He Rode Forward

The Story

Morning rose over the plain of Karbala.

After the dawn prayer, Hussain gathered his small group and prepared them for the day ahead.

Across the plain stood an army much larger than theirs.

Before any fighting began, Hussain rode forward to speak.

He asked the people to stop, listen, and think carefully about what they were doing.

He reminded them that he was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and asked them to treat him fairly.

The army did not turn back.

But al-Hurr was deeply troubled. He was the man who had once blocked Hussain’s road and helped bring the group to Karbala.

When he realized the attack would still happen, he turned his horse and rode toward Hussain.

Al-Hurr admitted that he had done wrong.

He told Hussain that he had turned back to Allah and asked whether he could still be forgiven.

Hussain did not turn him away. He welcomed al-Hurr and gave him hope in Allah’s forgiveness.

The larger army still would not stop.

When one of Hussain’s companions wanted to act first, Hussain stopped him.

He would not begin the fighting.

Even in that difficult moment, Hussain stayed true to what he believed was right.

We do not show the fighting that followed.

Before the day ended, Imam Hussain and many who had stayed beside him were martyred.

Hussain remained true to Allah and to what was right, even when the cost was everything.

Many years later, a child sat beside a parent beneath the soft glow of a lamp.

“Why do we remember him?” the child asked.

“Because his faith and courage still teach us to stand for what is right.” 🌙

Family Discussion

Hussain stood for what was right, even when it became very difficult.

What is something right or kind that might take courage for you to do?

Sources: Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. XIX (The Caliphate of Yazid ibn Mu'awiyah), trans. Howard — the Ashura-morning address (Hussain identifies himself as the grandson of the Prophet ﷺ and calls for justice), al-Hurr's repentance and return to Hussain, and Hussain's refusal to begin the fighting, Abu Mikhnaf, The Event of Taff (preserved by al-Tabari) — 'The Day of Ashura', Shaykh al-Mufid, Kitab al-Irshad, trans. Howard — the account of Karbala and al-Hurr's repentance, Ibrahim Ayati, A Probe into the History of Ashura', Chapters 14 & 18, Dr. Omar Suleiman, 'Husayn ibn Ali — Redefining Victory in Karbala' — a contemporary Sunni presentation of Hussain's life, justice, and martyrdom