HUSAYN - The SAGA of HOPE - A Historical Narrative of Imam Husayn Ibn Ali

328 Pages·2022·6.858 MB·English

by  Jalal Moughania

A HISTORICAL NARRATIVE OF
IMAM HUSAYN IBN ALI
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THE SAGA OF HOPE
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THE SAGA OF HOPE I S' ! . .. ,
Husayn is of me and I am of Husayn. God loves those who love Husayn i i 11
THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD
1
hi 680 AD, the grandson of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, Husayn ibn Ali, way ■ Pl
tally slaughtered by an army of thirty-thousand at the order oi die Umayyad u:
Yazid ibn Muawiya. History tells us that Husayn knew of liis inevitable fate and
braced it — that he would be killed by an unjust lot and in a land that would foix
be enshrined in the hearts of men and women across die ages, as Karbala.
While Husayn was killed at rhe wliims of men’s greed and lust for power, what did
Husayn actually die for? What was the purpose of liis most tragic death? Even
beyond die stance of justice against injustice and die notion of supporting die op­
pressed against oppression, all of which are noble pursuits of humanity, the founda­
tional purpose for which Husayn died is very simple. Husayn died for the same tiling
diat he lived for — Islam. His tragedy, liis Saga of Hope, would be rhe catalyst to save
the religion dial billions of people around the world have come to follow over the
past fourteen centuries.
This book is about liis story. It tells die tale of Husayn’s amazing life and most heroic
death. Husayn grew up in die lap of liis grandfather die Prophet Muhammad, and
was slain at die hands of the same people who claimed to follow liis grandfather.
Husayn was by far the greatest leader, most noble warrior, and highest scholar of liis
time. He is certainly one of the most inspiring and consequential figures in human
history. His legacy of sacrifice, love, and hope, have moved even the coldest of
hearts, perhaps even diose who took part in killing him.
\Xlien all liis friends, brothers, and even his own baby were killed, Husayn would
turn to the heavens and pray, “We belong to God, and to Him we return.” He gave
everything tor God. Il a reader is looking for more than an inspiring story, but rather
a lite-changing experience of truth, of honor, of love — then the reader has come to
the right place. The reader has come to Husayn: The Saga of Hope.
JAI Al. MOUGHANIA is a lawyer, i<scare her. and writer. I Ir is the co-author ol / he
Pop< M< < is rh< Uaioll.ih; An Inttoduction io Shi'a Islam, as well as the translator and
wiitvi <>l Grand \y.Uollah M.S. Al-Hakrcm's The M.nj.uya: A Candid Conversation.
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MAINSTAY
ISBN 9781943393206
f o JIWIIIII IS
9V 819 4 3 393206“_____________

A HISTORICAL NARRATIVE OF
IMAM HUSAYN IBN ALI
HUSAYN
THE SAGA OF HOPE
JALAL MOUGHANIA
MAINSTAY
F O U N 0 A I t 0 N
1 lusayn: The Saga of I lope
Author: Jalal Moughania
© 2022 The Mainstay Foundation
Calligraphy cover design: Zuhayr Husayni
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be repro­
duced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, or mechanical, includ­
ing photocopying, recording, taping, web distribution, information storage and retrieval
systems, or in any other manner - without the written permission of the Mainstay Foun­
dation.
Printed in the United Stales.
ISBN: 978-1943393206

To Imam HusaytTs brother and partner in vision...
Imam Hasan ibn AH
Peace be upon Husayn
And upon Ali ibn Husayn
And upon the children oj H us ay n
And upon the companions of Husayn
The champions that gave their lives
And pledged to never leave
Their beloved Husayn
CONTENTS
Notes on Usage, Spelling and Formatting iii
Preface......................................................... vii
Chapter 1: In the Prophet’s Arms....... 1
Chapter 2: After the Messenger.......... 17
Chapter 3: His Father’s Caliphate....... 37
Chapter 4: Muawiya’s Dynasty........... 45
Chapter 5: Farewell, Grandfather....... 63
Chapter 6: At the House of God......... 73
Chapter 7: His Ambassador to Iraq.... 89
Chapter 8: Kufa Has a New Governor 99
Chapter 9: The Road to Iraq................ 113
Chapter 10: A Letter of Security............ 127
Chapter 11: The Eve of Ashura............. 133
Chapter 12: A Call for Peace.................. 141
Chapter 13: The Battle Begins............... 149
Chapter 14: The Valiant Companions. 159
Chapter 15: They Attacked the Tents.... 169
Chapter 16: After the Final Prayer........ 179
Chapter 17: The Sons of Ali................... 191
Chapter 18: Husayn’s Back is Broken ... 203
Chapter 19: Farewell, My Child............ 215
Chapter 20: Husayn In the Battlefield... 225
Chapter 21: They Killed Him................ 239
Chapter 22: From Karbala to Kufa....... 251