A deeply emotional Majlis dedicated to the bravery and sacrifice of Bibi Zainab’s sons, ‘Aun and Muhammad, on the 6th night of Muharram.
Surah al-Fatiha
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Today is the 6th night of Muharram.
Our majaalis continue. Insha’Allah, our eyes will shed more tears for the martyrs of Karbala. We will do more Matam al-Husayn.
“Husayn! Karbala! Matam! Majaalis!”
When these words echo in our mosque, a lady in black hijab joins us. She is Bibi Fatimah. She watches, cries, and collects our tears. Our tears for Husayn will become our shield in the grave and on the Day of Judgement.
Imam Husayn is in Karbala. He has only 72 men, some of whom are children. Among them are ‘Aun and Muhammad, the young sons of Bibi Zainab. ‘Aun is 13 years old, Muhammad is 11.
Honouring the Mothers of Karbala
Tonight is the night to honour the mothers of Karbala, especially Bibi Zainab, the mother of ‘Aun and Muhammad. These mothers sacrificed their children for Islam.
Mothers of Karbala:
- Bibi Zainab, mother of ‘Aun & Muhammad
- Umm Farwah, mother of Qasim
- Umm Laila, mother of ‘Ali Akbar
- Umm Rubab, mother of ‘Ali Asghar
These mothers loved their children deeply, yet sacrificed them because they knew Husayn was on the Right Path, and that their sacrifices would save Islam.
Matam al-Karbala will never die.
Allah has promised to keep the name of Husayn alive till the Day of Judgement.
Preparation on the Night of ‘Ashura
The night of 9th Muharram – the last night for the martyrs.
No one slept. Men prayed, mothers prepared their children to sacrifice.
What did the Mothers say?
Umm Laila to ‘Ali Akbar:
“Your life is not more important than your father’s. Give your life to protect him.”
Umm Rubab to baby Asghar:
“If only you were grown up, I would send you too.”
Umm Farwah to Qasim:
“Don’t shame me before your father. Sacrifice your life for your uncle.”
Umm Kulthoom to Abbas:
“I have no sons to sacrifice.”
Abbas replied:
“Then I will sacrifice myself on your behalf.”
Bibi Zainab to ‘Aun & Muhammad:
“If anything happens to your uncle while you live, I will be ashamed. Don’t let me down.”
Martyrdom of ‘Aun and Muhammad
On ‘Ashura, ‘Ali Akbar gave the Adhan. Imam Husayn led the Fajr prayers.
The battle began. One by one, companions were martyred.
Bibi Zainab watched. She called her sons:
“Why are you still here?”
They replied:
“Uncle Husayn refuses to let us go. Help us, mother.”
Zainab went to her brother:
“Brother, I beg you. Let my sons go. I don’t want to be ashamed before our mother Fatimah.”
Imam Husayn was moved. He kissed the boys, mounted them on their horses:
“Go, show them you carry the blood of Ja’far and ‘Ali.”
‘Aun and Muhammad fought bravely. Umar Saad, alarmed, ordered his army to separate them and attack from all sides. The boys were overpowered.
As they fell, they called:
“Uncle! Help us!”
Imam Husayn and Abbas rushed. The boys were severely wounded. Their last words:
“Uncle, give our salaam to mother. Tell her we didn’t go to the river.”
They were carried back to the tent. ‘Ali Akbar cried:
“My brothers have been martyred!”
Bibi Zainab heard. She laid her musallah, performed sajdah:
“Ya Allah, thank You for accepting my sacrifice. I am proud of my sons.”
Women gathered around the bodies and cried:
“Ya ‘Aunna, ya Muhammada! Ya ‘Aunna, ya Muhammada!”
Zainab did not cry. She did not do matam.
She had already sacrificed her sons for Islam.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaih Raja’oon!
We are from Allah and to Him we return!
Matam al-Husayn!
