7th Muharram

7th Muharram : HAZRAT QASIM (a.s)

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Tonight is the night of 7th Moharram.

Our Moharram majaalis continues. We shall shed more tears for Karbala. We will continue our matam. Bibi Fatima(s.a) is watching all of us. Everyone will be rewarded on the Day of Judgement.

Our tears, our matam, for Hussain (a.s) will not be wasted. Hussain (a.s) will reward us. Bibi Fatima(s.a) will protect us. Allah will be pleased with us.

Hussain (a.s), his companions and his family are in Karbala.

The 7th of Moharram is a very tragic day in the event of Karbala.

On this day, water was stopped from reaching Hussain (a.s)'s camp. It was very hot in Karbala. As the days went by, the children became very thirsty.

The cry of, "AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH! AL-ATASH!" became more frequent.

Tonight is the night of SHAH QASIM(AS), the 13 year old son of Imam Hassan(AS) and Umme Farwah(SA).

Ashura came to the land of Karbala.

Ali Akber(AS) gave the Fajr Adhan. Everyone prayed the Fajr Namaaz.

One-by-one Hussain (a.s)'s companions went to the battlefield and gave their life for Islam. They all became MARTYRS! SHAHEED! SHAHEED-E- Karbala!

By Zuhr time, Imam Hussain (a.s) was left with only his family, Auno-Mohammed(AS). Qasim(AS), Ali Akber(AS) and Abbas(AS).

The companions of Imam Hussain (a.s) whilst they were alive did not let Imam Hussain (a.s)'s family go to the battlefield.

No one was left now.

Auno - Mohammed were keen to help their uncle save Islam. They went to the battlefield and never returned.

Qasim (AS)took permission from his mother, Umme Farwah, to fight.

Then he went to his uncle, Hussain (a.s) to ask for his permission to fight.

How can Hussain (a.s) give permission to his brother's son to die? How can he allow a young child to die?

"Qasim(AS), you are young. You are the only child of your mother. Qasim, you are my brother's son. I have promised my brother to look after you. My darling Qasim, you are the image of my brother. You remind me of Hassan. No, Qasim, no. I cannot allow you to die."

Qasim(AS) was very disappointed. He went to his mother for help. His mother reminded him of the taveez his father had tied to his arm.

Qasim opened the taveez, and placed inside found a letter for Hussain (a.s). Qasim was pleased to see the letter. He took the letter to his uncle, Hussain (a.s).

Hussain (a.s) read the letter from his brother, Hassan(AS):

"Brother Hussain (a.s), a day will come when Islam will need to be saved by sacrifice. Hussain (a.s), I will not be alive on that day, however my son, Qasim will be there. It is my wish that Qasim(AS) should represent me on that day."

"My dearest Qasim how can I stop you now. Go, Qasim, go." He took Qasim to Bibi Zainab(SA).

"Zainab(SA), bring me Hassan's abaa and his turban." Hussain (a.s) dressed Qasim with Hassan's abaa (cloak) and turban.

"Zainab(SA)! Look at Qasim, doesn't he look handsome? He looks just like our brother Hassan."

Tears flowed from Hussain (a.s)'s and Zainab's eyes as they remembered their brother.

Hussain (a.s) then dressed Qasim with the battlefield uniform and gave him the weapons.

A young child with adult weapons! Qasim was so young that his sword touched the ground as he walked.

He could not mount his horse on his own. Abbas(AS), his uncle helped him mount the horse.

The young fighter Qasim rode to the battlefield. A rider whose feet did not reach the stirrups, the foot straps on the horse, but he was keen to save Islam.

He was the young son of Hasan(AS), the grandson of Ali (AS)and he was trained by Abbas(AS).

Qasim fought gallantly, he fought a battle history will never forget. The enemy could not overpower him. One of Yazid's cowardly soldiers came from behind and hit Qasim (AS)on the head with a sword.

Qasim(AS) was covered in blood.

The young Qasim(AS), thirsty for three days, could not take it anymore. He fell from his horse. As he fell he cried out;

"O, UNCLE! COME QUICKLY. HELP ME, UNCLE!"

Hussain (a.s) and Abbas rushed to the battlefield.

Dreadful events then took place. The enemies of Islam thought that Hussain (a.s) and Abbas were coming to attack them. They got scared. There was confusion.

Horses ran from one side to another, from here to there! From there to here!

The horses ran over Qasim(as), who was lying wounded on the ground. He got trampled on.

Hussain (a.s) and Abbas(as) were searching for Qasim(as).

My darling Qasim(as), where are you? Qasim! speak to your uncle. Qasim! Qasim! Where are you my son?"

Qasim could not reply. Qasim had stopped breathing.

When the enemies withdraw, what did Hussain (a.s) see?

Qasim was not in one piece. The horses had trodden on him and torn him to pieces.

Imagine Hussain (a.s)'s feelings! His brother, Hasan's son lying trampled into pieces.

ALLAHO AKBER! ALLAHO AKBER!

What shall Hussain (a.s) do now? What shall Hussain (a.s) do now'?

Qasim torn into pieces! His arms and legs scattered on the sand of Karbala.

Hussain (a.s) took off his abaa and spread it on the ground. He gathered the pieces of Qasim's body and placed them on his abaa.

He then tied the abaa into a bundle.

Abbas(as0 helped Hussain (a.s) carry Qasim's trampled body.

When Hussain (a.s) reached the camp, he cried out:

"Z-A-I-N-A-B! HELP ME ZAINAB(sa). My heart is broken, Zainab(sa). I have no strength left to carry Qasim's body to the tent. Zainab(sa), ask Amma Fizza to help you take Qasim to the tent."

The ladies cried and did matam for Qasim.

"WA QASIMA! WA QASIMA! WA QASIMA!"

INNA LILLAHE WA INNA ELAIHI RAJEOON!

               WE ARE FROM GOD AND TO GOD WE RETURN!

SYEDA ZAINAB ABBAS.