Misbah-uz-Zulam, Roots of the Karbala’ Tragedy

Husayn’s Side

  1. Imam Husayn (a.s.), the chief of the martyrs.

  2. Muslim, paternal cousin of Imam Husayn (a.s.).

  3. Aun and Muhammad, sons of Zainab binte Ali (a.s.).

  4. Imam Zainul Aabideen (a.s.).

  5. His Eminence, Ali Akbar who was brought up by Lady Zainab (S).

  6. Ali Asghar, the six-month infant of Imam Husayn (a.s.).

  7. Lady Zainab and Umme Kulthum, daughters of Ali (a.s.) and Fatima (s.a.) who loved Imam Husayn (a.s.) greatly.

  8. Fatima Sughra, the younger daughter of Imam Husayn (a.s.) whom the Imam (a.s.) had left in Medina because she was unwell.

  9. Fatima Kubra, who had come to Karbala’ with Imam Husayn (a.s.).

  10. Sakina, another daughter of Imam Husayn (a.s.).

  11. Lady Laila and Umme Rabab, the respected wives of Imam Husayn (a.s.).

  12. Qasim Ibn Hasan.

  13. Abbas Ibn Ali, standard bearer of Imam Husayn’s army, who was the half brother of Imam Husayn (a.s.), but was greatly devoted to the Imam (a.s.). He had no equal in his sincerity and sacrifice.

  14. Hurr who was previously the commander of Yazeed’s forces, left them and joined the ranks of Imam (a.s.) and achieved the wealth of martyrdom.

  15. Habib Ibn Mazahir, who was the childhood friend of Imam Husayn (a.s.). He was martyred in Karbala’ while he was of an advanced age.

  16. Fizza, the maidservant of Lady Fatima (s.a.); after whose martyrdom she continued in the service of Lady Zainab.

  17. Hind, the wife of Yazeed and who was devoted to the prophet’s family. She had no information of the tragedy of Karbala’ but when the prisoners were brought to Damascus she came to meet them in prison. It is not inappropriate to include her among the partisans of Husayn (a.s.).

  18. Wahab Ibn Abdullah Kalbi and Zohair Qayn.

These exalted personalities are mentioned in the elegies (Marsiya).