Compiled by: Abu Ubaidah Muhammad Saqib
The Incident of Karbala: The Oppressed Martyrdom of Sayyiduna Hussain (May Allah be pleased with him)
[1] It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) that one day I went to the Prophet ﷺ and saw tears flowing from his eyes. I said: O Prophet of Allah! Has someone angered you? Why are tears flowing from your eyes?
He said: Rather, just now Jibreel (peace be upon him) rose from my presence, and he informed me that Hussain will be killed (martyred) on the banks of the Euphrates.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: Hadith 648 with a good chain, narrated by Abdullah bin Naji and Abu Saduq, both trustworthy according to the majority, and their hadith is not considered of lesser grade. See Neel al-Maqsood in the verification of Sunan Abi Dawood: 227
[2] It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما that one day at noon, I saw the Prophet ﷺ in a dream. His hair was disheveled and dusty, and he had a bottle of blood in his hand. I asked: May my parents be sacrificed for you, what is this? He said: This is the blood of Hussain رضي الله عنه and his companions, I have been collecting it since morning.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 2165 with a good chain, see Monthly Al-Hadith Hazro: 10, pages 14 to 16, and issue: 20, pages 18 to 23)
From this, it is understood that the Prophet ﷺ was deeply saddened by the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Imam Hussain رضي الله عنه.
[3] It is narrated from Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها that Hussain bin Ali رضي الله عنه was with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he was crying. The Prophet ﷺ said: Jibril (Gabriel) عليه السلام informed me that my Ummah will kill him after me.
Reference: Mushaykha Ibrahim bin Tahman: 3 with a good chain and through Ibn Tahman narrated by Ibn Asakir in Tarikh Dimashq 14/192, and another chain at Al-Hakim 4/398, Hadith 8202, authenticated according to the conditions of the two Sheikhs and agreed upon by Al-Dhahabi
[4] It is narrated from Shahr bin Hawshab (a trustworthy narrator according to Hasan al-Hadith and the consensus) that when the news of the martyrdom of (Sayyiduna) Husayn bin Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, came from Iraq, Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: Curse be upon the Iraqis, the Iraqis have killed you, may Allah kill them (the Iraqis). They deceived you and humiliated you, may Allah humiliate them.
Reference: Fada'il al-Sahabah, Zawa'id al-Qati'i: 2/782 Hadith 1392 with a Hasan chain, and Musnad Ahmad: 6/298 Hadith 26550 with a Hasan chain
[5] When Sayyiduna Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, was martyred, his blessed head was brought before Ubayd Allah bin Ziyad (Ibn Marjanah, the oppressive and detested). He began to scrape his head with a stick. Seeing this, Sayyiduna Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, resembled the Messenger of Allah ﷺ the most.
Reference: See Sahih Bukhari: 3748
[6] Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما was asked by someone (an Iraqi) about the blood of a mosquito (or fly) in the state of Ihram, and he said: Look, this (Iraqi) is asking about the blood of a mosquito, and they have killed the son (grandson) of the Prophet ﷺ as a martyr.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari:3753-5994
[7] Saad bin Ubaidah (a trustworthy Tabi'i) narrates that he saw (Sayyiduna) Hussain رضي الله عنه wearing a garment (brood) cloak (jubbah). A man named Amr bin Khalid al-Tahawi shot an arrow at him which was hanging from his cloak.
Reference: Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir:4/214 with authentic chain
[8] It is narrated from Shahr bin Hawshab that I was present with the Prophet ﷺ’s wife Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها. When I heard the news of (Sayyiduna) Hussain رضي الله عنه’s martyrdom, I informed Umm Salamah. She said: Those people have done this deed, may Allah fill their homes or graves with fire, and she fainted (due to the intensity of grief).
Reference: Tarikh Dimashq: 14/219 with good chain
[9] Sayyida Umm al-Mu'minin Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها (died 62 AH) said: I have heard the jinn crying over the martyrdom of Imam Husayn رضي الله عنه.
Reference: Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani: 2862-2867, Fada'il al-Sahabah by Ahmad: 1373 and its chain is Hasan
◈ Our master Husayn رضي الله عنه was martyred on the 10th of Muharram (the day of Ashura) in 61 AH.
Reference: See Tarikh Dimashq: 14/237 and this is the opinion of most historians
◈ It was the day of Saturday (Sabt) (Tarikh Abi Zur'ah al-Dimashqi: 243 with an authentic chain from Abi Nu'aym al-Fadl ibn Dukayn al-Kufi, may Allah have mercy on him)
◈ Some say it was Monday.
Reference: (See Tarikh Dimashq: 14/236)
Many disbelievers, due to their disbelief, continue to speak ill of Allah Almighty, but the Merciful Lord grants them respite in this world; however, whoever He seizes, there is no one to release him.
[10] The famous, noble, trustworthy Tabi'i Abu Rija Imran ibn Malhan al-Atardi, may Allah have mercy on him, lived during the Jahiliyyah period but did not attain the honor of companionship. He died at the age of one hundred and twenty (120) in 105 AH.
Abu Rija al-Atardi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
Do not speak ill of Ali and the Ahl al-Bayt. A neighbor of ours in Belgium spoke ill of (Sayyiduna) Husayn رضي الله عنه, and Allah Almighty made him blind.
Reference: (Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 2830 summarized with authentic chain)
Regarding the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husayn رضي الله عنه, there are many weak, rejected, and strange narrations which I have deliberately not mentioned here. The religion depends on authentic and established narrations, not on weak and rejected ones.
It is a great pity on those who base their beliefs and actions on unestablished and rejected historical narrations, and even openly try to introduce these rejected narrations as "Muslim historical facts."
[11] The young Tabi'i Ibrahim bin Yazid al-Nakha'i said: If I were among those who killed (martyred) Husayn bin Ali (رضي الله عنه), and then I was forgiven and entered Paradise, I would still be ashamed to pass by the Prophet ﷺ lest he look at me.
Reference: (Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 2829 with a good chain)
In the end, curse be upon those who martyred or caused the martyrdom of our master, beloved, and leader Al-Hussain ibn Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, or who assisted in any way. O Allah! Fill our hearts with the love of our master, the oppressed martyr Imam Hussain ibn Ali, all the Ahl al-Bayt, and all the companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. Ameen.
The Nawasib harbor hatred towards Sayyidna Ali, Sayyidna Hussain, and the Ahl al-Bayt, while the Shia harbor hatred towards the companions due to their claim of love, exaggerate in the love of the Ahl al-Bayt, and deny the essentials of the religion. Both these groups are on paths of excess and neglect. The path of Ahl al-Sunnah is the path of moderation and justice. And all praise is due to Allah.
The venerable Imam Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir ibn Yazid al-Tabari, may Allah have mercy on him, a scholar of Ahl al-Sunnah, has narrated the martyrdom of Hussain and other historical events in his Tarikh al-Tabari through the chains of narrators of Abu Mukhnaf and others, who are liars and rejected. These events and details are fabricated and false, therefore they are rejected, but Imam al-Tabari, may Allah have mercy on him, is innocent because he has mentioned the chains of narration. Apart from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, only those narrations should be presented from any book of Hadith whose chains are authentic or good in themselves according to the principles of Hadith and the science of narrators; otherwise, it is better to remain silent. All the connected, elevated narrations in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are authentic. And our duty is only to convey.
Reference: Hadith: 26-27
Reference: This excerpt is taken from the book of Hafiz Shir Muhammad, may Allah preserve him, (Fada'il al-Sahaba: pp. 105 to 109).
The Killers of Hussain, may Allah be pleased with him, and the Responsibility of the Yazidi Government
The Demand for Allegiance to Yazid and Sayyiduna Hussain's, may Allah be pleased with him, Journey to Mecca
After the death of Amir Muawiya رضي الله عنه, the process of taking allegiance for Yazid bin Muawiya began. The governor of Madinah, Walid bin Utbah, called Sayyiduna Hussain bin Ali رضي الله عنهما and Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Zubair رضي الله عنهما and demanded allegiance for Yazid. Marwan bin Hakam was also present in this gathering. Sayyiduna Hussain رضي الله عنهما did not immediately give allegiance but asked for a delay, then that very night he left Madinah for Makkah.
Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله narrates:
[1] فبعث الوليد من ساعته نصف الليل إلى الحسين بن علي وعبد الله بن الزبير، فأخبرهما بوفاة معاوية، ودعاهما إلى البيعة ليزيد بن معاوية، فقالا: إلى أن نصبح وننظر ما يصنع الناس.
Walid called Hussain bin Ali and Abdullah bin Zubair رضي الله عنهما at midnight, informed them of the death of Muawiya رضي الله عنه, and invited them to give allegiance to Yazid bin Muawiya. Both said: Give us until morning, we will see what the people do.
Reference: Al-Bidaya wa'n-Nihaya - Dar Ibn Kathir: 8/232, Tahdhib al-Kamal fi Asma' al-Rijal: 6/414, 415
Then Ibn Kathir writes:
[2] فقال له مروان - أو بعض جلسائه: اقتله، فقال: إن ذلك لدم مضنون به مصون في بني عبد مناف.
Marwan, or some of his companions, said to Walid: kill him. Walid said: this is a bloodline of Banu Abd Manaf whose protection is upheld.
Reference: Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya - Dar Ibn Kathir:8/233], [Tahdhib al-Kamal fi Asma' al-Rijal:6/415
Then Ibn Kathir writes:
[3] قالوا: وخرج الحسين وابن الزبير من ليلتهما إلى مكة، وأصبح الناس، فغدوا على البيعة ليزيد، وطلب الحسين وابن الزبير فلم يوجدا.
They said: Hussain and Ibn Zubair, may Allah be pleased with them, left for Mecca that very night. In the morning, people came to pledge allegiance to Yazid, Hussain and Ibn Zubair were searched for, but they were not found.
Reference: Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya - Dar Ibn Kathir:8/233], [Tahdhib al-Kamal fi Asma' al-Rijal:6/415
Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad was a tyrant, hard-hearted, insolent, and foolish man.
Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him (died: 774 AH), says:
[وقد کانت في عبید اللہ بن زیاد جرأة وإقدام علی سفک الدماء، قتل خلقا کثیرا جدا، وکان سفیها شدیدا، وکان فیہ مبادرة إلی ما لا حاجۃ لہ بہ]
And undoubtedly Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad was very bold and daring in shedding blood; he caused the death of many people. He was a very foolish man, who hastened in matters where there was little need for haste.
Reference: Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya - Dar Ibn Kathir:9/37
Allama Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him (died: 597 AH)
has described him as «الفاسق».
Reference: Kashf al-Mushkil min Hadith al-Sahihayn:2/31, No. 501
Allama Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Qurtubi (died: 671 AH)
has also called it «الفاسق».
Reference: Al-Tadhkirah bi-Ahwal al-Mawta wa Umur al-Akhirah - T Al-Zuhwi:2/281
The truthful and trustworthy Prophet ﷺ said:
(ھلاک أمتي علی یدی غلمۃ من قریش) The destruction of my Ummah will be at the hands of a few boys from Quraysh.
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3605)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him, says: [عبيد الله بن زياد أمير الكوفة لمعاوية ولابنه يزيد وهو الذي جهز الجيوش من الكوفة للحسين بن علي رضى الله تعالى عنهما حتى قتل بكربلاء]
Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad was the governor of Kufa on behalf of Sayyiduna Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, and his son Yazid. He is the same person who prepared the army from Kufa against Sayyiduna Husayn ibn Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, and caused him to be martyred in Karbala.
Reference: Ta’jil al-Manfa’ah:1/840 No:686
Hafiz Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him
[ثم أمر عبيد الله بضرب رقبة مسلم بن عقيل، فضرب رقبة مسلم بن عقيل بكير بن حمران الأحمري على طرف الجدار، فسقطت جثته، ثم أتبع رأسه جسده]
Then Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad ordered the beheading of Muslim ibn Aqil, so Bakir ibn Hamran Ahmari struck Muslim ibn Aqil’s neck by the wall, his body fell, then the head was placed behind the body.
Reference: Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah wa Akhbar al-Khulafa min al-Thiqaat by Ibn Hibban:2/557
Hafiz Al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him
Imam Al-Dhahabi wrote in the biography of Muslim ibn Aqil:
[فوثب عبيد الله فضربه بعنزة شك دماغه بالحائط، ثم أحضر مسلما من داره فقتله، وذلك في آخر سنة ستين]
Ubaidullah attacked Hani with a spear-like stick until his head hit the wall. Then he brought Muslim from his house and killed him. This incident occurred at the end of the 60th year of Hijra.
Reference: Tarikh al-Islam - Taufiqiya Edition: (Shams al-Din al-Dhahabi) 4/156
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him
Ibn Kathir wrote regarding the incident of Hussain, may Allah be pleased with him:
[فلما ظهر على ذلك عبيد الله بن زياد نائب العراق ليزيد بن معاوية، بعث إلى مسلم بن عقيل، فضرب عنقه، ورماه من القصر إلى العامة]
When Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad, the deputy of Yazid ibn Muawiya in Iraq, learned of this, he summoned Muslim ibn Aqil, beheaded him, and threw him from the palace towards the common people.
Reference: Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya - Dar Ibn Kathir Edition: (Ibn Kathir) 6/345
Ibn al-Salah, may Allah have mercy on him
Ibn al-Salah said in response to a question about Yazid:
لم يصح عندنا أنه أمر بقتله رضي الله عنه، والمحفوظ أن الآمر بقتاله المفضي إلى قتله إنما هو عبيد الله بن زياد والي العراق إذ ذاك
It is not established in our view that Yazid ordered the killing of Hussain, may Allah be pleased with him. Rather, it is certain that the one who gave the order to fight him, which resulted in his killing, was Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad, the governor of Iraq at that time.
Reference: Fatawa Ibn al-Salah: 1/216
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him
Ibn Taymiyyah writes: إن يزيد لم يأمر بقتل الحسين باتفاق أهل النقل، ولكن كتب إلى ابن زياد أن يمنعه عن ولاية العراق.
According to the consensus of the narrators, Yazid bin Muawiyah did not order the killing of Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, rather he wrote to Ibn Ziyad to prevent him from governing Iraq.
Reference: Minhaj al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah: (Ibn Taymiyyah) 4/472
Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him
Imam Dhahabi wrote in the biography of Ubaidullah bin Ziyad: وقد جرت لعبيد الله خطوب، وأبغضه المسلمون لما فعل بالحسين رضي الله عنه
Great events occurred with Ubaidullah, and the Muslims held enmity towards him because of what he did to Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him.
Reference: Siyar A'lam al-Nubala - Dar al-Risalah: (Shams al-Din al-Dhahabi) 3/546
Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him
Ibn Kathir mentioned Ibn Ziyad's role in the martyrdom of Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, stating that Ibn Ziyad threatened Umar bin Saad and sent him towards Husayn, then according to his orders, the water was cut off and the demand for allegiance/obedience was made. In Ibn Kathir's narration, Yazid's statement also appears: [لعن الله ابن مرجانة، أما والله لو أني صاحبه لعفوت عنه، ورحم الله الحسين]
May Allah curse Ibn Marjana. By Allah! If Husayn were with me, I would have forgiven him. May Allah have mercy on Husayn.
Reference: Al-Bidaya wa'n-Nihaya - At-Turki (Ibn Kathir) 11/557
Here, "Ibn Marjana" refers to Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad. According to Ibn Kathir's narration, the practical responsibility for the killing of Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) is attributed to Ibn Ziyad.
Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him
Ibn Hibban wrote in his historical account that Ibn Ziyad sent Umar ibn Saad towards Sayyiduna Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him): وأخرج عبيد الله بن زياد عمر بن سعد إليه فقاتله بكربلاء قتالا شديدا حتى قتل عطشانا
Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad sent Umar ibn Saad to him, and he fought fiercely with them in Karbala until they were martyred while thirsty.
Reference: As-Seerah an-Nabawiyyah wa Akhbar al-Khulafa min ath-Thiqaat by Ibn Hibban: 2/557, 558
Imam Ahmad ibn Abdullah al-Ajli, may Allah have mercy on him (died 261 AH), says:
وقُتِلَ الحسين بن علي بن أبي طالب بكربلاء، قتله عُبيد الله بن زِياد
Sayyiduna Hussain ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with them) was martyred in Karbala; he was killed by the order of Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad.
Reference: Ath-Thiqaat by al-Ajli, edited by Qalaji: p. 119, number: 291
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
وعبيد الله لا ريب أنه أمر بقتله وحمل الرأس إلى بين يديه. ثم إن ابن زياد قتل بعد ذلك لأجل ذلك
And there is no doubt that Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad ordered the killing of Sayyiduna Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) and commanded that his head be brought before him. Later, Ibn Ziyad was killed for the same crime.
Reference: Majmu' al-Fatawa:4/507
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
عبيد الله بن زياد أمير الكوفة لمعاوية ولابنه يزيد وهو الذي جهز الجيوش من الكوفة للحسين بن علي رضى الله تعالى عنهما حتى قتل بكربلاء
Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad was the governor of Kufa on behalf of Sayyiduna Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) and his son Yazid, and he is the same person who prepared the army from Kufa against Sayyiduna Hussain ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with both of them) until he was martyred in Karbala.
Reference: Ta'jil al-Manfa'ah:1/840, No. 686
Note: The last three statements of this section are taken from the article "Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad" by Maulana Arshad Kamal (may Allah preserve him). (Noor al-Hadith: Issue January to February 2021, pp. 30-31)
In summary:
Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad was the original governmental commander, organizer, and responsible party for the killing of Sayyiduna Hussain رضي الله عنه. The statements of the hadith scholars and memorizers clearly indicate that he sent an army against Sayyiduna Hussain رضي الله عنه, arranged the battle, and gave the order for his killing. Although the direct killers, i.e., those who wielded the swords, were from his army, the killing is attributed to Ibn Ziyad because the command, the dispatch of the army, and the entire operation were under his authority and management.
Hafiz Ibn Hibban رحمه الله writes that Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad sent Umar ibn Saad towards Sayyiduna Hussain رضي الله عنه, then he fought fiercely with him in Karbala until you رضي الله عنه were martyred thirsty. Similarly, the scholars have also clarified that Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad ordered the killing of Sayyiduna Hussain رضي الله عنه and to bring his head before him.
Therefore, Ibn Ziyad will be included among the killers of Hussain in the sense that he was the commander, organizer, and the main governmental authority responsible for this killing, although the direct killers were members of his army. The methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah regarding such a person is to disassociate from his oppression; he is not worthy of sympathy, love, or defense. His matter is entrusted to Allah Almighty in the Hereafter, but in this world, calling his oppression oppression, disassociating from the killers of Hussain, and loving the Ahl al-Bayt (may Allah be pleased with them) is the clear stance of the people of faith.
Imam Al-Ajli, may Allah have mercy on him
عمر بن سعد بن أبي وقاص مدني ثقة، كان يروي عن أبيه أحاديث، وروى الناس عنه، وهو الذي قتل الحسين، وهو تابعي ثقة
Umar ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas Al-Madani was a trustworthy Tabi'i, he narrated hadiths from his father and people narrated from him, and he is the one who killed Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him).
Reference: Al-Thiqat by Al-Ajli, edited by Qal'aji: p. 357, number: 1230
Imam Yahya ibn Ma'in, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
قال سألت يحيى بن معين عن عمر بن سعد أثقة هو؟ فقال كيف يكون من قتل الحسين بن علي رضي الله عنه ثقة.
The narrator says: I asked Yahya bin Ma'in, may Allah have mercy on him, about Umar bin Sa'd: Is he trustworthy? He replied: How can a person who killed Husayn bin Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, be trustworthy?
Reference: Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil - Ibn Abi Hatim:6/111 No:592
Allama Ibn Abdul Barr, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
إنما نسب قتل الحسين إلى عمر بن سعد لأنه كان الأمير على الخيل التي أخرجها عبيد الله بن زياد إلى قتال الحسين، [وأمر عليهم عمر ابن سعد]، ووعده أن يوليه الري إن ظفر بالحسين وقتله
The attribution of the killing of Sayyiduna Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, to Umar bin Sa'd is because he was the commander of the mounted army that Ubayd Allah bin Ziyad sent to fight Sayyiduna Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him. Ubayd Allah bin Ziyad appointed Umar bin Sa'd as their commander and promised him that if he could capture and kill Sayyiduna Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, he would grant him the governance of Rayy.
Reference: Al-Isti'ab fi Ma'rifat al-Ashab - edited by Al-Bajawi: (Ibn Abdul Barr) 1/394
Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him
عمر بن سعد، أمير السرية الذين قاتلوا الحسين رضي الله عنه، ثم قتله المختار
Umar bin Sa'd was the commander of the army that fought Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, and then he was killed by Mukhtar.
Reference: Siyar A'lam al-Nubala - Al-Resalah edition: (Shams al-Din al-Dhahabi) 4/349
Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him
عمر بن سعد بن أبي وقاص المدني نزيل الكوفة صدوق، ولكن مقته الناس لكونه كان أميرًا على الجيش الذين قتلوا الحسين بن علي
Umar ibn Saad ibn Abi Waqqas al-Madani, resident of Kufa, is truthful, but people held enmity against him because he was the commander of the army that killed Husayn ibn Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both.
Reference: Taqreeb al-Tahdheeb (Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani): p. 413, no. 4903
Note: This section (Umar ibn Saad) is taken from the article (Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad) by Maulana Arshad Kamal, may Allah preserve him.
Reference: (Noor al-Hadith: Issue January to February 2021, pp. 31-32)
In summary:
Umar ibn Saad was involved in the killing of Sayyiduna Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, in the sense that he was the commander and leader of the army sent by Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad to fight against Sayyiduna Husayn in Karbala. Although the direct killers, i.e., those who wielded the sword with their own hands, were among the army, Umar ibn Saad was the leader of the entire operation, so he cannot be separated from the responsibility of the killing.
In Arabic and historical style, the attribution of killing is not only directed towards the person who wielded the sword, but also towards the ruler, leader, commander of the army, and the responsible person. Umar ibn Saad accepted the leadership of the army on the orders of Ibn Ziyad, participated in the battle against Sayyiduna Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him), and did not dissociate himself from this oppression. For this reason, he will be included among the killers of Hussain.
Therefore, the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah regarding Umar ibn Saad is to disassociate from his oppression. He is not worthy of defense, nor of love or sympathy, nor should his role among the killers of Hussain be downplayed. His matter in the Hereafter is entrusted to Allah Almighty, but in this world, calling this oppression by its name, disassociating from the killers of Hussain, and loving Sayyiduna Hussain and Ahl al-Bayt (may Allah be pleased with them) is the clear stance of the people of faith.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar
شمر بن ذي الجوشن أبو السابغة الضبابي... ليس بأهل للرواية، فإنه أحد قتلة الحسين رضي الله عنه.
Shimr ibn Dhi al-Jawshan Abu al-Sabighah is not reliable according to the narration, because he is one of the killers of Husayn رضي الله عنه.
At the same place, the statement of Abu Ishaq al-Sabii is also narrated:
ثم يقول: اللهم إنك تعلم أني شريف، فاغفر لي، قلت: كيف يَغْفِر الله لك، وقد أعَنْتَ على قتل ابنِ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم؟!
He used to say: O Allah! You know that I am noble, so forgive me. I said: How will Allah forgive you while you helped in the killing of the grandson of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?
And Ibn Hajar رحمه الله said about Shimr's excuse:
قلت: إن هذا لعذرٌ قبيح، فإنما الطاعة في المعروف.
This is a very bad excuse, because obedience is only in good deeds.
Reference: Lisan al-Mizan - T Abi Ghuddah (Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani): 4/259, 260 No: 3826
Imam Muzi رحمه الله
وهو أبو شمر بن ذي الجوشن الذي شهد قتل الحسين بن علي
He is the father of Shimr ibn Dhi al-Jawshan, the same Shimr who participated in the killing of Husayn ibn Ali رضي الله عنهما.
Reference: Tahdhib al-Kamal fi Asma' al-Rijal (Al-Muzi, Jamal al-Din): 8/525
Imam Darqutni رحمه الله
شِمْر بن ذي الجَوْشَن ، قاتل الحُسَين بن عَليّ عليه السلام ، وعلى قاتله اللعنة والغضب.
Shimr ibn Dhi al-Jawshan was the killer of Husayn ibn Ali عليه السلام, and curse and wrath be upon his killer.
Reference: Al-Mu'talif wal Mukhtalif – Al-Darqutni: 1/518
Hafiz Ibn Asakir رحمه الله
شمر بن ذي الجوشن... وهو تابعي، أحد من قاتل الحسين بن علي، وحدث عن أبيه.
Shimar bin Dhi al-Jawshan was a Tabi'i, one of those who fought against Husayn ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with them), and he narrated from his father.
Reference: Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir: Vol. 23, p. 186, No. 2762
Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him
شمر بن ذي الجوشن، أبو السابغة الضبابي. عن أبيه، وعنه أبو إسحاق السبيعي. ليس بأهل للرواية، فإنه أحد قتلة الحسين رضي الله عنه.
Shimar bin Dhi al-Jawshan, Abu al-Sabigha Dhababi, narrates from his father, and from him Abu Ishaq al-Sabi'i narrated. This narration is not reliable because he is one of the killers of Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him).
Reference: Mizan al-I'tidal (Shams al-Din al-Dhahabi): 2/280, No. 3742
It is understood that Ibn Ziyad, Umar, and Shimar are all from Kufa and all three are among the killers of Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him). Our challenge is that just as we have proven these three Kufi miscreants to be "killers of Husayn" by the testimony of esteemed scholars such as Yahya ibn Ma'in, Ajli, Ibn Taymiyyah, Dhahabi, and Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on them), similarly, let anyone prove their innocence.
It was absolutely correct for the noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to declare the Kufis as the killers of Hussain. To our knowledge, there is no Companion, Tabi‘i, or trustworthy and reliable narrator who has acquitted Ibn Ziyad or either of his two commanders from the killing of Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him).
Note: The last three statements in this section are taken from the article of Maulana Arshad Kamal, may Allah preserve him, titled (Ubaidullah bin Ziyad).
Reference: (Noor al-Hadith: Issue January to February 2021, pp. 32-33)
