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Chapter 4: Christians Who Died Defending The Ahl Ul-Bayt

Chapter 4: Christians Who Died Defending the Ahl ul Bayt (Family of Muhammad)

The Christian Monk At The Battle Of Siffin

When the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali (‘a) headed toward Siffin, a terrible thirst came on his followers. The water with them had been used up. They began to search for water to right and left but they did not find any trace of it. The Imam Ali (‘a) turned off the main road with them and went a little way. A hermitage appeared before them in the middle of the desert. He went with them towards it. When he reached its courtyard, he ordered those (with him) to call for its occupant to come before them. They called him and he came.

Then Imam Ali (‘a) asked him: “Is this residence of yours near water, which will quench the thirst of these people?”

“There is more than six miles between me and water,” he answered.

“There is no water nearer than that to me. If it was not for the fact that I am brought enough water for each month to sustain me, I would be destroyed by thirst.”

“Did you hear what the monk said?” Imam Ali (‘a) asked.

“Yes,” they answered. “Order us to go to the place which he indicated. Perhaps we will reach water while we still have strength.”

“There is no need for you to do that,” Imam Ali (‘a) told them. He turned the neck of his mule in the direction of the Qibla (i.e. towards Mecca) and he directed them to a place near the hermitage.

“Uncover the ground in this place,” he ordered them.

A group of them went straight to the place and uncovered it with iron shovels. A great shiny rock appeared. They said: “Commander of the faithful, here is a great rock on which the shovels are useless.”

“This rock is over water,” he told them. “If it moves from its position, you will find the water.”

They struggled to remove it. All the people gathered together and tried to move it but they could find no way to do that. It was too difficult for them. When he, peace be upon him, saw that they had gathered together and striven to remove the rock but it was too difficult for them, he put his leg over his saddle until it reached the ground. Then he rolled up his sleeves. He put his fingers under the side of the rock and he moved it.

He removed it with his hand and pushed it many yards away. When it had moved from its position, the white (glitter) of water appeared before them. They hurried to it and drank from it. It was the sweetest, coldest and purest water that they had ever drunk from on their journey.

“Get supplies and quench your thirst,” he told them.

They did that. Then he went to the rock and took it with his hand and put it back where it had been. He ordered that its traces be removed with earth. The hermit had been watching from on top of his hermitage. When he realized what had happened, he called out: “People, help me down, help me down.”

They helped him to get down. He stood in front of the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali (‘a) and said: “Man, are you a Prophet sent by God?”

“No,” he replied.

“Then are you an angel who is close to God?” he asked.

“No,” was the answer.

“Then who are you?” asked (the hermit).

“I am the testamentary trustee of the Apostle of God, Muhammad b. 'Abd Allah, the seal of the Prophets, may God bless him and his family,” he replied.

“Stretch out your hand,” said the hermit, so that I may submit to God, the Blessed and Exalted, at your hands.

Imam Ali (‘a) stretched out his hand and told him: “Make the twofold testimony.”

He said: “I testify that there is no god but God alone without any partner. I testify that Muhammad (S) is His servant and His Apostle. I testify that you are the testamentary trustee of the Apostle of God (S), the one with most right among the people to authority after him.”

Imam Ali (‘a) made him understand the conditions of being a Muslim and then asked him: “What is it that has prompted you to enter Islam after your long residence in this hermitage in opposition to it?”

“I will tell you, Commander of the faithful,” he said. – “This hermitage was built to seek out the one who would remove that rock and then water would come from underneath it. Scholars before me died and they did not attain that (knowledge) but God, the Mighty and High, has provided me with it. We find in one of our books and a prose writer of our scholars that in this land there is a spring with a rock over it. No one knows its place except a Prophet or the testamentary trustee of a Prophet. He must be a friend of God who calls (men) to truth, whose sign is the knowledge of the place of this rock and his ability to remove it. When I saw you do that, I realized what we had been waiting for. The object of desire had been attained. Today I am a Muslim (converted) at your hands, a believer in your right and your servant.”

When he heard that, Imam Ali (‘a) wept until his beard became moist with tears. He said: “Praise be to God, by Whom I have not been forgotten. Praise be to God in Whose books I have been mentioned.”

Then he summoned the people and told them: “Listen to what your brother Muslim says.”

They listened to his words. Then they gave much praise to God and thanks for the blessing, which he had bestowed upon them in giving them knowledge of the right of the Commander of the faithful, peace be upon him.

Then they went on and the hermit went before him amid a group of his followers until he met the Syrians. The hermit was among a group of those who were martyred there. He, peace be upon him, carried out the prayer over him. He buried him and sought much forgiveness for him. Whenever he was mentioned, Imam Ali (‘a) would say: “That was my servant.”

In this report there are (several) kinds of miracles. One of them is knowledge of the unknown, a second is the strength by which normal human capabilities were transcended, and (another) is the distinction of Imam Ali (‘a) from other men through the confirmation of the message about him in the first Books of God. This is validated by the words of God, the Exalted: That is their example in the Torah and their example in the Gospels.

Al-Sayyid Isma'il b. Muhammad al-Himyari, may God have mercy on him, speaks of the same thing in his glorious golden Code: During his journey, he went by night after the evening prayer to Karbala' in a procession.

Until he came to one who devoted himself to God on a piece of raised ground. He made his camp on inhospitable land.

“O wilderness, it is not (a place) where he meets a living soul

other than the wild animals and the balding white-haired man” (i.e. Imam Ali ‘a).

He approaches and cries out at it. (The Holy man) looks down as he stands, like the defender (looks down) over his bow from a watchtower.

Is there water, which can be attained near the position which you have settled at. He answers: There is nothing to drink, except at a distance of six miles and the water I have with me (here) between the sandy hill and the vast desert.

He turns the reins towards the flat ground. He uncovers a smooth rock that shines like golden leaf-paste for camels.

He says: Turn it around. If you turn it around, you will see. You will not see if it is not turned around.

They came together to remove it. It was impossible for them. It was an impossible task, which could not have been performed.

When it had weakened them, he stretched a hand towards it when the conqueror comes it is conquered.

It was as if it was a ball of fallen cotton in a skein, which he pushed in a playground.

He gave them sweet delicious water to drink from under it, which was better than the most delicious, the sweetest.

Then when they had all drunk, he put it back and went away. Its position is left alone. It cannot be approached.

Ibn Maymun added these words concerning that:

The signs for the monk were a miraculous secret there and he believed in the noble born testamentary trustee of authority (Wasi). He died a martyr, truthful in his statement of support, most noble of monks who have become fearful of God.

I mean that the son of Fatimah (‘a) is the testamentary trustee of authority. Whoever declares (their belief in) his outstanding merit and his (illustrious) actions does not lie.

He is a man both of whose sides are (descended) from Shem, without any father from Ham, nor a father of a father.

He is one who does not flee and in battle only the striking of his sword dyed red (with blood) can be seen.1

Jaun Bin Huwai The Freed Slave Of Abu Dharr

Another martyr to be mentioned here, who was also a Christian, is Jaun a slave of Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (ra) the great companion of the Prophet (S).

He had been in the service of Abu Dharr (ra) for many years and although he was a very old man (according to some accounts 90 years old) he fought Imam Husayn’s (‘a) enemies until he was martyred.2

Among those who were martyred at Karbala’ were sixteen slaves or freed slaves. Most of them were from Abyssinia, the present-day Ethiopia. Some of them belonged to Imam Husayn's family and others to the companions of Imam who remained with him.

On the night before Ashura Imam (‘a) and the companions freed all their slaves and urged them to go away and seek their safety, but these sixteen would not leave. Amongst them was an Abyssinian called Jaun bin Huwai.

Imam Ali (‘a) had given Jaun to Abu Dharr Ghiffari (ra), Abu Dharr (ra) freed him, but Jaun stayed on with Abu Dharr (ra) as a companion. When Abu Dharr (ra) was exiled from Madina by Uthman the third Caliph, Jaun went back to Imam Ali (‘a) who invited him to stay on as his companion. In the company of Imam Ali (‘a) he learnt the interpretation of Qur’an and the traditions of the Holy Prophet (S). He also knew the Holy Qur’an by heart. When Imam Ali (‘a) was martyred Jaun stayed with Imam Hasan (‘a) and after Imam Hasan’s martyrdom (‘a) he moved in with Imam Husayn (‘a) When Imam Husayn (‘a) left Madina Jaun insisted on accompanying him.

At Karbala’ Jaun was always seen at the side of Imam Husayn (‘a). He was an old man, dark skin with grey curly hair. Because of his profound knowledge and pleasant manners, he was greatly respected by all.

Jaun spent the whole night of Ashura sharpening his sword. On the following day he helped in repelling the first two attacks from Yazid's army. At midday, after the Zuhr prayers, Jaun came to the Imam, and stood silently with his arms folded. It was his habit never to speak in the presence of the Imam (‘a) until spoken to.

Imam Husayn (‘a) looked at Jaun and said, “Jaun, I know you have come for my permission to go in to the battle-field. You have been a good and trusted friend. I will not deny you martyrdom for Islam. Go, God be with you!” Jaun smiled happily. He faced the enemy and recited a poem, which said: “I am a soul willing to die for God and have a sword thirsty of the blood of the enemies of God. Before I die I shall fight the enemies of God with my sword and my tongue, and thus shall I serve the grand-son of the Holy Prophet (S).”

Jaun fought courageously, all the time reciting the poem. He received several mortal blows but his recitation of the poem continued.

Jaun fell from his horse; he still continued to fight with his tongue by reciting the poem. And then a few horsemen moved to where he laid. Jaun, the Abyssinian, was silenced.3

Wahab Ibn Abdullah Al-Kalbi

This is the story of a young bride and a young bridegroom who were at Karbala. They had been married only two months. The bridegroom was his mother’s only child.

After his marriage the mother decided to go for the pilgrimage (Hajj) and take the son and his bride with her. They left Kufah for Mecca in the month of Shawaal.

On their way back, they found Kufah sealed off. At the border the mother asked why Kufah had been placed under such a strict blockade. She was told that a rebel group was camped at Karbala’ and that Kufah was sealed off to protect the city and its inhabitants from an attack by the rebels. She asked who the rebels were. She was told the leader was Husayn Ibn Ali Ibn Abu Talib (‘a).

On hearing the name, the lady almost fainted. This lady was the widow of Abdullah Al-Kalbi and her son, the newlywed bridegroom, was Wahab Bin Abdullah Al-Kalbi.

His father was a companion of Imam Ali (‘a). In 40 Hijrah when Abdullah Al-Kalbi's wife was pregnant she became very ill. Abdullah Al-Kalbi went to Imam Ali (‘a) and said: “My wife and I have been childless for so long. Now that she is expecting a baby, she is so ill that I may lose her. Please Mawla (leader), pray for her.” Imam Ali (‘a) prayed, and Abdullah Al-Kalbi's wife recovered. Same year Imam Ali (‘a) was martyred. A few months later Wahab was born. Two years later his father died. The widow had brought up her son with great love.

Now she heard the son of Ali (‘a) was being accused of wanting to attack Kufah and kill the people there. She refused to believe it. She said to her son, “Wahab, I must go and find out what is happening.” Wahab said, “Mother, I too would like to come.” The three arrived in Karbala’ on the 7th of Muharram.4

On learning the true situation Wahab decided to stay on with Imam Husayn and fight for him. When he told his mother of his decision, she said “I am the proudest mother in Iraq.”

Wahab bin Abdullah bin Habbab Kalbi came out into the battlefield. His mother too was accompanying him on that day, who told him, "Arise O son! And defend the grandson of the Prophet of God (S)." Wahab replied, "Verily I shall not act miserly." Thus, he came out into the battlefield while saying: "If you do not know me, I am from the Tribe of Kalb, very soon you will see me and my sword, and will behold my attack and influence in the battle, I will seek my revenge after the revenge of my companions, and I will ward off grief and affliction before my grief, to fight me in the battlefield is not a joke."

He attacked the Yazid’s army and killed a group among them one after another. Then he returned back to his mother and wife and stood facing them and said, "O mother! Are you pleased now"? She replied, "I shall not be pleased until you attain martyrdom in the presence of Imam Husayn (‘a)."

Then his wife said, "I request you in the name of God not to bereave me."

Hearing this, his mother said, "O dear son! Do not accept what she says, go and fight in the way of the grandson of the Prophet (S), so that he may intercede for you on the Day of Qiyamah (resurrection)."

Wahab returned back saying: "I swear to you, O my mother, to strike them with spears and sword, similar to the swordsmanship of a youth who believes in the Almighty, so as to give a taste of the bitter battle to this nation, I am valorous and a youth possessing a clear-cut sword, I am not fearful during battle, God, the Wise, is sufficient for me."

Then he laid siege until he had killed nineteen horsemen and twelve foot-soldiers. Both his hands were severed, seeing this, his mother lifted a peg of the tent and ran towards him saying, "May my parents be your ransom! Strive in the way of the Household of the Prophet (S) of God." Wahab proceeded further so as to return her back to the tents, when she caught hold of his shirt and said, "I shall not return back until I am killed along with you." When Imam Husayn (‘a) saw this, and said:

"May God reward you favorably due to the right of my family! Return back to the ladies, may God have mercy upon you."

Hearing this, the woman returned back and Wahab fought until he was martyred (May God's Mercy and Blessings be upon him).

It is stated in Rawzat ul-Wa'ezeen and Amali of Shaikh Sadooq, that formerly, Wahab and his mother were Christians, and they had accepted Islam at the hands of Imam Husayn (‘a). They accompanied the Imam (‘a) to Karbala, and on the day of Ashura, Wahab mounted his horse, while a peg of the tent was in his hands. He fought until he had killed seven or eight men among the enemies. Then he was arrested and taken to Umar bin Sa'ad, who ordered him to be beheaded.

Allamah Majlisi says, that he saw in a narration that Wahab was formerly a Christian, then he along with his mother accepted Islam at the hands of Imam Husayn (‘a). When he entered the battlefield, he put to sword twenty-four-foot soldiers and twelve horsemen. Then he was arrested and brought to Umar bin Sa'ad who told him,

"What a marvelous valor you possess."

Then he ordered him to be beheaded. He was beheaded and his head was thrown towards the tents of Imam Husayn (‘a).

His mother lifted his head up and kissed it, then she threw it towards the army of Umar bin Sa'ad, which hit a man and killed him. Then she lifted up a peg of the tents and killed two others until Imam Husayn (‘a) saw her and said,

"O mother of Wahab! Return back. You and your son will be along with the Prophet (S) of God, while Jihad is lifted off from the women."

Hearing this she returned back saying, "O Lord! Do not disappoint me." Imam (‘a) told her,

"May your Lord not disappoint you, O mother of Wahab"!5

On the day of Ashura, Wahab fought for Imam Husayn (‘a). When he was killed the mother and the bride were standing at the gate of the camp. Their faces were radiant with pride. Umar Sa'ad ordered Wahab's head to be cut off from the body. He threw the head at Wahab's mother. She picked it up, kissed it and threw it back at Umar Ibn Sa'ad saying, “What we have sacrificed for our Imam (‘a) and for Islam we do not take back. I am sorry I have one son only. If I had twenty, they all would have fought Yazid today.”

Then she went into the camp, and took the young bride in her arms. Just then, the tent's curtain lifted and Bibi Zainab (‘a) came in.

She embraced them both and offered her condolences saying: “May God grant you patience to bear Wahab's loss!!6

The wife of Wahab came and sat at his head and started wiping the blood from the face of her husband. When Shimr saw her, he commanded his retainer to strike her with his club. He did so and she was the first woman to attain martyrdom in the ranks of Imam Husayn (‘a) (May God's Mercy and Blessings be upon her).

The Christian Monk On The Journey From Karbala To Damascus

One night they rested in the mountaintop of a hermitage of a monk who had devoted his life to prayers and meditation. Shimr gave the heads of the martyrs to him for safekeeping. Just one look at the face of Imam Husayn (‘a) convinced the hermit that it was the head of a saint. He took it with him and kept it near his bed and then retired to sleep.

At night, he dreamt that all the Prophets and angels had descended from heaven to keep watch over the head. He woke up from his sleep startled and baffled as to what he should do. He decided to ask the leader of the guards about the identity of the people whom they had beheaded and whose family they had taken as prisoners.

Rushing out of the monastery he woke up Shimr and demanded to know who the martyrs were. When Shimr told him that, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (S) who had defied the authority of the ruler Yazid ibn Muawiya and refused to acknowledge his spiritual superiority had been killed by the army of Yazid and they were carrying the heads of all the people who had been killed in Karbala, the hermit was shocked beyond words.

Recovering himself he said “You cursed people! Do you realize that you have committed the most heinous crime by beheading your own Prophet (S)’s grandson who undoubtedly was a great saint! Fie upon you coward that not satisfied with what you have done that you are so brutally treating his innocent ladies and children and subjecting them to such atrocities!” 7

He asked to kiss the head but they refused till he paid them some money. He declared the testimony of faith and embraced Islam through the blessing of the one who was just beheaded for supporting the divine call.8

These words of the hermit enraged Shimr who had even otherwise lost his temper with him for waking him up from sleep in the dead of night. With one sweep of his sword, he chopped off the hermit’s head. This brute had little regard for the Prophet (S)’s injunctions and orders granting the fullest protection to those who had retired from the world and dedicated their lives to prayers and penance.

When the life of the Prophet (S)’s own grandson was not spared by this brute what regard could he be expected to have for the commands of the Prophet (S)?9

When they left that place, they looked at the money the monk had given them and saw this verse inscribed on it “And those who oppressed shall come to find how evil their end shall be.”10

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