ZUHAYR IBN QAYN

Contents

Battle of Karbala

Military Status

Martyrdom

Battle of Karbala

Zuhayr ibn Qayn, was a member of the Bijli tribe in Iraq. Despite the fact that he did not want to even speak to Husayn ibn Ali, he eventually spoke to him when his tribe met his companions. After meeting Husayn, Zuhayr got amazed by the content of his character. After this event he got so happy with Husayn, that he volunteered to join his army against the forces of Yazid, led by Umar ibn Sa'ad. When Umar ibn Sa'd cut off the water supply (as ordered by Kufa's governer Ubayd-Allah ibn Ziyad), for Husayn and his companions, Zuhayr asked the army if he could bring some water to Husayn, his family and his companions. The army did not allow this, but said that he could drink some water himself as long as he does not bring any to Husayn and his family. Zuhayr refused saying: 'It is a sin for me to drink while the commander of the believers is thirsty'. After gatheration of his armies Yazid ended up with at least 40 000 men, whom were placed under the command of Umar ibn Sa'd. Husayn's army had only 72 companions, all of whom did not eat or drink for 3 days. Husayn split his army into three parts, the left flank, the right flank and the Ahl al-bayt. Ahl al-Bayt in arabic means people of the house, and refers to the family of the Prophet.

Military Status

As commanded by Husayn, Zuhayr was placed as the commander of the right flank of his army. Zuhayr fought well against the enemy forces, but was eventually killed.

Martyrdom

According to the book 'Karbala and Ashura', by Ali Husayn Jalali, Zuhayr himself killed 124 of the enemy soldiers before being martyred.
'See also'

★ Battle of Karbala

★ List of Martyrs of Battle of Karbala

★ Husayn ibn Ali

★ Ali ibn Husayn

★ Ali ibn Abi Talib

★ Hasan ibn Ali

★ Abbas ibn Ali

★ Muslim ibn Aqeel

★ Ali Akbar ibn Husayn

★ Ali Asghar ibn Husayn

★ Aun ibn Abdullah and Muhammad ibn Abdullah

★ Fazal ibn Abbas

★ Qasim ibn Abbas

★ Hurr

★ Obaidullah ibn Abbas

★ Habib ibn Muzahir

★ Yazid I

★ Muhammad al-Baqir

★ Jafar al-Sadiq

★ Musa al-Kazim

★ Ali al-Rida

★ Muhammad al-Taqi

★ Ali al-Naqi

★ Hasan al-Askari

★ Muhammad al-Mahdi