Zuhayr bin Qayn Bajali – The Martyr of Kerbala

Reading Time: 2 minutes

A man of Bani Fazara, “We left Makkah with Zuhayr bin Qayn Bajali and were traveling alongside Imam Husayn (a.s.). We despised halting alongside the Imam at any place. Whenever Husayn bin Ali would leave from a particular place, Zuhayr would stay behind, and if Husayn would halt at a particular place, Zuhayr would leave from there, until we reached a place where there was no way except to pitch our tents alongside him. Hence we pitched our tents on one side and Husayn on the other. We were having our lunch when the messenger of Husayn came to us, saluted and came inside the tent. Then he said, “O Zuhayr! Abu Abdullah (Imam Husayn) has sent me to you to invite you to come to him.” We dropped whatever (morsel of food) was there in our hands as if birds sat still on our heads.”

Abu Makhnaf says that Dulham bint ‘Amr, the wife of Zuhayr told me that I told Zuhayr, “The son of the Prophet of Allah (S) has sent his messenger to you, so why do you not go to meet him? Glory be to Allah! I desire that you go to him and listen to what he has to say, then return back.” She says that Zuhayr went and after a short time returned back with a brightened face. Then he ordered that his belongings and tent should be shifted to that of Imam Husayn (a.s.). Then he told me, “I have divorced you. Return back to your family, for I desire that you should face nothing except goodness from my side.”

It is related in Malhoof that Zuhayr bin Qayn said, “I have decided to assist Imam Husayn (a.s.) until I sacrifice my life for him.” Then he gave his dower to his wife and handed her over to his cousin, so that he may reach her to her relatives. The woman arose and bade farewell to her hus­band, with tears in her eyes and said, “May Allah be your aid and send goodness for you. I only desire from you that on the day of Qiyamah you should remember me in the presence of Husayn’s Grandfather (S).

Zuhayr was martyred along with Imam Husayn (a.s.). When his wife received the news, she told her retainer, “Go and give shroud to your master.” When the retainer came he saw that the body of Imam was lying without shroud, thus he said to him­self, “How can I give shroud to my master and leave Husayn without it, by Allah this can never happen.” Then he gave the shroud to Imam Husayn (a.s.) and brought another shroud for Zuhayr.

Reference : Nafasul Mahmoom – Shaikh abbas Qummi (r.a.)