Amr b. Qaraza
ʿAmr b. Qaraza b. Kaʿb al-Khazraji al-Ansari al-Kufi (Arabic: عَمرو بن قَرَظَة الخَزرَجی الأَنصاری الکوفی) (martyrdom 61/680) was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. His father was a prominent companion of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali. Although Amr joined Imam Hussain's army, his brother fought for 'Umar b. Sa'd army.
| Amr b. Qaraza | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | 'Amr b. Qaraza b. Ka'b al-Khazraji al-Ansari al-Kufi |
| Companion of | Imam al-Hussain (a) |
| Religious Affiliation | Shi'a |
| Lineage | Khazraj |
| Wellknown Relatives | Qaraza b. Ka'b (father) |
| Death/Martyrdom | 61/680 |
| Cause ofDeath/Martyrdom | Martyred in the Battle of Karbala |
| Burial Place | Holy Shrine of Imam al-Hussain (a), Karbala |
| Activities | It is reported that in the Day of 'Ashura (events), he stood in front of Imam al-Hussain (a) as a shield and received every arrow thrown at Imam (a) so that he (a) would receive no harm. |
Lineage
His father, Qaraza b. Ka'b was a transmitter of hadiths. As a companion of the Prophet, Qaraza b. Ka'b fought in the Battle of Uhud and other battles after it. During the rule of Imam Ali, he was appointed as the governor of Kufa and participated in the army of Imam Ali in battles.
In Karbala
Before Day of Ashura, Imam Hussain asked 'Amr b. Qaraza to deliver a message to 'Umar b. Sa'd in order to meet each other at night.
According to al-Luhuf, on the day of 'Ashura, Imam Hussain gave 'Amr permission to go to the battlefield. Also, it is reported that he stood in front of Imam Hussain as a shield and received every arrow thrown at Imam so that he would receive no harm. Before dying, he asked Imam, "did I fulfill my promise?" Imam answered, "Yes, you are in front of me in the paradise. Send my greetings to the Prophet."
In the Ziyarah al-Shuhada', his name is mentioned, "Peace be upon 'Amr b. Qaraza al-Ansari."
Brother
'Amr's brother, named Ali (or Zubayr), fought for the army of 'Umar b. Sa'd. When 'Amr was martyred, he addressed Imam Hussain and said, "O liar! You deceived and fooled my brother and killed my brother!" Imam answered, "God did not deceive your brother; but, He guided him and deceived you." He said, "May God kill me if I don't kill you!" He then attacked Imam, but Nafi' b. Hilal hit him by a spear and he fell on the ground and his friends took him out of the battlefield.