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5 Forgotten Companions of Imam Hussain (as) in the Battle of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala and the stories of the loyal companions of Imam Hussain (as) are well-known to many of us.
We remember them, we honour them, and we live in their holy legacy.
But who were some of the other warriors – the forgotten heroes – who also gave their lives towards the cause?
Read more about the Battle of Karbala here.
Muslim Bin Aqeel
Muslim Bin Aqeel was the first cousin of Imam Hussain (as), and was sent by Imam Hussain (as) to Kufa to gather support.
The people of Kufa in the beginning pledged their loyalty to Imam Hussain, causing Muslim Bin Aqeel to write a letter to Imam Hussain that Kufa would stand behind them and their cause for justice.
However, Ubaidullah Ibn Zayed, the governor of Kufa who was appointed by Yazid himself, threatened the people should they continue to show allegiance to Imam Hussain (as).
Unfortunately, this caused many Kufians to withdraw support from Imam Hussain (as). But it should be remembered that Muslim Bin Aqeel was one of the first who worked tirelessly to gather support and loyalty to Imam Hussain (as) from the people of Kufa – risking his own life in the process.
Sulayman Ibn Razeen
A close companion of Imam Hussain (as), Sulayman Ibn Razeen was sent to Basra with a letter from Imam Hussain (as), to gain support and loyalty.
Unfortunately, some of the leaders of Basra suspected a plot, and quickly ordered the beheading of Sulayman Ibn Razeen – who had only come with a letter of peace and love towards his Imam Hussain (as).
Abu Wahab Abdullah Ibn Umayr
A Christian by birth but having converted to Islam, Abu Wahab Abdullah Ibn Umayr was another one of Imam Hussain’s (as) loyal companions during the Battle of Karbala.
Abu Wahab converted to Islam after being inspired by Imam Hussain (as), begging the Imam to let him fight in his army against Yazid.
It is recorded that Abu Wahab’s wife, Umm Wahab, was also present at the battle of Karbala. When she saw her husband killed on the battlefield, she ran towards the headless corpse, where she was also killed by Yazid’s army after refusing to leave the body.
Umm Wahab is one of the few female martyrs of the Battle of Karbala, making both her and her husband one of the most tragic cases of the forgotten heroes of the Battle of Karbala.
Habib Ibn Muthahir
A staunchly devoted companion of Imam Ali (as) and later of Imam Hussain (as), Habib Ibn Muthahir was one of the people of Kufa who pledged loyalty to Imam Hussain (as) – and actually kept his word.
After realizing many of the people of Kufa had turned their back on Imam Hussain (as), he left Kufa to join Imam Hussain (as) and his army.
At the age of 75, Habib Ibn Muthahir was one of the oldest – however fought as one of the bravest. He is said to have been given command over Imam Hussain’s left flank of the army, but was tragically killed by the army of Yazid and was beheaded after being struck down from his horse.
Suwayd Ibn Amr Al Khathami
One of the last martyrs of the Battle of Karbala, Suwayd Ibn Amr Al Khathami was a companion of Imam Hussain (as) who fought bravely and with honor during the battle.
Struck down in the midst of battle and severely injured, he was left for dead amongst the other corpses, only half conscious.
Only half alive and barely able to defend himself, Suwayd Ibn Amr Al Khathami fought in the tragic memory of his beloved Imam Hussain (as) until he was finally killed – making him one of the last loyal companions killed in the Battle of Karbala.
The Legacy of the Companions of Karbala
As we remember, honour, and weep for the loyal heroes of the Battle of Karbala, we must also keep their legacy alive.
Keep the message of Karbala alive through long-term, life-changing projects.
Your contribution builds a lasting legacy of Karbala for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The forgotten heroes of Karbala include companions like Muslim bin Aqeel, Sulayman Ibn Razeen, Abu Wahab, Umm Wahab, Habib Ibn Muthahir, and Suwayd Ibn Amr Al Khathami. These individuals showed immense loyalty and courage by sacrificing their lives in support of Imam Hussain (as).
Muslim bin Aqeel was sent by Imam Hussain (as) to Kufa to gather support. Despite early loyalty from the Kufans, political pressure led to betrayal. He was captured and martyred, becoming one of the first to give his life for the cause.
Abu Wahab was a Christian convert inspired by Imam Hussain (as). He bravely fought and was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. His wife, Umm Wahab, also became a martyr, making them one of the most tragic yet devoted couples in Karbala’s history.
Habib Ibn Muthahir was a loyal companion of both Imam Ali (as) and Imam Hussain (as). At 75 years old, he fought valiantly and led the left flank of Imam Hussain’s army before being martyred. His loyalty never wavered, even when many others abandoned the cause.
The companions of Karbala teach us the value of standing for truth, justice, and unwavering faith – even at the cost of one’s life. Their sacrifice continues to inspire generations to live with dignity and uphold the values of the Ahlulbayt (as).
You can honor them by embodying the values they died for: supporting justice, helping the oppressed, and engaging in meaningful acts of charity. Contributing to causes like building mosques, providing clean water, and supporting orphans reflects their noble mission.
