Speeches at the Battlefield of Karbala: Difference between revisions

'''Speeches at the Battlefield of Karbala''' were addressed by Imam Hussain’s followers before entering the battlefield. In these speeches, they addressed the people of [[Kufa]] and army of [[Yazid]] to warn them about fighting with [[Hussain ibn Ali|Imam Hussain]]. The aim was to give reason and persuade enemies to join the army of Imam Hussain or abandon the battlefield.   

According to historical sources, [[Horr B. Yazid al-Riahi al-Yarbuʾi al-Tamimi|al-Hurr]] was the first to address the enemy, perhaps hoping that he would be able to persuade the thousand horsemen he commanded to see reason and leave their services under the aggressor and to shift their support to the righteous cause. Al-Hurr along with his son, brother, and servant were some among those who had crossed over from [[Yazid]]’s army. Therefore, his address to the forces that he commanded until recently was very significant.

The enemy had no answer to al-Hurr’s arguments. Realising that al-Hurr’s speech had caused a stir in the rank and file of the enemy, [[Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan|Shimr]], the cruelest and stonehearted of all, advised [[Omar Ibn Sa’d|Umar bin S’ad]] that they should immediately attack and kill al-Hurr before he could utter another word. Al-Hurr went back to seek Imam Husain’s permission to fight the enemy.

[[Burayr b. Khudayr al-Hamdani al-Mishraqi|Burayr]] took permission to address the enemy. In his address, Burayr told the enemy, “Would you refuse to recollect the tradition in which the messenger of Allah had said that he was leaving, among the people, two inseparable and essential things, namely the Qur’an and the Ahl al-Bayt and that following both is obligatory and that if they forsake anyone of the two, Muslims will be confounded and led astray.” In unison, the enemy forces replied, “We admit that the messenger of Allah had done so.” Burayr said, “Would you deny that in the Qur’an Allah declares

The enemy replied, “We are soldiers employed by Yazid to wage war. We obey his orders and there is no room for sympathy in a war.” Burayr cursed their blind following and lack of humanitarian considerations, and came back to Imam’s camp.

Then, [[Zuhayr b. al-Qayn]] took permission to address the enemy ranks. Zuhayr said, “O you people who have gathered here, have you forgotten that the messenger of Allah had advised you to adore and follow the Ahl al-Bayt of whom al-Husain is the most prominent of those present here? This is the time of your test regarding that advice. You claim to be Muslims. Your action will show how you treat al-Husain now in the context of the Prophet’s advice.”

Shimr shot an arrow towards Zuhayr saying, “O old Man, will you face us in combat or you will waste the breath of your old lungs with unnecessary talk? I am anxious to kill all of you.” Zuhayr replied, “Life among people like you is a disgrace and a burden. Death for al-Husain’s cause is indeed a grace, blessing and everlasting pleasure.”

[[Category:Events]]

[[Category:Event of Karbala]]

[[Category:Battle of Karbala]]