The first Maqtal on Karbala citing details of the gallant battle of Imam Husain (a.s.) and his companions was the most authentic account of...
The first Maqtal on Karbala citing details of the gallant battle of Imam Husain (a.s.) and his companions was the most authentic account of the incident, more so because of eye-witness account of the tragic happenings. These incidents were imprinted on the hearts of the people of that era. In fact soon after the tragic event of Karbala (and especially between 65 A.H. to 72 A. H, when Tawwabeen i.e. those who repented being part of inimical forces or silent spectators), the writing and recording of Maqaatil hit a crescendo.
Apart from these, the most authentic Maqaatil are the ones related by the family of Imam Husain (a.s.) which include his son Imam Zainul Abedin (a.s.), his sisters, Janabe Zainab (s.a.), Janabe Umme Kulsum (s.a.), and his daughter, Janabe Sakina (s.a.) who were all present in Karbala and were held captives after his martyrdom.
The true account of the Maqtal narrated by Imam Sajjad (a.s.) has the most heart-rending and painful effect on the minds of the readers, piercing deep into the sensitive hearts. The Maqtal of Imam Sajjad (a.s.) is simply matchless and remains far ahead of others in terms of expression of feelings and sentiments. For instance, the way Imam Sajjad (a.s.) said:
"I am the son of the one who was slain thirsty in the deserts of Karbala"
Or at other place, Imam (a.s.) said:
"This is the grave of Husain who was killed thirsty".
Or as he said when he entered Madinah after his return from captivity:
"O People! Verily all the praise belongs to Allah, who tried us with major calamity after the split in the Islamic Ummah. Abu Abdillah and his children were brutally massacred, his women were made captive and his holy head was raised on spears and taken around the cities. It has been such a grave tragedy the like of which can never be found anywhere."
(al-Lohuf, Sayed Ibn Tawoos, p. 222)
Then Imam Sajjad (a.s.) made a remark which is capable of shaking the conscience of the enemies of Azadari and the opponents of mourning for Imam Husain (a.s.). Imam Sajjad (a.s.) had drawn attention towards the basic human instincts that cannot resist tears when faced with calamities. It's a different point altogether that the supporters of Yazid try to downplay the whole issue under a different pretext.
Imam Sajjad (a.s.) says:
"O People! Who amongst you will express elation after such an incident? Which heart will not feel sorrow after this? Which eyes will not weep at such a tragedy?"
(al-Lohuf, p. 222)
The Universe Mourns
After this Imam (a.s.) said:
"Then indeed the seven skies wept on his (Imam Husain) killing, the seas along with their lashing waves erupted into crying. The skies along with their pillars shed tears. The earth along with its elements, trees along with its branches, seas along with their waves and their inhabitants including fishes, the noble angels and the celestial residents, all mourned his martyrdom."
(al-Lohuf, p. 222)
After the speeches of Imam Sajjad (a.s.), the elegies and lamentations of Janabe Zainab (s.a.) are most heart-rending and painful. Janabe Zainab (s.a.) cried on the corpse of Imam Husain (a.s.) in the following manner:
"O my grandfather Muhammad!........ Your Husain is lying uncovered, in a pool of blood; his body mutilated and his limbs hacked. These are your daughters who have been made prisoners."
(al-Lohuf, p. 150)
According to another version she says:
"O my grandfather Muhammad! ….this is your Husain lying uncovered and unclothed in the desert of Karbala….the winds are sprinkling dust on his corpse."
(al-Lohuf, p. 150)
Similarly, the observations of Janabe Umme Kulsum (s.a.), Janabe Sakina (a.s.) and other eye witnesses are worth a mention. These eyewitness accounts can be seen in Lohuf.
