Hazrat Ali Asghar (as) - The youngest martyr of Karbala

Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) - the youngest child of Hazrat Imam Hussain bin Ali ibne Abi Talib (AS) and Hazrat Rubab (AS), the daughter of the chief of the tribe of Kinda Imraul Qays – was born on Rajab 9 in the holy city of Medinah only some days before Imam Hussain (AS) left Madinah.

Six-month old Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS), the beloved brother of Hazrat Sakinah bintul Hussain (AS) about whom a saying of Imam Hussain (AS) goes that I do not like the place where Sakinah (AS) is not present, has the honour of being the youngest martyr of Karbala.

On Ashur day when all companions of Imam Hussain (AS) were martyred in the desert of Karbala, Imam raised the voice of Isteghasa “Hal min nasiro yansorona”. Responding to the voice, Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) make himself fell on the ground from the cradle. Hazrat Rubab (AS) told imam (AS) what had happened as he raised his voice of Isteghasa. So Imam (AS) lifted the infant son from the cradle, took him on his hands with cover on Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) towards the Yazeedi army. As Imam Hussain (AS) reached the battlefield with covered Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS), the army considered that Imam Hussain (AS) has brought Holy Quran.

Walking up to Yazeedi army, Imam Hussain (AS) said, while uncovering the infant: “This child has done you no harm; he is dying of thirst; I am asking for a few drops of water for him.” There was stillness in the Yazeedi army. Imam in a clear voice said to Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS): “Asghar! My son, show them how thirsty you are!” Asghar turned his head towards the soldiers; smiled sweetly; opened his mouth; brought out his dry tongue and moved it over his dry lips. The soldiers were so affected by this that they could be heard sobbing.

Umar Sa'ad (curse of Allah be upon him) became much worried. It seemed that Imam Hussain (AS)’s 6-month old Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) was emerging victorious against the might of Yazeed (curse of Allah be upon him). Umar Sa'ad (curse of Allah be upon him) looked at Hurmala - a famous archer - and ordered: “Silence Hussain!”

Then at once, Hurmala (curse of Allah be upon him), lifting his bow made 6-month Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) the target of an arrow, which pierced the innocent infant's neck. Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) smiled and kissed martyrdom while still in the hands of his father Imam Hussain (AS).

Imam Hussain (AS) caught the blood of Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS) in the palm of his hands and wanted to throw it on the sky; at once a heavenly voice came: “Hussain don’t throw it towards sky otherwise it will not rain for ever till the Day of Judgment.” Then Imam Hussain (AS) wanted to pour it on the earth but suddenly a heavenly voice came: “Hussain don’t pour it on the earth otherwise nothing will grow on the earth till the day of resurrection.” So Imam Hussain (AS) applied the blood on his face.

Imam (AS) looking at the sky and prayed “O Allah, give me courage in this most difficult moment of my life. No Prophet ever was subjected to a test as severe as this.” Then Imam (AS) walked towards the tent of Hazrat Rubab (AS). As he approached near he saw her standing at the entrance to her tent with anxiety, the hope, the fear and the restlessness in her eyes. Imam (AS) took seven steps back the tent saying “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajeoon”. He again took seven steps forwards saying “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajeoon”. Once again he walked backwards repeating the same ayah. Imam Hussain (AS) did this seven times. At last, Imam went to Hazrat Rubab (AS) with martyred infant and said: “Rubab! This is a test from Allah, which no mother has ever been asked to go through.”

Hazrat Ali Asghar (AS)’s holy grave is in the holy city of Karbala.