Was the Demise of Ali Al-Asghar Ibn Husayn in Karbala an Authentic Event?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I would like to ask if the death of the infant Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn at Karbala is an authentic event. I have read that scholars like Imam Ghazali discouraged people from discussing Karbala and what happened in detail. This has distressed me a lot. Is this true, or did Imam Ghazali mean something different?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health.
‘Ali Al-Asghar Ibn Husayn (Allah Be Pleased with Him)
Abdullah, the young son of Imam Husayn (Allah be pleased with them both), was martyred just before the martyrdom of his father.
Some writers of the incident of Karbala have written ‘Abdullah was ‘Ali al-Asghar. However, authoritative sunni sources certify ‘Ali al-Asghar was “‘Ali Ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-‘Abidin” who was not martyred. [Ibn Kathir, al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya; Shafi, Martyr of Karbala]
Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (Allah have mercy on him) on the Tragedy of Karbala
“Imam Ghazali and others said, ‘It is prohibited for the one giving an admonition or anyone else to narrate the murder of al-Hasan and al-Husayn, (Allah be pleased with them both), or discuss it as well as any quarrel or dispute that took place between the Companions as this can stir emotions that lead to hating the companions and insulting them. They are the representatives of the religion, and the scholars have received the matters of religion through them by narration, and we have understood the religion from these scholars. Therefore, the one who insults them is cursed, essentially insulting himself and his religion.” [Yusuf al-Ardibili, al-Anwar li Aa‘mal al-Abrar]
Some scholars advised not to discuss the tragedy due to genuine concern of stirring emotions against the Companions (Allah be pleased with them all). However, if scholars do so, it is also an obligation for the scholar to clear any doubts and concerns the people may have whilst ensuring that the approach in discussing and dealing with matters is in moderation, creating educational and historical awareness and moral lessons for all.
Allah Most High give us all the success to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), His pure family, companions, and those who followed them and will follow till the last day, amin
Related Answer
The Martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala: A Reader
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Criticizing a Companion
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Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
