Qasim son of Imam Hassan (as)

News ID: 89394

Date: 13 January 2008 - 02:44

Qasim son of Imam Hassan (as)

Qasim was the youngest son of Imam Hassan (pbuh), he was born in 47 Hijra, three (3) years before the martyrdom of his father. When Imam Hossein (pbuh) prepared to leave Madina in the month of Rajab 60 Hijra. Qasim's mother Farwa asked Imam Hossein to take her and Qasim with him. Imam Hossein (pbuh) agreed. Qasim, although only thirteen (13) years old, had, like his cousins Aun and Muhammad, learnt fencing from Abbas and Ali Akbar.

After Aun and Muhammad had fallen in the battlefield, Qasim came to Imam Hossein (pbuh) and begged for permission to go and fight. Twice Imam Hossein (pbuh) refused saying "Qasim you are young and your mother's only son." After much insistence, received the permission to leave for the battlefield, being very young, there was no armor that was fit for his years, nor a helmet nor shoes, nor arms. Imam Hossein (pbuh) tied Imam Hassan's turban (Amamah) on the head of Qasim and helped him mount his Horse. Qasim came to the battlefield. He was a very handsome boy. When the enemy saw him, they began to murmur, "How can we kill someone whose face is shining like moon?"

In a loud and a clear voice Qasim introduced himself and cried out a challenge for single combat. He killed several famous warriors who came forward. When 'Umar son of Saad' saw the courage of this young fighter, he ordered his troops to attack him in force. They surrounded him from all sides, and attacked him with swords, spears, daggers and arrows. An enemy soldier hit him on his head with such force that he fell from his horse.

Imam Hossein (pbuh) stood near the tents as he held his horse's reins. Evidently he was alert and ready. At once he heard a cry. It was Qasim: "Ya Ammah!" (O Uncle!). Imam Hossein (pbuh) flew on the horse like a hunting falcon. As he arrived by the side of Qasim, about two hundred men had surrounded this child. They fled as the Imam attacked, and one of the enemy's men who had dismounted to sever Qasim's head was himself trampled under the hoofs of the horses of his fleeing comrades. When the Imam arrived at Qasim's side, there was so much dust and confusion that nobody could see what was happening; when the dust settled down, they saw the Imam sitting at Qasim's side with his head in his arms. They heard the Imam utter this sentence: "My nephew! By God, it is very hard on your uncle that you should call him and he should not be able to respond, or that he should respond without being able to do anything for you!" It was at this moment that a cry came from this youth and his spirit departed towards its Creator.

Note: The one who is said to have been trampled to death under the hoofs of the horses was one of the enemy's men, not Qasim. And the report about the wedding of Qasim to 'Fatema Kubra' the daughter of Imam Hossein (pbuh), on the night before 'Ashura' is not true. Another two sons (Abdullah and Hassan-e-Mussanna) of Imam Hassan (pbuh) were also participated in the battle of Karbala, apart from Qasim. Qasim and Abdullah were martyred, while Hassan-e-Mussanna born from Ju'ada daughter of Ash'ath survived.