A brief look at the Life of Imam Hussein

A brief look at the Life of Imam Hussein
The first month of Lunar C alendar begins with the month of Moharram. The significance of this month is the martyrdom of Imam Husain (third shiite Imam).
Imam Husain (Imam Hussein) was born on 3rd of Shaban 4 A.H. in Mediana. He was the son of Ali-ibne-Abi Talib (Hazrat Ali, the first Shiite Imam) and Fatima, the daughter of the Holy Prophet Mohammad. His title was Saiyid-ush-Shohada. He was 57 years old when he was martyred at Kerbala, on 10th
Moharram 61 A. H. He was buried in Kerbala.
It is said that as the good news of birth of his grandson reached Prophet Mohammad, he came and recited Azan and other prayers in his right and left ears, respectively. Prophet Mohammad named him Husain in compliance with God’s command on the 7th day of his birth. Prophet Mohammad prophesied that his second grandson Husain would rescue the faith of Islam when Yezid attempts to destroy it.
When Yezid the son of Muawiya came to power, he held himself as the successor of Prophet Mohammad demanding to be as the leading guide of the faith. Imam Husain said that he would never gives in at any cost to anything other than God’s commands and what his grandfather had established.
Imam Husain went to Medina and led a secluded life. Yezid continued to harass Imam Husain so he went to Mecca. Yezid said he would murder him in Kaaba so he had to leave Mecca a day before Hajj pilgrimage. When Imam Husain horse mysteriously stopped in Kerbala and did not go further, he knew that this is the land of suffering and martyrdom.
On the 7th day of Moharram, water supply was cut off the Imam’s camp including men, women, children and the torment of thirst and hunger began.
At 10th day of Moharram known as Ashura (Ashoora), Yezid ordered his army to march towards him. Imam Husain gathered his followers and told them that God (Allah) has permitted us to be in a holy war on this day and God will reward us for our Martyrdom. He prepared his followers for death and bridging from this world to the other world.
After Imam Husain followers gave their lives one by one, he brought his six month old baby son Ali Asghar, offering him to his enemy and requesting for some water for the baby who was dying of thirst. Instead of water, poison was given to the baby which killed him.
At last, Imam Husain came to the field and was murdered. His head was cut off and raised on a lance.The head of Holy Imam began praising God and saying “Allaho Akbar’ meaning “All glory be to God who is the greatest!”
Muslims mourn during this period in memory of Imam Husain. People wear black during these times.
Imam Hussein had married five times. The names of his wives are:
۱٫ Janabe Shahr Banu the daughter of Yazd Gurd, the last emperor of Iran. Imam Zaynul Abedin a.s. our fourth Imam was her son. She died within ten days of our fourth Imam’s birth.
۲٫  Janabe Rabab was the daughter of Imra’u Al Qays the chief of the tribe of Kinda.Janabe Rabab was the mother of Sakinah  and the baby Abdallah (also called Ali Asghar). She was present in Kerbala with Imam Hussein a.s. and died after one year of return to Medinah after the tragedy of Kerbala.
۳٫ Janabe Laila was the daughter of Abu Murra, the son of Urwah bin Mas’ud Al Thaqafi. Her mother was Maymunah, the daughter of Abu Sufyan and thus she was the cousin of Yazid. Her aunt Umm Sa’id, daughter of Urwah was a wife of Imam Ali a.s.. Janabe Laila was the mother of Ali Akbar. According to scholars she was not alive at the time of the Tragedy of Kerbala. Her name has not been mentioned in the old books written about Kerbala.
۴٫ Janabe Umm Ishaq was the daughter of Talhah bin Ubaydallah Taimi and she is the mother of Fatema Kubra.
۵٫ Janabe Quda’iyah was from the the tribe of Quda’ah. She gave birth to one child Jaffer who died in Childhood