Waqiya karbala sad story

The Waqiya (event) of Karbala is one of the most poignant and significant episodes in Islamic history, particularly within Shia Islam. It took place on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 AH of the Islamic calendar (October 10, 680 AD) in Karbala, present-day Iraq.

Background

After the death of the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, was chosen as the fourth Caliph. His reign was marked by civil unrest and wars against those who challenged his leadership, including Muawiya I, the governor of the Levant. After the death of Ali, his elder son Hassan became the Caliph but soon after abdicated in favor of Muawiya, under a peace treaty that stipulated Muawiya would not appoint a successor. However, upon Muawiya's death, his son Yazid I became the next Umayyad Caliph, violating the terms of the peace treaty.

The Event

When Yazid I took power, he sought the allegiance of Husayn ibn Ali, the younger son of Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, to legitimize his rule. Husayn, given the un-Islamic practices and perceived corruption of Yazid, refused.

Husayn, along with his family and supporters (around 72 men, including women and children), were surrounded in the desert near Karbala by a large army sent by Yazid. They were deprived of water and subjected to intense heat.

On the 10th of Muharram, 

Husayn and his supporters were brutally killed. Husayn's body was left on the battlefield, and his head was taken to Yazid in Damascus. The women and children were taken captive.

Significance

The martyrdom of Husayn is remembered and mourned by millions of Muslims, especially the Shia, annually on the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram). It is seen as a symbol of resistance against tyranny, oppression, and injustice.

The event has left an indelible mark on Islamic thought, spirituality, literature, and arts. It serves as a reminder of the values of justice, freedom, and standing up for one's beliefs even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Rituals like reenactments, processions, and recitations are carried out to commemorate this event. It is not only a day of mourning but also a day of reflection on one's own actions and commitment to justice and righteousness.