV, p. 44
  5. ↑ II, p. 387
  6. ↑ Hussain Waʿez ashefi, Rawzat al-Shuhada, ed. M. Ramazani, Tehran, 1341 Sh./1962, p. 343; Habib al-siar [Tehran], II, p. 55
  7. ↑ e.g., Dinavari, Cairo, 1330/1912, p. 256; Habib al-siar II, p. 61
  8. ↑ ed. S. J. Ṭehrani, Tehran, 1313 Sh./1934, pp. 195ff.
  9. ↑ Rawzat al-Shuhada, p. 342; Habib al-siar II, p. 55
  10. ↑ e.g., Jawhari, Tufan al-bokaʾ, Tehran, n.d., pp. 254-59
  11. ↑ Rossi and Bombaci, Elenco, nos. 539, 576, 583, 603/1, 699
  12. ↑ A. Chodzko’s collection, Cat. Bib. Nat., Supplément persan, no. 993, drame no. 23
  13. ↑ see, e.g., the list of properties in Rossi and Bombaci, Elenco, no. 603/1
  14. ↑ H. Massé, Croyances et coutumes persanes, Paris, 1938, I, p. 127, after S. G Wilson

Bibliography

  • See also Y. Lassy, The Muharram Mysteries among the Azerbeijan Turks of Caucasia, Helsingfors, 1916, pp. 39ff., 99, 124.
  • E. Rossi and A. Bombaci, Elenco di drammi religiosi persiani (fondo mss. Vaticani Cerulli), Vatican City, 1961 (indices).
  • H. ul-Ameene, Islamic Shiʿite Encyclopaedia, Beirut, 1973, IV, pp. 172ff.
  • J. Calmard, Le Culte de l’Imām Ḥusayn, Etude sur la commémoration du drame de Karbaladans l’Iran pré-safavide, thesis, University of Paris III (Sorbonne), May, 1975, index and Tableau A, Tableau B. (J. Calmard).

Source

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