Qasim ibn Hasan

Qasim ibn al-Hasan (Arabic: القاسم بن الحسن‎) (Sha'aban 7, 47 AH /October 2, 667 CE – Muharram 10, 61 AH /October 10, 680 CE), supported his uncle Husayn Ibn Ali in fighting off the Umayyad forces during the Battle of Karbala where he was killed[1][2] in his teens.[3]

Qasim Ibn Hasan Ibn Ali القاسم ابن الحسن
Arabic text with the name of Qasim ibn Hasan
Born	Sha'aban 7, 47 AH /October 2, 667 CE Medina, Umayyad Caliphate
Died	Muharram 10, 61 AH / October 10, 680 CE / 13 years old Karbala, Iraq, Umayyad Caliphate
Burial	Imam Hussain Mosque
Father	Hasan ibn Ali
Mother	Umm Farwa

Early life

Qasim was born the son of Hasan ibn Ali, the second Imam, and his wife Umm Farwa. His father was the elder son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah, and Qasim was thus a great-grandson of the prophet Mohammad, father of Fatimah.

Qasim was only three years old when his father died. However, he grew up in the company of his paternal family. Like his cousins, Awn and Muhammad, the sons of his paternal aunt Zaynab, Qasim were taught fencing by his uncle Abbas ibn Ali and cousin Ali Akbar.[4] When Hasan's brother Husayn ibn Ali prepared to leave Medina in 680, Qasim's mother Umm Farwa asked Husayn to take her and the young Qasim with him.[2]

Battle

Preparation

Qasim asked his uncle, "Will I also be among the martyrs?" Husayn ibn Ali replied: "How do you see death?" Qasim said, "O uncle, death to me is sweeter than honey."[5]

Ashura

On the day of Ashura, Qasim, like other cousins before him, went to his uncle to ask for permission. Husayn would not permit him to fight because he was too young and Husayn could not bear the thought of anything happening to him. Qasim asked many times before going to his mother. When his mother saw that her son was upset, she gave him a letter that Qasim's father had written before he died. The letter stated:

My son Qasim, a day will come when my brother Husayn will be facing an enemy army of tens of thousands. That will be the day when Islam will need to be saved by sacrifice. You must represent me on that day.[4]

Qasim read the letter and gave to his uncle. After reading the letter Husayn said,

O my brother's son, how can I stop you from doing what your father wanted you to do? In the Name of Allah, go! Allah be with you!"

He went to the battlefield and killed many fighters. A man came from behind and struck Qasim on the head. He fell to the ground, bleeding heavily.[4] He called out for his uncle. Husayn and Abbas rushed over. The army of Yazid got scared thinking they were coming to attack them, creating confusion. Horses began running from one side to another, trampling and killing Qasim.[6] Husayn and Abbas called out for him, but no reply came. When they found his body Husayn as took off his abaa and with Abbas collected his remains.

See also

• List of casualties in Husayn's army at the Battle of Karbala
• Sakinah bint Husayn

References

1. Mahmoud M. Ayoub (1 January 1978). Redemptive Suffering in Islam: A Study of the Devotional Aspects of Ashura in Twelver Shi'ism. Walter de Gruyter. p. 117. ISBN 978-3-11-080331-0.
2. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-01-01. Retrieved 2013-12-31.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. Ibn El-Neil (1 November 2008). The Truth About Islam. Strategic Book Publishing. p. 208. ISBN 978-1-60693-259-9.
4. Abbas, Zaynab (23 September 2004). "Hazrat Qasim (as) – coolness of Imam Hassan (as)'s heart". Jafariyanews. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
5. Bashir A. Datoo (2006). Perspectives on Islamic Faith and History: A Collection of Analytical Essays. TTQ, INC. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-879402-17-1.
6. "The Night of al-Qasim ibn Hassan hold in Stockholm, Sweden / Photos". Ahlul Bayt News Agency (press release). October 17, 2015.