THE MIRACLES OF THE SACRED HEAD OF IMAM HUSAYN (A.S.)

After the massacre at Karbala of the dearest grandson of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), the eighteen members of Bani Hashim, his brave companions, the orphans and the widows and the Infallible Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) who was chained down and they were made to sit on camels without seats and the sacred daughters of the Prophet traveled from Karbala to Kufa. On the way the severed head of the King of Martyrs Imam Husayn (a.s.) was reciting the Surah al-Kahf from beginning to Ayah 13.

Ibne Wakida says that he was doubtful whether it was, indeed, the voice of Imam Husayn (a.s.), whereupon, the head stopped the recitation and turned towards him and said: “O son of Wakida! Do you not know that we, the Imams, are living with our Lord receiving our sustenance.” (Sharah Qasidat Abi Firas page 148)

Salama ibne Kahil heard the Imam reciting following Ayah from the top of the spear, Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 137: “Allah is a sufficient defender for you against them, and He is All-Hearing and All-Knowing.” (S. Kadim al-Rashti's Asrar al-Shahada page 488)

Al-Minhal ibn Amr has said, “I saw al-Husain's head was reciting Surah Al-Kahf and when it came to Ayah 9 saying, “Or did you reckon the fellows of the Cave and the Inscription among our amazing Signs.”the head continued in an articulate tongue saying, “More amazing than the fellows of the Cave is killing me and thus transporting me.” (Al-Khasa'is volume 2 page 127 of Al-Suyuti)

Then the head recited Ayah 24 of Surah Noah which says: “They have misled many and the unjust will achieve nothing but more error.” This was heard by the old companion of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Zayd bin Arqam.

The head was hung on a tree. People assembled around it looking at the dazzling light that emanated from it as it recited the Ayah 227 of Surah Al-Shu'ara': “The unjust will soon know how terrible their end will be.” (Ibn Shahr Ashub volume 2 page 188)

It is reported by Shia and Sunni books that on way from Kufa to Damascus, the bearers of the sacred head of Imam Husayn (a.s.) stopped at the first place, started drinking wine and played with the head. When suddenly a hand appeared from the wall holding an iron pen, and wrote down in blood the following lines : “The nation which has killed Husayn, still hopes that on the day of Qiyamah his grandfather shall intercede for them?” Seeing this they were terrified and left that place.

During the journey to Damscus, the caravan stopped at a monastery. During the night, the monk saw that a wave of light emanated from the sacred head of Imam Husayn (a.s.) and reaching the heavens. He looked at them from above the monastery and asked: “Who are you?”They replied, “We are the associates of Ibne Ziyad”He asked, “Whose head is this?”and they replied, “It is of Husayn, the son of Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) and Fatemah (s.a.), the daughter of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.)”. He asked, “You mean your Prophet?”and they replied in the affirmative. Hearing this he said, “You are among the worst of men. If Maseeh (Prophet I'sa) would have a son, we would have placed him on our eyes (we would have honored him greatly).”

He continued, “Do you desire anything, and could do me a favor?” They asked as to what was it, and he replied, “I have ten thousand Ashrafi (golden coins) with me, you may take it and give me the head. Let it remain with me until the dawn, and when you proceed further, take it back from me.”They gave him the head and he gave them the golden coins.

The monk washed the head, perfumed it and kept it on his lap and wept profusely until the dawn. In the morning he said, “O' head! I do not have any authority upon anything except myself. I bear witness that there is no Deity except Allah and that your Grandfather is the Prophet of Allah. You bear witness that I am your friend and a slave.” Then he renounced the monastery and all that was therein, and entered the ranks of the slaves of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)

Sources: The Glorious Qur'an, Nafs-al-Mahmum by Shaikh Abbas Qummi

Maqtal al-Husayn by Abdal Razzaq al-Muqarram translated by Yasin T. Jibouri