Salam and condolences to you all on the night of the 6th of Muharram. Tonight, we commemorate the martyrdom of 13-year-old Hazrat Qasim, the son of Imam Hassan (as) and Umme Farwah.

By Zuhr time, Imam Husayn was left with only his family to aid him in battle.

After taking permission from his mother to fight, Hazrat Qasim approached his uncle for permission but was denied. Qasim then went back to his mother, who reminded him of a letter his father left with him

Imam Hussain read the letter, “Brother Husayn, a day will come when Islam will need to be saved by sacrifice. Husayn, I will not be alive on that day, however my son, Qasim will be there. It is my wish that Qasim should represent me on that day.”

After reading the letter, Imam Hussain granted Hazrat Qasim permission to go fight. He brought Hazrat Qasim to Bibi Zainab, and they dressed him in his father’s abaa and turban. Then, Hazrat Qasim was ready to fight.

He was given his sword, which touched the ground when he walked. He couldn’t mount his horse on his own. Yet, he fought bravely for Imam Hussain. One of Yazid’s soldiers came from behind and hit Qasim on the head with a sword. He fell from his horse. As he fell he cried out;

“O, Uncle! Come Quickly! Help me, Uncle!”

Imam Husain and ‘ Hazrat Abbas rushed to the battlefield. As the soldiers saw them approach, they became frightened. The horses ran over Qasim, who was lying wounded on the ground. Hazrat Abbas and Imam Hussain searched for Qasim, but his body was no longer in one piece. When Imam Hussain finally found the body of Hazrat Qasim, he took off his abaa and spread it on the ground. He gathered the pieces of Qasim’s body and placed them on his abaa. Together, Hazrat Abbas and Imam Hussain carried the body of Hazrat Qasim to the camps and Imam Hussain cried out “My heart is broken, Zainab. I have no strength left to carry Qasim’s body to the tent.”
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaih Raja’oon!