Wednesday, December 31, 2008

AUN O MUHAMMAD -- sons of lionhearted daughter of IMAM ALI (a.s)


 Aun o Mohammad --- Sons of Lionhearted daughter of Imam Ali (A.S).

Aun (a.s.) and Muhammad (a.s.) were the sons of Hazrat Zainab (s.a.). They had not
accompanied Bibi Zainab (s.a.) when she left Madina with Imam Hussain (a.s.). Just
before Imam Hussain (a.s.) started his journey from Mecca, Hazrat Abdullah
ibn-e-Jaffer (a.s.) brought his two sons to Mecca and handing them over to Imam
Hussain (a.s.) said, "Ya Imam, since you have decided to go and will not allow me to
come with you, please take my two sons with you. Aun (a.s.) will represent his
maternal grandfather Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and Mohammad (a.s.) will represent his
paternal grandfather Hazrat Jaffer-e-Tayyaar (a.s.)". He then went to Bibi Zainab
(s.a.) and said, "I have brought to you our two sons to go with you. In the time of
difficulty on our Maula Hussain, give one son as sadqa from your side and the other
one as sadqa from my side".

Aun (a.s.) and Muhammad (a.s.) were quite young. It is reported that Aun (a.s.) was
about thirteen and Muhammad (a.s.) was a year or two younger. They had learnt the art
of fencing from their uncle, Hazrat Abbas (a.s.).

On the night before Ashura Bibi Zainab (s.a.) said to them, "My sons, tomorrow there
will be a battle. I can not ask you to fight because you are young. But if anything
happens to Imam Hussain (a.s.), while you are still alive, I will be filled with
shame." Both the boys stood up and said "Mother, we have the blood of Ali (a.s.) and
Jaffer (a.s.) in our veins.

Our grand fathers were warriors whose fame will always be remembered. Do you think we
can possibly shame them? More over we are the pupils of Uncle Abbas (a.s.). Mother,
unless you forbid us and stop us from fighting, we shall go to the battlefield and
show the enemies of Islam how bravely the children of Islam can fight. All we want
from you is a promise that you will never weep for us. Or souls will never rest in
peace if you grieve for us after we are gone".

Tears of joy and pride flowed down Bibi Zainab's (s.a.) eyes as she embraced her two
boys. In the morning during the general attacks from the enemy, Aun (a.s.) and
Muhammad (a.s.) fought side by side with Ali Akber (a.s.), Qasim (a.s.) and Hazrat
Abbas (a.s.). Every time either of them succeeded in felling an enemy, he would look
proudly at Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) who would smile and nod his approval. Imam Hussain
(a.s.) would not, however, give the two boys permission to go for single combat.
They were very disappointed.

They came to their mother for help. Bibi Zainab (s.a.) sent someone to request Imam
Hussain (a.s.) to come to her tent., When the Imam (a.s.) came Bibi Zainab (s.a.)
said, "Hussain, at the battle of Siffeen Abbas was only nine years old. When he saw
someone trying to attack you, he rushed into the battle field and killed the man. Do
you remember how proud our father Ali was? Today I too want to be proud of my sons.
I want to see them go out there and defend Islam. Will you not allow me that
privilege?"

Imam Hussain (a.s.) stood there in silence. He looked at his sister. He saw the
disappointment on her face. He saw tears forming around her eyes. He put his arms
around the two boys and led them to their horses. He kissed them and then helped them
mount. "Go," said Imam (a.s.), "Go, and show the world how those as young as you can
fight the injustice and oppression of Yazid!" Then he turned round and lifted the
curtain of the tent. The boys raised their hands and said "Fi Amaani-llah, mother!"
Bibi Zainab (s.a.) replied, "Bismillah my sons. Allah be with you!"

The two boys rode out into the battlefield. They fought bravely. At one point Umar
ibn-e-Sa'ad asked, "Who are these two youngsters? They fight like I have seen Ali
ibne Abu Taalib fight." When he was told who they were he ordered his soldiers to
give up single combats and surround and kill the boys. Aun (a.s.) and Muhammad (a.s.)
were attacked from all sides. Soon they were over-powered and brutally killed. Imam
Hussain (a.s.) and Hazrat Abbas (a.s.) carried the two young bodies to a tent and
laid them on the floor.

Imam (a.s.) walked to Bibi Zainab's (s.a.) tent. He found her in sijdah praying,
"Ya Allah, I thank you for accepting my sacrifice. My heart is filled with pride
because my two sons have given their lives for your religion."

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