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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Uprising of Ashura and Responses to Doubts Why Did Imam al-Husayn (as) Bring his Family to Karbala? Another question brought forth for discussion is why Imam al-Husayn (as) brought his family to Karbala while he knew very well that a brutal battle would ensue between him and the army of Kufah and that this battle would end with his martyrdom and his family being taken into captivity. Why would he bring his (as) along on this dangerous journey?

First response There have been various responses provided for the above-mentioned question. One of the answers is that it was a prevalent custom among the Arabs of that time to bring their families and wives to the battlefield. Objection This response does not meet the needs of our question because it brings other questions to mind: Why did the Arabs bring their families to the battlefield?

Even if it is true that this custom did exist among the Arabs, what benefit and gain would there be in bringing one’s household to a battlefield? Was it usual for Imam al-Husayn (as) to follow or imitate the customs and social practices of the Arabs? Was Imam al-Husayn (as) not following Allah’s decree when he brought his family and newborn children to the battlefield?

Second response Another answer put forward as a possibly correct response is that Imam al-Husayn (as) knew that he bore a great divine mission on his shoulders. The mission was to bring about social awareness and consciousness in the Muslim ummah . For fulfillment, this mission had to traverse different stages. One of those stages was fulfilled by the martyrdom of certain individuals.

Another stage would have to reach fulfilment after the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (as) and his companions, and was accomplished by way of speeches and open and public display of the oppression imposed upon Imam al-Husayn (as) and his (as) by Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah’s government. Only with the manifestation of this second stage does the divine mission of Imam al-Husayn (as) become complete. This second aspect was well fulfilled by the household of Imam al-Husayn (as) and the captives of Karbala.

Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah wanted to secure his position and government by killing Imam al-Husayn and then later claiming that he had only been compelled to do so because Imam al-Husayn (as) had strayed from the religion.