Birth of Hazrat Hussain Ibn Ali (RA)

Hazrat Hussain Ibn Ali (ٱلْحُسَيْنُ ٱبْنُ عَلِيٍّ) رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is one of the most respected personalities in the earlier history of Islam. His birth is remembered as a most cherished and blessed event. He is the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and the younger son of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, the fourth Rashidun Caliph and a cousin of the Prophet. He was the younger brother of Hazrat Hassan رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. His mother was Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, the most beloved daughter of the Prophet. So, he belongs to the most respectable family of the Prophet and is known as one of the most prominent members of Ahl al-Bayt. The Prophet celebrated his birth with extreme joy and sacrificed a ram on this occasion.

He is remembered in the history of Islam as a symbol of bravery and courage when he embraced martyrdom at Karbala, by sacrificing his life in the way of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and for the revival of Islam. He also holds the most revered status of being the third Imam, in Shia Islam, the first and second Imams being his father Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُand his elder brother Hazrat Hassan رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُٰ, respectively. The lineage of Twelver Shia Imamate also descends from him; his son Ali Ibn Hussain Al-Sajjad, popularly remembered as Zayn ul Abidin, is the fourth Imam. Hence, the birth of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ holds quite a significant place in the history of Islam, in many ways.   

Birth Details

• Date of Birth – 4^th Sha’ban 4 AH, corresponding to 11^th January, 626 CE.
• Place of Birth – He was born in Medina, present-day Saudi Arabia
• Parents – Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا.
• Grandfather – The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was his grandfather. The Prophet himself recited Adhan in his ear. The name “Hussain” was also given by the Prophet.

Early Life and Relationship with the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ

Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ lived his early childhood in the household of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. The Prophet's love for both his grandsons, Hazrat Hassan and Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا, was exemplary. He would often carry both of them on his shoulders, play with them, and kiss them on their belly. The Prophet used to pray for their well-being. The Prophet passed away, while Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was still a young boy of around six years. Despite that, the guidance and learning he gained from the Prophet left an everlasting impact on his life, marked by piety, patience, and willingness to sacrifice for justice. In fact, the training and learning he acquired from the Prophet in his youth shaped his future life.  

Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ also accompanied the Prophet, as his family, on the historic occasion of Mubahala (Mutual Cursing), in the year 631/632 CE. The Prophet’s family, which appeared for Mubahala, comprised himself, his daughter, Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, his son-in-law Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, and both his grandsons Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا. This particular event reveals and establishes the status and composition of Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s family), as also narrated in the 61^st verse of Surah Aal-e-Imran.

Significance of His Birth

The birth of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was an event of extreme joy, happiness, and blessings, not only for the Prophet's household but for the entire Muslim Ummah, as the lineage of the Prophet's family (Ahl al-Bayt) would be continuing through him. In this context, his birth carries immense significance in the history of Islam, as well as in the continuation of the Prophet's family lineage. Additionally, in the context of Shia Islam, he was the third Imam, after the Imamate of his father and elder son. More significantly, the Shia Imamate would also continue through his family lineage.

The status of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is also reflected in Hadith 3768 of Jami At-Tirmidhi, where the Prophet said that both Hassan and Hussain are the leaders of the youths of Paradise.

Having been raised under the direct patronage and guidance of the Prophet, the future life of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was shaped in a manner that became a role model and beacon of light for the coming generations. It was a model of truthfulness and righteousness. His life was a paradigm and guiding principle for courage and sacrifice for the cause of Islam. His principal stand, during and before the Battle of Karbala, is a model of firm commitment to righteousness, justice, and sacrifice.

Character and Virtues

Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is one of the most revered personalities among both the Sunni and Shia Muslims. He is remembered for his unwavering faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and firm commitment to the cause of Islam. He is also known for his humility and compassion for the poor and oppressed. His life is characterized by his firm stance, based on the highest moral grounds, as taught by his grandfather, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.

The most virtuous part of his life was his commitment to truth and justice, based on the Islamic teachings. In this context, his role had been a remarkable chapter of Islamic history, when he outrightly refused to pledge allegiance to the caliphate of Yazid, which was seen as a regime of tyranny and falsehood. Although, as a result of this, he lost his life and embraced martyrdom at Karbala, he remained persistent in his principal stance that the caliphate of Yazid was illegitimate and was based on a clear violation of the Islamic teachings.

One of his core characteristics is marked by his deep patience (Sabr) in the most testing circumstances. During a phase of extreme tests and trials, he emerged as a model of patience. He faced the most difficult times with dignity, while remaining calm and displaying extreme reliance on Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.

His character and virtues can be summarized as follows:

• He was a model of bravery, courage, compassion, and humility.
• He exhibited complete submission and devotion to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ during the extreme testing times in his life.
• His life symbolizes the true spirit of Islam, which is reflected in his actions and deeds throughout his life, as well as in his martyrdom.
• He is remembered for sacrificing his life in the Battle of Karbala, while standing firm on his commitment to truth and justice and not submitting to falsehood and injustice.

Legacy and Remembrance

• The birth of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is observed across the Muslim World, in his remembrance as a model of patience, humility, and sacrifice. The day is commemorated as a time of reflection and gratefulness.
• The way he sacrificed his life in the Battle of Karbala was exemplary. The day is remembered for his unwavering commitment to stand for the truth and justice, even at the cost of his life.
• His deeds and character during the most difficult and testing time of his life continue to inspire the coming generations in their faith and moral integrity. It continues to inspire Muslims across the world not to submit to the falsehood, even under the most compelling circumstances.
• Although the day of his martyrdom is observed as a day of mourning in most parts of the Islamic World, it also remains a source of encouragement for them to follow his footsteps to live life with dignity.

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