Zuhayr b. al-Qayn
Zuhayr b. al-Qayn (Arabic: زهیر بن القین) was a senior member of the al-Bajila tribe who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. He was a noble man and highly respected in virtue of participating in many battles. In some sources, al-Qayn—Zuhayr's father—is mentioned as one of the companions of the Prophet. Zuhayr was a among prominent companions of Imam Hussain and a high-ranking member of his army.
| Zuhayr b. al-Qayn | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zuhayr b. al-Qayn al-Bajali |
| Companion of | Imam al-Hussain |
| Lineage | Al-Bajila tribe |
| Place(s) of Residence | Kufa |
| Death/Martyrdom | 61/680 |
| Cause ofDeath/Martyrdom | Martyred in the Event of 'Ashura |
| Burial Place | Karbala |
| Activities | Commander of the right wing of Imam al-Hussain's army in the Event of Ashura |
Joining to the Imam Hussain's army
Zuhayr was an advocate of Uthman. In 60/680, Zuhayr and his wife were returning from hajj pilgrimage to Kufa together with their relatives and fellows, met Imam Hussain and his companions in a resting area on the way, called Zarud. Imam Hussain and his companions were also on their way to Kufa. According to al-Dinawari, the meeting occurred in Zarud resting area.[1]
Imam Hussain sent a messenger to Zuhayr and asked him for a meeting. Zuhayr was first reluctant to meet the Imam, but when his wife, Daylam or Dalham, the daughter of Amr,[2] encouraged him to do so, he went to Imam Hussain. The meeting changed the course of his life. After the meeting, he happily went back to his family and friends, and had his camp and stuff moved near Imam Hussain's camp.[3]
Zuhayr said farewell to his wife, and, based on another account, divorced her, and told her: "I am going to be martyred besides Imam Hussain. You go back to your family together with your brother because I do not want you to see anything harmful from me".[4]
Zuhayr then asked his companions to join him if they are willing to be martyred; otherwise, this would be their last visit. According to some sources, Salman b. Mudarib—Zuhayr's cousin—accompanied him and joined Imam Hussain's army.[5]
Speech in Dhu Husam
Encountered Hurr b. Yazid's army, Imam Hussain delivered a speech in Dhu Husam area. In this speech, Imam mentioned to many changes happened to the world, corruptions dominant in the society, and the insignificance of this-worldly life.[6] When the Imam's speech was over, Zuhayr was the first one who declared his obedience of Imam Hussain. The Imam prayed for him and appreciated him.[7]
Suggestion of Attack on Hurr's Army
On second of Muharram, 61/October 2, 680, Imam Hussain's caravan arrived in Ninawa. At the same time, a messenger from Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad delivered a letter for Hurr in which Ibn Ziyad ordered him to remain strict on Hussain and force him to dwell in a desert with no water. Hurr informed the Imam of the letter. Imam Hussain asked Hurr to let him dwell in Nineveh, Ghadiriyya or Shufayh. But Hurr replied that this was not possible since Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad had spies there.
Zuhayr suggested to Imam Hussain to attack Hurr's army, since it is easier to fight with them than with the group that was about to arrive. But Imam Hussain replied that "I will not start the war".
Zuhayr proposed another idea and suggested to dwell in a land near the Euphrates called al-'Aqar, since it had natural ramparts. He proceeded on his suggestion and said if the army of Hurr would prevent them from going there they would fight the army of Hurr since fighting them is easier than the army that will come after. Imam Hussain said: "I refuge to God from al-'Aqar!"[8]
On the Day of Tasu'a
In the afternoon of Tasu'a, Imam Hussain's sent his brother, Abbas b. 'Ali to Umar b. Sa'd's camp to see what they had in mind. Abbas and twenty of Imam Hussain's companions, including Zuhayr b. al-Qayn and Habib b. Muzahir, went to the enemy's army and asked them what they wanted and what they had in mind.
They said: "we are ordered to fight you if you do not abide with Ibn Ziyad's orders". Abbas told them to wait until he delivers the message to Imam Hussain. They agreed and waited for the reply. In the meanwhile, Habib b. Muzahir and Zuhayr b. al-Qayn seized the opportunity to preach Umar b. Sa'd's army.
Uzra b. Qays (from Umar b. Sa'd's army) said: "O' Zuhayr! You were not a Shiite (follower) of this household and were an advocate of Uthman!" Zuhayr replied:
Does not my being here mean that I am with them now? I swear to God that I never wrote a letter to al-Hussain b. Ali and never sent a messenger to him and never promised to help him, but our paths met and when I met him and remembered the Prophet and al-Hussain's place for him and learned that he was going to his enemy and your party, then I decided to help him and be in his group and sacrifice my life for the right of God and the Prophet that ignored by you.
The Night Before Ashura
The night before Ashura, Imam Hussain gave his companions and household the permission to leave him and save their lives. However,all companions declared their allegiance and faithfulness to him. After members of Imam Hussain's household expressed their allegiances, Muslim b. Awsaja al-Asadi declared his faithfulness. Then Zuhayr b. al-Qayn stood up and said: "I swear to God that I want to be killed, then be alive again, and then be killed again for a thousand times so that God protects you and your household from being killed".[9]
Commandership of the Right Front of the Army
On the day of Ashura, after the morning prayer, Imam Hussain appointed Zuhayr b. al-Qayn as the commander of the right front of his army, and Habib b. Muzahir as the commander of its left front. He gave the flag to his brother, Abbas.[10]
Preaching the Army of Umar b. Sa'd
On the day of Ashura when the two armies finally confronted, Imam Hussain preached the army of enemy. After the Imam's speech, Zuhayr b. al-Qayn asked the Imam to let him give a speech. He addressed the people of Kufa and warned them about fighting with Imam Hussain. But the army of Umar b. Sa'd responded by cursing Zuhayr and praising Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad, and insisted on the war. Finally, Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan threw an arrow to him.
Someone from Imam Hussain's army called Zuhayr and told him that:
Imam Hussain told you to come back. As the believer from the Pharaoh's household preached his tribe but to no avail, you too have preached them enough.[11]
Zuhayr's Fame Among People of Kufa
Zuhayr was known as a brave, distinguished and prominent figure of Kufa. Thus he was challenged to individual battles by Salim and Yasar—servants of Ziyad b. Abih and Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad—who were chanting paeans. When 'Abd Allah b. Umayr al-Kalbi went to fight with them, they told him: "we do not know you. Let Zuhayr b. al-Qayn or Habib b. Muzahir come and fight with us".[12] Zuhayr raised to smash them, but Imam al-Hussain did not let him go, and sent 'Abd Allah b. 'Umayr to fight them.
Preventing the Attack on Imam's Camps
Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan, accompanied with a number of his soldiers, invaded Imam Hussain's camp from the back. Shimr hit the Imam's camp with a spear and cried: "bring a fire so that I burn the place with its residents". Imam Hussain replied: "O' the son of Dhi l-Jawshan! You need fire to burn the camp and my household? May God burn you with fire!" At this time, Zuhayr and ten people from his companions attacked Shimr and his soldiers and forced them out. Zuhayr killed Abu Izza al-Dababi—a friend and a relative of Shimr.[13]
Joint Battle
After the martyrdom of Habib b. Muzahir, Zuhayr and Hurr went to the battlefield. They supported one another; whenever one was surrounded by the enemies, the other helped him out. They fought until Hurr was martyred and Zuhayr went back to the camp.[14]
Protection of Worshipers at the Noon of Ashura
On the day of Ashura, Imam Hussain and some of his companions were saying noon prayers while Zuhayr b. al-Qayn and Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi protected them against the attacks of the enemy. They shielded themselves against the arrows until the prayer was finished.[15]
Martyrdom
Zuhayr went to the battlefield with Imam's permission. It is said that he killed about 120 people from the enemy's army, and was eventually martyrdom|martyred by Kathir b. 'Abd Allah al-Sha'bi and Muhajir b. Aws al-Tamimi.[16]
Imam al-Hussain's Pray for Zuhayr
When Zuhayr was martyred, Imam Hussain prayed for him thus: "O, Zuhayr! May God bless you with His mercy and curse your killers with an eternal curse, like that of Israelites who were transshaped by God."[17]
Zuhayr's Name in Ziyara al-Shuhada'
Zuhayr b. al-Qayn is mentioned in Ziyara al-Shuhada' as follows:
"Peace be upon Zuhayr the son of al-Qayn al-Bajali; when the son of the Prophet gave him the permission to leave, he replied: 'I swear to God that I will never abandon the son of the Prophet —may peace be upon him and his progeny. Do I leave the son of the Prophet while he is surrounded by the enemies and save my life? May such a day never come!'"[18]
References
- ↑ Dīnawarī, al-Akhbār al-ṭiwāl, p. 246.
- ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 167; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 298.
- ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 167; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 298.
- ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 396.
- ↑ Dīnawarī, al-Akhbār al-ṭiwāl, p. 246-247.
- ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 396.
- ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 171; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 305.
- ↑ Dīnawarī, al-Akhbār al-ṭiwāl, p. 251-252; Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 167; Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, vol. 4, p. 51-52.
- ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 318; Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 92.
- ↑ Dīnawarī, al-Akhbār al-ṭiwāl, p. 256; Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 187; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 320.
- ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 323-324; Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, vol. 4, p. 63-64
- ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 327; Mufīd, al-Irshād, vol. 2, p. 101.
- ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 334; Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, vol. 4, p. 69-70.
- ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 336; Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, vol. 4, p. 71.
- ↑ Khwārizmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 2, p. 20.
- ↑ Balādhurī, Ansāb al-ashrāf, vol. 3, p. 196; Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk, vol. 4, p. 336.
- ↑ Khwārizmī, Maqtal al-Ḥusayn, vol. 2, p. 20.
- ↑ Ibn Ṭāwūs, Iqbāl al-aʿmāl, vol. 3, p. 77-78.
Bibliography
- Balādhurī, Aḥmad b. Yaḥyā al-. Ansāb al-ashrāf. Beirut: Dār al-Taʿāruf, 1977.
- Ibn al-Athīr, ʿAlī b. Muḥammad. Al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh. Beirut: Dār al-Ṣādir, 1965.
- Ibn Ṭāwūs, ʿAlī b. Mūsā. Iqbāl al-aʿmāl. Edited by Jawād Qayyūmī. Qom: Daftar-i Tablīghāt-i Islāmī, 1376 Sh.
- Khwārizmī, Muḥammad b. Aḥmad. Maqtal al-Ḥusayn. Edited by Muḥammad al-Samāwī. Qom: Maktabat al-Mufīd, [n.d].
- Mufīd, Muḥammad b. Muḥammad al-. Al-Irshād. Qom: Kungira-yi Shaykh al-Mufīd, 1413 AH.
- Ṭabarī, Muḥammad b. Jarīr al-. Tārīkh al-umam wa l-mulūk. Second edition. Beirut: Dār al-Turāth, 1967.