Amr b. Qaraza
Amr b. Qaraza (Arabic: عَمرو بن قَرَظَة) (martyrdom 61/680) was one of the martyrs of 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's side.
| Amr b. Qaraza | |
|---|---|
| Native name | عَمرو بن قَرَظَة |
| Full Name | Amr b. Qaraza b. Ka'b al-Khazraji al-Ansari al-Kufi |
| Companion of | Imam al-Hussain |
| 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, Karbala |
| Activities | It is reported that in the Day of Ashura, he stood in front of Imam al-Hussain as a shield and received every arrow shot at the Imam |
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 subsequent battles. During the rule of Imam Ali, he was appointed as the governor of Kufa. He also fought on the side of Imam Ali in several battles.
In Karbala
Before the day of Ashura, Imam Hussain asked Amr b. Qaraza to deliver a message to 'Umar b. Sa'd to meet each other at night.
Reports state that Amr stood in front of Imam Hussain as a shield from oncoming arrows. Before dying, he asked Imam, "Did I fulfill my promise?" The Imam answered: "Yes, you are in front of me in the paradise. Send my greetings to the Prophet."
In Ziyarah al-Shuhada', he is mentioned by name, when it says,
peace be upon Amr b. Qaraza al-Ansari
Brother
Amr's brother, named Ali (other sources name him as Zubayr), fought for the army of Umar b. Sa'd. When Amr was martyred, his brother addressed Imam Hussain,
O liar! You deceived and fooled my brother and killed him!
The Imam responded,
God did not deceive your brother; but, He guided him and deceived you.
His brother shouted back,
May God kill me if I don't kill you!
He then attacked the Imam, but Nafi' b. Hilal hit him with a spear and he fell on the ground. Some of Ibn Ziyad's forces then took him out of the battlefield.