Tasu’a; Day of loyalty, resistance in Islamic history
Tasu’a is known as the day of loyalty and resistance, which was devoted to Abbas Ibn Ali, Imam Hussein’s half-brother, in deference to his sacrifices in the battle of Karbala.
Tasu’a is the ninth day of Muharram, one of the important days for Shia Muslims which is related to the event of Karbala, dating back to the year 61 Hejira.
The Day of Tasu’a is the last day Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions spent the night on and that day is remembered with the “Eve of Ashura”.
Tasu’a is associated with Imam Hussein’s half-brother, Abolfazl al-Abbas, who fought alongside the Imam against the army of Yazid. Abolfazl is highly revered among Muslims as a symbol of loyalty.
On the ninth day of Muharram, Shemr entered Karbala with a letter written by Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad, in which, Umar ibn Sa’ad was requested either to show seriousness in contact with Imam Hussein (PBUH) or delegate the commandership of the army to Shemr.
Umar Sa’ad prevented delegating commandership of the army to Shemr and prepared to wage war against Imam Hussein (PBUH).
With the rush of armies on the day of Tasu’a, Imam Hussein (PBUH) sent Abolfazl al-Abbas (PBUH) and urged them to give a moratorium to pray and recite the Holy Quran.
According to historical resources, Shemr on the forenoon of the Tasu’a along with 4,000-member military men entered Karbala land and territory, carrying a letter from Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad addressed to Umar ibn Sa’ad. In this matter, ibn Ziyad had requested ibn Sa’ad either force Imam Hussein (PBUH) to accept allegiance or prepare himself for battle.
Umar ibn Sa’ad, after reading the letter, appointed Shemr as commander of the infantry of his army.
On this day, Shemr sent a guarantee of safe conduct to Abolfazl al-Abbas (PBUH) and other offspring of Umm ul-Banin but Hazrat Abbas (PBUH) did not accept. Shia Muslims consider and attribute Tasu’a to Hazrat Abbas (PBUH) and endear it like the Day of Ashura and mourn for the perfections of the Imam.
Historically speaking, the army of Yazid laid siege to Imam Hussein (AS) and his followers in the desert near Kerbala on the first day of Muharram. The Imam and his loyal supporters were massacred in battle 10 days later after he had refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid.
