Anas b. al-Harith al-Kahili
Anas b. al-Harith al-Kahili was a companion of the Prophet who fought bravely at the Battle of Karbala and was martyred on the Day of Ashura.
| Anas b. al-Harith al-Kahili | |
|---|---|
| Native name | أنَس بن حارِث الکاهِلی |
| Full Name | Anas b. al-Harith al-Kahili |
| Companion of | Prophet, Imam al-Hussain |
| Well Known As | Transmitter of a hadith from the Holy Prophet about the killing of Imam Hussain in Karbala. |
| Place(s) of Residence | Kufa |
| Death/Martyrdom | 61/680 |
| Cause ofDeath/Martyrdom | Martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala |
| Burial Place | The Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain |
Companion of the Prophet
As a companion of the Prophet, Anas participated in the battles of Badr and Hunayn.[1] His father, Harith b. Nabih was also among the companions of the Prophet and among the Companions of Suffa.[2]
Ibn Aseer Jazari in Asadul Ghabah says that Anas bin Malik was one of the natives of Kufa. Anas was transmitter of a hadith from the Prophet which is mentioned in both Shia and Sunni sources. He said, “I heard from the Prophet saying: "Surely, this son of mine (i.e. Hussain) will be killed in a land called Karbala; so, anyone of you who sees that among you, should help him."[3]
Joining Imam Hussain
To evade the approaching war, Ans left Kufa. However, when in Qasr Bani Muqatil, he heard the conversation between Imam Hussain and Ubayd Allah b. Hurr al-Ju'fi (who had left Kufa for the same reason), he changed his mind and join the Imam and said,
“By God I swear that I exited Kufa except that like Ubayd Allah b. Hurr, I disliked fighting with you or against you, but God guided my heart to help you and accompany you.”[4]
Warning Umar b. Sa'd
Before Ashura, Anas went to Umar b. Sa'd to advise him. When he arrived to Umar, did not say Salaam to him.
Umar said, “Why didn’t you say Salaam to me? Am I not a Muslim?”
Anas said, “By God I swear you are not a Muslim, because you want to kill the son of the Prophet .”
Umar hung his head [in shame] and said, “By God I swear I know the murderer of Hussain is in the [hell] fire, but there is no escape from the order of Emir Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad.”
Anas came back to Imam Hussain and informed him of Umar’s talk.[5]
On the day of Ashura
As Shaikh Ibn Nima narrates in Museerul Ehzan, Anas went to the battlefield saying:
“Tribes Kahil, Dawdan, Khandaf and Qeys ‘Alyan all know that my tribe is destroyer of all rivals; O companions! Be like a roaring lion Surely Ali [family of Ali ] are followers of the All-Compassionate God and Al Harb [family of war] (Banu Sufyan) are followers of Satan.”[6]
After he killed some of the enemy, he was martyred. His name is mentioned in the Ziarat al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa.