Monday, October 30, 2017

UMAR IBNE SA'AD, THE COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF YAZID IN KARBALA

The intention of writing this article is to raise awareness in a spirit of impartiality and cordiality.
Umar ibne Sa’ad was the son of the Companion of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Sa’ad bin Abi Waqas. As per the Muslim historians, Umar ibne Sa’ad was considered as among the “Ta’bein”-one who had seen a companion.
In the year 51 A.H., on the request of Ubaiydullah ibne Ziyad, Umar ibne Sa’ad gave testimony that Hujr ibne Aday had become an infidel and Mua’wiya used his testimony to martyr him.
He betrayed Muslim bin Aqeel (a.s.) in Kufa when he spoke to Umar ibne Sa’ad his last will in confidence to let Imam Husayn (a.s.) know the changed conditions in Kufa and not to travel to Kufa. Instead, Umar ibne Sa’ad disclosed the will to Ubaydullah ibne Ziayd, the enemy of Imam Husayn (a.s.).
Ubaydullah ibne Ziyad offered him the governorship of the state of Rey, in Persia, on the condition that he should fight Imam Husayn (a.s.) in Karbala. Umar ibne Sa’ad agreed and arrived in Karbala with 4,000 horsemen on 3rd of Muharram 61 A.H.
On the 7th Muharram, he deployed 500 soldiers on the River Euphrates to deprive water to Imam Husayn (a.s.)’ camps.
Before the start of hostilities, Imam Husayn (a.s.) met with Umar ibne Sa’ad and tried to save him from the road to Hell by telling him about Imam’s identity that he was the grandson of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the son of the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) and the Lady of Paradise Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.).
On the morning of Ashura, Imam Husayn (a.s.) addressed Umar ibne Sa’ad, “Will you kill me and think that you will become the governor of Rey? By God, I swear that you will not taste the freshness of its waters.” Umar ibne Sa’ad shot an arrow towards Imam Husayn (a.s.)’s camp and said, “Witness that I am the first person who shot an arrow”
After Hazrat Ali al-Akbar (a.s.) went in the battlefield, Imam Husayn (a.s.) cursed Umar ibne Sa’ad saying, “May God cut your lineage and put you under the rule of the who beheads you in the bed.” During the rise of Hazrat Mukhtar, Umar ibne Sa’ad was killed in the bed and his son Hafs was also killed.
When Imam Husayn (a.s.) took his 6 months old infant and asked the so-called Muslims to quench the thirst of the baby, Umar ibne Sa’ad shouted to Hurmula and said, “Silence Husayn” and the arch man sent a three-pronged arrow normally used to slaughter camels which penetrated the infant’s throat who was martyred instantly.
When Imam Husayn (a.s.) was seriously wounded and fell on the ground, Umar ibne Sa’ad approached him and stood above his sacred body and told his soldiers, “Finish him and behead him” After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.) and his companions, Umar ibne Sa’ad ordered to trample over their bodies by the horses. He also ordered to loot and set on fire Imam’s tents and snatch the head covers of the daughters of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)!

Sources used:

Tarihk al-Sagheer (v.1 page 75), Siyar al-Alam al-Nubla by Dhahabi (v4 page 349), WIKIPEDIA, Encyclopedia Britannica, Wickishia.net, Maqtal abi Mukhnaf, Maqtal Abd al-Razzaq Muqarram/Yasin Jibouri, rudabannasir.wordpress.com


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