Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi
Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi (Arabic: سعید بن عبد الله الحنفی) was a companion of Imam al-Hussain who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. As a prominent Shiite and a nobleman in Kufa, he played a significant role in calling Imam al-Hussain to Kufa. He delivered important Letters of Kufians to Imam al-Hussain. In the last time, he brought Muslim b. 'Aqil's letter to the Imam and then accompanied Imam from Mecca to Karbala. His speech at the night before Ashura proved his love for Ahl al-Bayt and support of Imam al-Hussain.
| Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi |
| Companion of | Imam al-Hussain |
| Lineage | Banu Hanifa b. Lajim tribe |
| Place(s) of Residence | Kufa |
| Death/Martyrdom | 61/680 |
| Cause ofDeath/Martyrdom | Martyred in the Battle of Karbala |
| Burial Place | Holy Shrine of Imam al-Hussain, Karbala, Iraq |
| Activities | Participating in the Battle of Ashura |
Lineage
He was from the Banu Hanifa b. Lajim tribe, a clan of Banu Bakr b. Wa'il from the 'Adnan tribe. He was a famous nobleman of Kufa and he was well-known for his courage and piety. On some accounts, his name was Sa'd.
Accompanying Imam al-Hussain
Delivering the Last Letter of Kufis
After death of Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan, Shiites of Kufa wrote several letters to Imam al-Hussain and called him to Kufa. The third letter was sent by Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi and Hani b. Hani al-Sabi'i.
The third letter was written by Shabath b. Rib'i, Hajjar b. Abjar, Yazid b. al-Harith al-Shaybani|Yazid b. Harith, Yazid b. Ruwaym, 'Uzra b. Qays, 'Amr b. Hajjaj and Muhammad b. 'Umayr. On some accounts, Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah was commissioned to deliver the letter to the Imam because he was so well-reputed that he could convince the Imam to come to Kufa.
Here is the beginning of the letter:
In the name of God the compassionate, the merciful. To Hussain b. Ali from Shiite Muslims. Please come sooner because people are waiting for you and their hearts are with you. Please haste. Peace be upon you. Every place is green, fruits are ripe, and water wells are full. Please come; your army is ready and peace be upon you.
Imam al-Hussain wrote a reply to this letter and Sa'id delivered it to people of Kufa. The Imam appointed Muslim b. 'Aqil as his representative in Kufa. When Muslim entered Kufa, he resided in al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi's house and delivered a speech for people. In the assembly, 'Abis b. Abi Shabib al-Shakiri and then Habib b. Muzahir gave speeches as well, and then Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah al-Hanafi gave a speech and swore that he was resolved to helping Imam al-Hussain. In this assembly, Muslim b. 'Aqil gave Sa'id the commission to call Imam al-Hussain to Kufa. Sa'id returned to Mecca and delivered Muslim b. 'Aqil's letter to the Imam. He accompanied Imam al-Hussain from Mecca to Karbala.
In Karbala
Sa'id b. 'Abd Allah gave an epical speech on the night before Ashura when Imam al-Hussain called all his companions to gather behind the camps and gave a speech and asked them to take the hands of their friends and escape the land in the darkness of the night. The Imam said: "these people are after me, so there is nothing for you to be concerned about, and I will forgive you all".
Sa'id was one of the companions who stood up and replied to the Imam as follows:
O, the son of the Prophet! I swear to God that we never stop helping you so that God knows that we have obeyed the Prophet's will about his progeny. I swear to God that if I am killed and then be alive again, and then my corpse is burned 70 times and my ashes are gone by the wind, I will never give up on you. May I be sacrificed for you.
Martyrdom
On some accounts, after the noon prayer on the Day of Ashura, Sa'id went to Imam al-Hussain and asked for his permission to go to the battlefield. He went to the battlefield while chanting paeans. He killed and injured many people in the enemy's army and was then martyred. On another account, Sa'id was martyred after the noon prayer. When Imam al-Hussain was saying the prayers at noon, the enemy's army approached the Imam. Sa'id was guarding him by shielding himself against arrows thrown to the Imam and other prayer performers. He was hit by arrows in his face, chest, sides and, hands. When he fell down and was dying, he prayed as follows:
O, God! As you have cursed people of 'Ad and Thamud, curse these people [that is, the army of Kufa]. O, God! Send my regards to your prophet and inform him of pains and injuries I have suffered in my body, since I have helped your prophet to achieve your rewards.
It is said that Sa'id turned to Imam al-Hussain then, and said to him: "O the son of the Prophet! Have I fulfilled my pledge?" The Imam said: "Yes, you are in the heaven in front of me". It is said that when he was martyred, there were 13 arrows on his body, in addition to injuries by swords and spears.