THE STORY OF KARBALA - PART 8/01

THE MARTYRDOM OF AWN AND MUHAMMAD (ZAYNAB.s TWO SONS) AND OF QASIM IBN HASAN

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Zaynab, Husayn's sister, now exhorted her two sons Awn and Muhammad, to go and fight. They were the sons of Abdullah Ibn Jafar. While Awn was Zaynab's own son, Muhammad was her step-son. When Husayn tried to stop them, Zaynab explained that it was their father's express wish that they would be sacrificed for Islam, if such a situation did arise.

Both brothers went and fought bravely and were killed. It is reported that when Husayn brought their remains back to his camp Zaynab neither lamented nor wept. Although, she had wept and lamented for Husayn's son Ali Akbar.

Among the Hashimi young men was Husayn's fourteen-year old nephew, Qasim Ibn Hasan. He now approached his uncle and wanted to go and fight. Husayn looked at him and said: 'When I wanted to see my brother, Hasan, I would look at your face. Your presence gave me support and satisfaction.

How could I let you go and get killed ? Besides, you are so young.' Qasim was disappointed. He went away and sat in a corner thinking. Suddenly he remembered something. His father, Hasan, had left a will for him which was tied on to his arm as an amulet. His father had said to him while dying: 'When you find yourself in great distress, open this amulet and read it.' Qasim opened the amulet and read it.

It said: 'My son ! There would come a time when my brother would be deserted by all his friends. But he would be on the right path. He would be surrounded by blood-thirsty enemies. I would be long gone then.

When that happens, I urge you to help my brother and sacrifice your life in my place, protecting him and his mission. This is my last will for you.'

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