Wednesday, October 10, 2012
[October 10] Hussein, Imam of Shi'a Islam
Parents: Ali, caliph of Islam, and Fatimah of Medina
Date of Birth: 8 January 626
House: Banu Hashim
Spouse(s): (1) Shahrbanu, daughter of Yazdegerd III, shah of Persia, (2) Rubab, daughter of Imra al-Qais, and (3) Layla, daughter of Abi Murrah bin 'Urwah
Predecessor: Hasan
Reign: 669 – 680
Brief: Hussein was the last grandchild born to the prophet Muhammad in his lifetime, the son of his daughter, Fatimah, and her husband, Ali. After Muhammad had died, Ali became the leader of the holy family and Hasan, Hussein's elder brother, was designated heir. Ali served briefly as Caliph of Islam from 656 to 661 but when Hasan was to become the next caliph, Muaqiyah, a member of the Umayyad faction, took control. Once he had consolidated power, Muaqiyah poisoned Hasan leaving control over the holy family and the schism Shi'a Islam group to Hussein in 669. Muaqiyah appointed his son, Yazid, his heir and Hussein rose up in rebellion against the Umayyad Caliphate. A succession war broke out since Muaqiyah was claiming the right to appoint an heir, something that had not yet been done with the Caliphate. When the old caliph died in 679, Hussein moved against the man's son, Yazid I. Their two armies met near the town at Karbala, where they bickered for days before Hussein's group of followers attacked the larger Umayyad army. The entire group was killed and beheaded, then left for forty days without burial. His youngest son, Ali, was not present at the battle and succeeded him.
Brief: Hussein was the last grandchild born to the prophet Muhammad in his lifetime, the son of his daughter, Fatimah, and her husband, Ali. After Muhammad had died, Ali became the leader of the holy family and Hasan, Hussein's elder brother, was designated heir. Ali served briefly as Caliph of Islam from 656 to 661 but when Hasan was to become the next caliph, Muaqiyah, a member of the Umayyad faction, took control. Once he had consolidated power, Muaqiyah poisoned Hasan leaving control over the holy family and the schism Shi'a Islam group to Hussein in 669. Muaqiyah appointed his son, Yazid, his heir and Hussein rose up in rebellion against the Umayyad Caliphate. A succession war broke out since Muaqiyah was claiming the right to appoint an heir, something that had not yet been done with the Caliphate. When the old caliph died in 679, Hussein moved against the man's son, Yazid I. Their two armies met near the town at Karbala, where they bickered for days before Hussein's group of followers attacked the larger Umayyad army. The entire group was killed and beheaded, then left for forty days without burial. His youngest son, Ali, was not present at the battle and succeeded him.
Date of Death: 10 October 680
Successor: AliOther Monarchs Who Died Today:
- Hugues IV, king of Cyprus (1359)
- Carol I, king of Romania (1914)
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