Concern for Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)

Below is an incident which exemplifies the profound love and concern that the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) had for the Ahl-e-Bayt. We clearly see, from this incident, that Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his beloved mother, Hazrat Asmaa bint ‘Umais (radhiyallahu ‘anha), showed great concern for Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) when he fell ill, and they remained with him to nurse him and take care of him.

Hazrat Abu Asmaa (rahimahullah), the freed slave of Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), reports that on one occasion, he accompanied Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his master, Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), from Madinah Munawwarah to perform Haj. Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the Khalifah at that time.

While travelling to Makkah Mukarramah, they met Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was also travelling to perform Haj, but had fallen ill in a place named ‘Arj. He continued travelling while ill, but was eventually forced to stop in Suqyaa due to his illness intensifying. Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his freed slave, Hazrat Abu Asmaa (rahimahullah), remained with Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in order to nurse him and take care of him until he recovered.

As the days of Haj drew closer, Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) could no longer wait as he was the Khalifah and needed to lead the people in Haj. However, Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) remained with Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and continued to see to him. After some time had passed, Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) began to fear that if he did not set out in a few day, his Haj would be missed.
He thus sent a message to Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his respected wife, Hazrat Asmaa bint ‘Umais (radhiyallahu ‘anha), who was his mother, asking them to come to Suqyaa so that they could attend to Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) until he recovered. After Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat Asmaa bint ‘Umais (radhiyallahu ‘anha) arrived in Suqyaa, Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) set out for Makkah Mukarramah.

Hazrat Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) indicated to his father, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), regarding the severe pain that he was experiencing in his head. Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) shaved his head and then slaughtered a camel on his behalf as compensation for shaving his head while he was in the state of ihraam.

Note: Hazrat Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was the mother of Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), as she was initially married to Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). After the demise of Hazrat Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), she had married Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and after his demise, she had married Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Muwatta Imaam Maalik #165 and Awjaz-ul-Masaalik 7/261)