HAZRAT MUSLIM BIN AWSAJA

Hazrat Muslim Bin Awsajaa was a 'Sahaabi', a companion, of Hazrat Ali. He was greatly respected by Hazrat Ali, Imaam Hassan and Imaam Hussain. He was a leading citizen of Kufa and was among those who had written letters to Imaam Hussain inviting him to go to Kufa. He was an old man, nearly eighty years old.

When Ibne Ziyad wanted to find out where Hazrat Muslim Ibne Aqeel was hiding in Kufa, he sent his spy to Muslim Bin Awsaja. The spy pretended to be a devout shiah and Hazrat Muslim Bin Awsajaa believed him and took him to Hazrat Muslim.Hazrat Muslim Bin Awsajaa never forgave himself for having accepted the story of the spy so easily.

After the murder of Hazrat Muslim Ibne Aqeel, Hazrat Muslim Bin Awsajaa slipped out of Kufa. He left Kufa by foot and travelled towards Mecca in the hope of meeting Imaam Hussain on the way. Some historians record that he met and joined Imaam at the place called 'Zuballah' on the same day as Imaam Hussain got there. From him Imaam learnt details about how Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel and Hazrat Hani bin Urwah had been murdered., Imaam Hussain was grief stricken.

Muslim Bin Awsajaa said to Imaam Hussain, "Mawla, I beg you to accept me in your party". Imaam Hussain replied "O Muslim Bin Awsajaa, whenever I see you, I am reminded of my father. You know that these people will not let me live. You are an old man. Go back to your family and give your children and grandchildren the honour of burying you when you die. Your age excuses you from jihad". When Muslim bin Awsaja insisted, Imaam let him join his entourage.

On the day of Ashura, early in the morning, Muslim Bin Awsajaa went to Hazrat Habeeb Ibne Mazahir, removed his turban and asked Habeeb Ibne Mazahir to tie the cloth of the turban tightly around his waist and abdomen saying, "Habeeb, I do not want those dogs of Yazeed to see me stooping with old age". Habeeb Ibne Mazahir said, "But Muslim, you will not then have a turban on your head". Muslim replied, "When they kill me, and when I meet our Holy Prophet I want these my white hair to be my witness when I complain to our Prophet against Yazeed and his people".

When Muslim Bin Awsajaa rode out to fight, a soldier from Yazeed's army teased him, "O old man! Go back to your bed and lie there!".Hazrat Muslim replied, "O dog! My bed is now the sword of Yazeed. Let me show you the spirit of Islam". .Saying so he attacked the soldier and killed him with one stroke.

Umar bin Sa'ad sent twenty strong warriors to fight Muslim Bin Awsajaa. Six were killed and 14 ran away. At last, thirsty and exhausted, Muslim Bin Awsajaa stopped his horse, looked at the sky and appeared to be saying a prayer. Just then they fell upon him like hounds. Muslim Bin Awsajaa fell to the ground with countless wounds on his frail body.

Habeeb Ibne Mazahir and Imaam Hussain rushed to him. When they reached Muslim bin Awsajaa, he looked at Imaam Hussain and asked, "Mawla, How did I fight?" Imaam Hussain replied "You fought like a true follower of Ali Murtaza". Hazrat Muslim took Imaam Hussain's hand in his hand, brought it near his lips, and as he kissed Imaam's hand he breathed his last. There was a smile on his lips and pride on his face.