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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Karbala and Ashura Preface Historical Background Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, grandson of the . Husayn was born on the 3rd of Sha’ban, in the fourth year of Hijrah (625 CE).

His grandfather, Muhammad, named him Husayn, which means ‘one of beautiful character.’ The Holy Quran refers to the , his daughter Fatimah, her husband ′Ali, and their two sons Hasan and Husayn, in the Verse, “Indeed, Allah wants to take away pollution from you, O, People of the House, and purify you [by a special kind of] purification. ”[^1] The Prophet indicated many times that the people of his House were the most qualified for leadership.

Referring to Hasan and Husayn, he said, “These two are my sons. They are two Imams (leaders).” During the lifetime of the Prophet, Abu Sufyan, his family, and other influential families of Mecca tried to stop the Prophet in any way they could. They even attempted to murder him, but they failed. Later, after the Prophet’s death, Abu Sufyan’s son—Muawiyah claimed to be the leader of the Islamic Nation.

′Ali, the cousin of the Prophet and the true leader of Muslims after the Prophet’s death, defended the Islamic Nation against Muawiyah who formed an alliance with the Byzantine Empire and waged war from his capital, Damascus. Although ′Ali challenged Muawiyah to settle their dispute one‑on‑one rather than with armies, Muawiyah always refused. Eventually, ′Ali was murdered during his prayers.

To attempt justice and peace, Imam Hasan, the true leader of Muslims after ′Ali’s death, signed a peace treaty with Muawiyah on the 5th of Jumada I, in the year 41 Hijrah (661 CE). The following is a translation of the original treaty: “In the name of God, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful. The following shows how Hasan Ibn[^2] ′Ali Ibn Abi Talib made peace with Muawiyah Ibn Abu Sufyan.