Compiled By Tabassum Ali , New York
The Prophet (S.A.W.) was walking with a companion called Mazahir when he Stopped and sat on the ground. He called Mazahir’s young son Habib to him and Hugged and kissed him. Mazahir said:
“O Prophet! What good deed has my son done to deserve such affection?”
With tears in his eyes the Prophet (S.A.W.) replied:
“O Mazahir! Whilst we were walking I happened to look at Habib. He was walking Behind my grandson Husayn and wherever Husayn stepped he lifted the dust From under Husayn’s feet and put it to his eyes in respect” O Mazahir! This Habib will come to my Husayn’s aid one day”
In Kerbala Imam called no-one for help except Habib. He wrote a letter to his childhood friend Habib who was in Kufa. He wrote that by the time Habib receives the letter Imam would be surrounded by the army of Yazid. Habib received the letter just as he was sitting down to have a meal with his wife. When he saw the letter his eyes were filled with tears. His wife asked him what the matter was. He said he had received a letter from Imam asking him to go to Kerbala.
To test his wife he said he was wondering what to do because he was worried about her. Habib’s wife got up and got her hijab. She told him to wear the hijab and stay at home and she would go to help the son of Fatima (A.S.)
She told him:
“Fatima’s son is calling you and you are wondering about me!!!!”
Habib said he was testing her and prepared to leave for Kerbala.
Kufa was surrounded by the troops of Ibn Ziyad. Habib sent his servant out of the city first and then managed to sneak out himself. When he reached the spot where his servant was waiting he heard the servant say to the horse :
“If my master does not come I will go to the aid of the son of Fatima”
His slave asked him if he too could accompany him to Kerbala. Habib freed him and they both rode towards Kerbala as fast as they could.
In Kerbala, Imam Husayn (A.S.) was distributing the weapons to all the Mujahids. There was one spear left when someone asked : ‘O son of the Prophet ! who is the last spear for?”
Imam replied:
“This one is for my childhood friend Habib.”
Just then Habib could be seen walking towards the camp. Imam ran forward to greet him. Bibi Zaynab (A.S.) would ask Fizza to find out who had arrived when there was the sound of horses. Everytime, Fizza would announce the arrival of more enemy troops. Suddenly, she said to Bibi Zaynab (A.S.) Our guest has arrived”.
Bibi Zaynab (A.S.) sent Fizza to Habib to convey her salaams.
Habib fought bravely on the day of Ashura. When he fell from his horse he cried out :
“O my master Husayn ! Help me!!”
When the caravan of the prisoners reached Kufa the soldier form Yazid’s army who had the head of Habib round his horse saw that a young boy was following him wherever he went. He asked the young boy what he wanted.
The young boy replied :
“You have the head of my father round your neck! Please give it to me!!!!!”
