Water banned on Hazrat Hussain (RA) in Karbala

Jul 14

Water banned on Hazrat Hussain (RA) in Karbala

Sunday 7 Moharram, 1446

What Happened at Karbala?

Karbala is situated in present-day Iraq and is the second-largest city in central Iraq, after Baghdad. It was the place where the most tragic incident of Islamic history, known as the Battle of Karbala (مَعْرَكَة كَرْبَلَاء), happened. The battle of Karbala was fought on the 10th of Moharram, 61 AH (10 October 680 CE). A small group of around 72, including women and children, led by Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, the Grandson of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, fought a huge army of more than 4,000 soldiers, sent by the then Umayyad ruler, Yazid I. Some traditions report that Yazid’s army comprised around 30,000 men.

It was not just a conflict between two groups of people; it was the battle between Truth and Falsehood. It stands as a symbol of sacrifice on the Path of Justice, as well as an emblem of resistance against Tyranny.

After the martyrdom of the fourth Rashidun Caliph, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, his elder son Hazrat Hassan رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was chosen as the next Caliph. However, he stepped down after 6 months, just to avoid deadly conflict and bloodshed within the Muslim community, after signing a peace treaty with his rival Mu'awiya I, the founder of the Umayyad Caliphate. The most important term of this treaty was that Mu'awiya would be a just ruler and would not create his Dynasty, meaning that he would not nominate his son as the next caliph.

Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ honored this treaty even after the death of his elder brother Hazrat Hassan رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. However, Mu’awiya breached this treaty and nominated his son Yazid as his successor. Yazid assumed the title of Caliph, as the second Umayyad ruler, after the death of his father. He ventured to obtain allegiance from the then-notables, including Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, but he refused to do so. The conflict deepened, and Yazid ordered his men to obtain allegiance from Hazart Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ by force.

Foreseeing the situation, Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ went to Mecca. Meanwhile, the people of Kufa (a city in Iraq) wrote letters to him, requesting that he join them to fight against the tyranny of Yazid. So, he decided to travel to Kufa, along with his companions and family. While on his way, he was intercepted by Yazid's men, short of Kufa, near the plains of the desert of Karbala. It was the 2nd of Moharram. He was forced to stay there.

Soon, a huge army of Yazid also arrived there. Yazid’s men started negotiations with Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ to obtain his allegiance for Yazid, but he refused to do so. Meanwhile, they blocked Hazrat Hussain's access to the River Euphrates, known as the River Alqama at that time. So, Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his companions and family were deprived of water.

Finally, a battle started on the 10th of Moharram 61 AH, between the small group of companions and the family of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and the army of Yazid. Around 70 out of 72 of his group were martyred. The martyrs of Karbala included even the children, Ali Asghar, a six-month-old son of Hazrat Hussain, being one of them. It reflects the cruelty of Yazid’s men. Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ fought till the end, with extreme bravery, and finally embraced martyrdom. The remaining members of his family, including women and children, were taken into prison and sent to Yazid's court.

When was Water Banned?

Although all the incidents, occurred at Karbala are highly tragic but the height of brutality and oppression of Yazid’s army was the event of banning water on Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. The only source of water in the plains of Karbala was the River Euphrates (also known as the River Alqama). On the 7th of Moharram 61 AH, they blocked the access of Hazrat Hussain’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ people to this single source of water. The traditions report that around 500 men were deputed to block the path to the river Euphrates.

The then Umayyad Governor of Kufa, Ubaydullah Ibn Ziyad, ordered this blockade, specifically advising his men to ensure that Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ should not get even a drop of water. So, practically the companions and family of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ suffered from extreme thirst in the scorching heat of the desert of Karbala, continuously for three days, starting from the 7th of Moharram. Even the children and women did not get water during this period.

Despite all negotiations, the blockade of water was not lifted by them. Meanwhile, Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, brother of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was sent to negotiate with them for access to water. Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was also the Standard Bearer of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. He held talks with Hurr Al-Riyahi for water, but he refused.

Although he later changed sides and joined Hazrat Hussain’s group, he too was unable to allow access to water. Somehow, Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ managed to fetch water from the river Euphrates while fighting through the enemy lines. It happened on the 10th of Moharram. After getting water from the river, he was brutally martyred, while on his way back to Hazrat Hussain’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ Camp. First, both of his arms were cut, and then he was martyred. He is also referred to as the “Water Bearer” after this sacrifice.

Why Was Water Denied?

While the act of banning water on Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was a part of the overall strategy of Yazid's forces, it also seems to have some specific motives, such as:

  • As part of a military strategy, water was banned to demoralize and weaken Hazrat Hussain’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ companion and family. However, it did not happen and they stood firm on their mission.
  • It is also seen as a part of psychological warfare. The aim was to force them to surrender by weakening their determination. 
  • It was also aimed at conveying a clear but brutal message by Yazid’s army that there is no mercy in their books, not even for the women and kids.
  • It was a clear violation of humanitarian and ethical norms, as well as the denial of basic Islamic principles.

Despite being the most heart-wrenching part of the events at Karbala, water banning could not shake the patience (sabr) and commitment of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his companions and family.

Impact of the Water Ban

The act of denying access to water for Hazrat Hussain’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ companion was the most brutal and unjust event at Karbala. It was a clear violation of humanitarian norms and principles of justice. The impact of this ban was quite significant, including:

  1. Physical and mental sufferings by the companions and family of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, including women and infants like Ali Asghar, his 6-month-old son.
  2. The scorching heat of the desert of Karbala also added to the physical sufferings of the men, women, and children.
  3. Extreme thirst also impacted the physical strength of the fighters.
  4. It was also a sort of psychological and mental torture for the men, especially while hearing the cries of the infants due to extreme thirst.
  5. Brother of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, Abbas was brutally martyred on his back after fetching water.
  6. It is remembered as an act of inhumanity and tyranny, which reflected in the public outrage and rebellious movements against Yazid's regime.
  7. This brutal and cruelest behavior was condemned and is still being condemned across the Muslim world, irrespective of any other considerations.
  8. It symbolizes the sacrifice, moral courage, and resistance.

Significance in Islamic History

The cruel act of Yazid's men in denying access to the river Euphrates is remembered as the most heartbreaking event at Karbala. It is a highly significant event in the history of Islam, the impact of which was not restricted just to the Battle of Karbala. Its impact is still reflected in the moral conscience and collective memory of the entire Muslim world. It has become a central part of the religious commemorations of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram).

This event has left a deep impact on Islamic history:

  • It is viewed as a violation of human rights, as access to water is recognized as a fundamental right for everyone.
  • It is seen as a symbol of oppression, tyranny, and injustice. On the other hand, the resistance and patience of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his companions and family are remembered as a symbol of sacrifice.
  • Muslims pay tributes to the martyrs of Karbala by arranging an ample supply of drinking water on the 10th of Moharram, while commemorating this most tragic incident in the history of Islam.
  • Remembering this most cruel act of Yazid and the patience of Hazrat Hussain's companions is a source of inspiration to stand firm against injustice and oppression.  

FAQs:

This was done to demoralize the companions of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and force them to submit before Yazid. It was also aimed at torturing them physically and mentally.

The water ban started on the 7th of Moharram and lasted till the end of the battle on the 10th of Moharram. So, they remained without water for three days in the scorching heat of the desert of Karbala.

The water ban was imposed by Ubaydullah Ibn Ziyad, who was the Umayyad Governor of Kufa at that time.

The most significant consequence of this cruelty on the Day of Ashura was the martyrdom of Hazrat Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, brother and standard bearer of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. He was returning after fetching water from the river Euphrates when he was brutally martyred. Another significant casualty on that day was the martyrdom of Ali Asghar, a 6-month-old son of Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ.

The act of banning water on Hazrat Hussain رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is the most heart-wrenching event at Karbala. It is remembered as an act of clear violations of all humanitarian norms. It is also against the teachings and principles of Islam. It violates the principle of fundamental human rights. Most importantly, it resulted in extreme thirst in men, women, and even infants, like Ali Asghar. All these facts have made this event a crucial part of Islamic history; hence, it has been remembered since then. It holds a deep impact on the religious and spiritual rituals, especially among the Shia Muslims.