Ĥusain (a.s.): “The Master of the Martyrs”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: Go to the Ziyārah of Ḥusain (a.s.) and do not be disinclined to it. Verily he is the Master of the Youth of Paradise from among the creation and he is the Master of the Martyrs.

I asked Abā ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) in Madīnah, “Where are the graves of the martyrs (of Uḥud)?” Imam (a.s.) replied: Is not the best of the martyrs – referring to Ḥusain (a.s.) – (buried) near you?! I swear to He who has my life in His Hand that there are four thousand angels around the grave of Ḥusain (a.s.) who are disheveled, covered with dust, and who cry over him (and will continue to do so) until the Day of Judgment.

I was with Abī ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) and I had sent someone to rent a donkey for me so that I could go to the graves of the martyrs (of Uḥud). Imam (a.s.) asked me, “What prevents you from going to the Ziyārah of the Master of the Martyrs?” I asked, “Who is he?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Ḥusain (a.s.).” I asked, “What is the reward for going to his Ziyārah?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “One purified Hajj and ‘Umrah as well as this much reward.” Um Sa’īd added that the Imam (a.s.) extended his arms out and then closed them three times (to explain ‘this much reward’).

I went to Abī ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)). While I was with him, (my) bondmaid came to me and said, “I brought the sumpter for you.” Imam (a.s.) asked me, “O Um Sa’īd! What is the sumpter for and where do you intend to go?” I replied, “I want to go to the Ziyārah of the graves of the martyrs (of Uḥud).” Imam (a.s.) said, “Postpone it for today. How strange are you people of Iraq?! You come to the Ziyārah of the martyrs (of Uḥud) from a long distance but you neglect going to the Ziyārah of the Master of the Martyrs!” I asked, “Who is the Master of the Martyrs?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Ḥusain ibn ‘Ali (a.s.).” I said, “(I do not go to his Ziyārah because) I am a woman.” Imam (a.s.) replied, “There is nothing wrong with women like you going to his Ziyārah.” I asked, “What is the reward for going to his Ziyārah?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “The reward of one Hajj and one ‘Umrah, I’TIKĀF for two months in Masjid Al-Ḥarām while fasting, and this much reward.” Um Sa’īd added that the Imam (a.s.) extended his arms out and then closed them three times (to explain ‘this much reward’).

I entered Madīnah and I rented a donkey (and a guide) to go to the Ziyārah of the graves of the martyrs (of Uḥud). However, I thought that I should start by visiting the son of the Messenger of Allāh (s.a.a.w.) (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)). So I went and saw the Imam (a.s.), and I delayed the guide a little. The guide raised his voice (to make me hurry). (When the Imam (a.s.) heard him) he asked me, “What is this about, O Um Sa’īd?” I replied, “May I sacrifice myself for you! I have rented a donkey to go to the Ziyārah of the graves of the martyrs (of Uḥud).” Imam (a.s.) asked, “Should I not tell you about the Master of the Martyrs?” I replied, “Yes.” Imam (a.s.) said, “(It is) Ḥusain ibn ‘Ali (a.s.).” I asked, “Is he truly the Master of the Martyrs?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes.” I asked, “What is the reward for those who go to his Ziyārah?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “The reward of Hajj and ‘Umrah and this much reward.”

I entered Madīnah and I rented a mule (and a guide) to go to the Ziyārah of the graves of the martyrs (of Uḥud). However, I thought to myself that no one is more worthy of being visited first than Ja’far ibn Muḥammad (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)). Therefore, I went and saw the Imam (a.s.) and I delayed (the guide a little). The guide raised his voice and said, “May Allāh keep you well! You are delaying me!” (When the Imam (a.s.) heard him) he said to me, “O Um Sa’īd! It looks like someone (is waiting for you and) wants you to hurry.” I replied, “May I sacrifice myself for you! I have rented a mule to go to the Ziyārah of the graves of the martyrs (of Uḥud) but I thought to myself that no one is more worthy of being visited first than Ja’far ibn Muḥammad (a.s.).” Imam (a.s.) asked, “O Um Sa’īd! What prevents you from going to the Ziyārah of the Master of the Martyrs?” (When the Imam (a.s.) said this), I hoped that he would reveal the location of the grave of ‘Ali ibn Abī Ťālib (a.s.) for me so I asked, “May I sacrifice my father and mother for you! Who is the Master of the Martyrs?” Imam (a.s.) replied, “Ḥusain, son of Fāťimah (a.s.). O Um Sa’īd! Whoever goes to him longing for him and with insight (of his status) will earn the reward of a purified Hajj and ‘Umrah and he will have this much reward.”

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq (a.s.)) said: All of the martyrs wish to be with Ḥusain (a.s.) so that they can enter Paradise with him.