SHAH AST HUSSAIN, BAADSHAH AST HUSSAIN, DEEN AST HUSSAIN, DEEN-E-PANAH AST HUSSAIN, SAR DAAD NA DAAD DAST DAR DAST-E-YAZEED, HAQQAH KEH BINAEY LA-ILLAH AST HUSSAIN(ASWS) (VERSES OF HADRAT SYED MOEENUDDIN CHISHTI AJMERI(RA) - THE MARTYRDOM OF IMAM HUSSAIN(ASWS) IS THE ETERNAL DEATH OF YAZEED; THE RELIGION OF ISLAM ARISES AGAIN AND AGAIN AFTER EVERY KARBALA.
UNTOLD TIMES DUROOD-O-SALAM OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH AND HIS ANGELS ON THE HOLY PERSONALITY OF HADRAT SYED IMAM HUSSAIN (ALAIHI SALAAT-O-WASALAM), THE ONLY SAVIOUR OF THE TRUE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM, SAVIOUR OF DIGNITY OF THE CHIEF PRINCE THE LAST HOLY MESSENGER HADRAT MUHAMMAD(SAWAW), ALL PAST PROPHETS AND MESSENGERS(AS), AND THAT OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH, THE CREATOR, CHERISHER, SUSTAINER AND OMNIPOTENT

Birth and Early Life of Hadrat Syed Imam Hussain(ASWS) in Madina Shareef

SHAH AST HUSSAIN, BAADSHAH AST HUSSAIN, DEEN AST HUSSAIN, DEEN-E-PANAH AST HUSSAIN, SAR DAAD NA DAAD DAST DAR DAST-E-YAZEED, HAQQAH KEH BINAEY LA-ILLAH AST HUSSAIN(ASWS) (VERSES OF HADRAT SYED MOEENUDDIN CHISHTI AJMERI(RA) - THE MARTYRDOM OF IMAM HUSSAIN(ASWS) IS THE ETERNAL DEATH OF YAZEED; THE RELIGION OF ISLAM ARISES AGAIN AND AGAIN AFTER EVERY KARBALA.
UNTOLD TIMES DUROOD-O-SALAM OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH AND HIS ANGELS ON THE HOLY PERSONALITY OF HADRAT SYED IMAM HUSSAIN (ALAIHI SALAAT-O-WASALAM), THE ONLY SAVIOUR OF THE TRUE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM, SAVIOUR OF DIGNITY OF THE CHIEF PRINCE THE LAST HOLY MESSENGER HADRAT MUHAMMAD(SAWAW), ALL PAST PROPHETS AND MESSENGERS(AS), AND THAT OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH, THE CREATOR, CHERISHER, SUSTAINER AND OMNIPOTENT

The birth and early life of Hadrat Syed Imam Hussain (A.S.W.S.) in Madina Shareef represent a deeply revered period in Islamic history. As the younger grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the son of Hadrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (K.W.) and Syeda Fatima al-Zahra (S.A.), his upbringing was shaped directly under the shadow of prophetic guidance. When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) took his beloved grandson, Husayn (AS), into his blessed lap, he opened his holy mouth and placed his tongue into the mouth of the infant child. In that sacred moment, he transferred to him the esoteric knowledge of prophethood (ʿulūm al-nubuwwah) and the secrets of divine revelation. Suddenly, the Prophet’s luminous eyes welled up with tears, and they began to flow down his cheeks. His pure daughter, Fatimah al-Zahra (SAA), who was watching, asked with tender concern: “O my beloved Father and Messenger of Allah! Grandfathers usually find joy and delight in cradling their grandsons — so why are your blessed eyes filled with tears?” The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) replied with a heavy heart: “O my beloved daughter, Fatimah! At this very moment, Jibreel al-Amin (the Trustworthy Spirit) has informed me that this cherished son of yours — my own flesh and blood — will one day be martyred in the scorching heat upon the burning sands of Karbala. He will be slain not by enemies of faith alone, but by those who claim to be from my Ummah — people who will have abandoned the true teachings of Islam and distorted my message. That is why my eyes have overflowed, and my soul is consumed with grief.” Then Fatimah (SAA), with tearful voice, asked again: “O my beloved Father, who among your Ummah will truly mourn for my son and your grandson? Who will weep for him with sincerity and depth?” The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) answered: “O my beloved daughter, those from my Ummah who will hold firm to true faith (īmān) in Allah, and who will harbor pure and unwavering love for my Ahl al-Bayt (ASWS) — the People of the Cloak — they will be the ones to mourn for Husayn. They will feel profound sadness for him, and their eyes will shed tears in remembrance of his sacrifice. And know, O Fatimah, that for every drop that will fall from their eyes in grief for Husayn, and for every moment of heartfelt sorrow they will endure, Allah, in His boundless mercy, will wash away their sins and elevate their station. By His grace, He will make them worthy of Jannah, for their tears are not of despair, but of love, loyalty, and witness to the truth.”

Here is a detailed account of his blessed birth and the major events of his early life in Madina.

1. The Blessed Birth (4th AH)

Imam Hussain (A.S.W.S.) was born in the holy city of Madina Shareef on the 3rd or 4th of Shaban in the 4th year of Hijra (approx. 626 CE), just about a year after his elder brother, Imam Hasan (A.S.W.S.).

  • The Prophetic Rejoicing: Upon his birth, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) rushed to the house of Sayyida Fatima. He took the newborn in his arms, recited the Azan in his right ear and the Iqamah in his left ear, deeply imprinting the oneness of Allah into the child’s soul.

  • The Naming: According to Islamic traditions, Hadrat Ali had initially thought of a name like Harb, but the Prophet (PBUH) stated that he would wait for Allah’s decree. The Angel Jibril (Gabriel) descended with the divine command to name the child Hussain (meaning “Beautiful” or “Good character”), a name that had not been widely used in the pre-Islamic era and mirrored the name Shubayr (the younger son of Prophet Harun/Aaron).

The Tahneek and Aqeeqah

On the seventh day after his birth, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) performed the ritual of Tahneek (softening a date and placing a bit of it on the infant’s palate). He also slaughtered a ram for the Aqeeqah sacrifice and instructed that Imam Hussain’s hair be shaved, with its weight in silver distributed as charity to the poor.

2. Divine Status and Prophetic Traditions

Imam Hussain’s childhood was punctuated by numerous instances where the Prophet (PBUH) publicly established his lofty spiritual status.

  • “Hussain is from me, and I am from Hussain”: In a well-documented narration, the Prophet (PBUH) declared:

    “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain. Allah loves those who love Hussain.”

  • The Leaders of Youth in Paradise: The Prophet frequently proclaimed that Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain are the “Leaders of the Youth of Paradise” (Sayyidat Shababi Ahlil Jannah).

  • The Ride on the Prophetic Shoulders: Multiple companions narrated seeing the Holy Prophet (PBUH) carrying Hasan and Hussain on his back. When someone remarked, “What an excellent mount you have!” the Prophet replied, “And what excellent riders they are.”

  • Interrupting Sermons: It is recorded that while delivering a sermon (Khutbah) from the pulpit, the Prophet saw a young Hussain tripping over his long shirt as he walked. The Prophet immediately stopped speaking, climbed down from the pulpit, picked up his grandson, comforted him, and brought him up to sit beside him.

  • Prolonging the Sujud (Prostration): During congregational prayers, a young Imam Hussain would sometimes climb onto the Prophet’s back while he was in prostration. Out of love and care not to disturb the child, the Prophet would lengthen his Sujud until the boy climbed down on his own.

3. Major Life Events in Madina Shareef

During his first seven years, Imam Hussain was a witness to and a participant in pivotal events that shaped the foundation of Islam.

The Event of Mubahala (10th AH)

When a Christian delegation from Najran challenged the Prophet regarding theological doctrines, Allah revealed Verse 61 of Surah Ali ‘Imran, commanding a spiritual contest invocation (Mubahala). The Prophet (PBUH) chose only four people to accompany him to represent the ultimate truth of his mission: Hadrat Ali, Syeda Fatima, Imam Hasan, and Imam Hussain (representing “our sons”). Imam Hussain, though still a young child, stood on the field of Mubahala as a divine witness.

The Verse of Purification (Ayat al-Tathir)

Imam Hussain was one of the distinct members of the Ahl al-Kisa (People of the Cloak). Under a large mantle, the Holy Prophet gathered Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Hussain, praying: “O Allah, these are my Ahl al-Bayt (Family). Keep away impurity from them and purify them thoroughly.” This event firmly established their spiritual immaculacy and purity.

4. The Double Bereavement (11th AH)

The year 11 AH brought an immense emotional trial for the young Imam Hussain, marking the end of his early childhood and transitioning him into youth.

  • Passing of the Holy Prophet (PBUH): In the early part of 11 AH, the Prophet (PBUH) fell severely ill and passed away. At just around seven years old, Imam Hussain lost his ultimate grandfather, protector, and spiritual teacher.

  • Passing of Syeda Fatima (S.A.): Only a few months after the Prophet’s demise, his beloved mother, Syeda Fatima al-Zahra, passed away due to grief and illness. This double tragedy heavily impacted the household, leaving Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain to rely tightly on the guidance and strength of their father, Hadrat Ali (K.W.).

Summary of Character in Early Life

Throughout his time in Madina Shareef during these early years, Imam Hussain was known for his astonishing eloquence, deep humility, generosity, and an aura of dignity that mirrored his grandfather. He absorbed the inner spiritual dimensions of the Quran directly from the source, setting the foundation for the profound patience (Sabr) and unyielding stance for truth that he would display later in his life.