Honorable Hazrat Khadijah (RA) was the first wife of Allah’s last Messenger (ﷺ). Apart from a son, Ibrahim (RA), all the offspring of the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) are from honorable Lady Hazrat Khadijah (RA). Among the four daughters of the Noble Prophet (ﷺ), the youngest is honorable lady Hazrat Fatimah (RA). All sons and daughters of the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) passed away during his lifetime except Lady Hazrat Fatimah (RA), who passed away shortly after his demise. At that time,honorable Lady Hazrat Fatimah (RA) had two sons: the elder, Imam Hasan (RA), who was about seven years old, and the younger, Imam Hussain (RA), who was around six years old. Hazrat Ali (RA) and honorable lady Hazrat Fatimah (RA)’s two sons were coolness for the heart and fragrant flowers of the Prophet’s household. As the day of the 10th of Muharram draws near, the tragic story of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) begins to echo through the homes, bringing sorrow and grief to every corner.

Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) had not yet appeared in this world when the Prophet’s aunt had a dream. She was Umm-e-Fazl, renowned by the name of Umm-e-Fazl. She stated, ‘I presented myself for service to the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him that I had seen an unpleasant dream. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked, ‘What did you see?’ She said, ‘It was an extremely distressing dream.’ Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked, ‘Tell me, what did you see?’ She said, ‘I saw as if a part of your (ﷺ) body had been severed and that part was placed in my lap.’ Upon hearing this, the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘You have seen a good dream.’ He then interpreted the dream, saying, ‘InshaAllah, a son will be born to Fatimah, and that child will be in your lap.’ (Silsilah Sahiha)

Dear readers! This most beautiful child was born into this world, and the Prophet (ﷺ) named him Hussain (RA). Lady Umm-e-Fazl says that the interpretation was fulfilled in such a way that one day this child was in my lap. After that, there came a day when I placed little Hussain (RA) in the blessed lap of the Prophet (ﷺ). Seeing this, tears flowed from both eyes of the Prophet (ﷺ). He asked, ‘What happened?’ She said, ‘Gabriel came to me. He told me that soon my nation will martyr this son of mine.’ I asked in amazement, ‘Him?’ Gabriel said, ‘Yes.’ Gabriel even brought the red soil of his grave before me.’ (Silsilah Sahiha)

Allah made it clear through a dream to His Messenger (ﷺ) that Imam Hussain (RA) was a blessed part of his noble grandfather’s body. Those who attacked Imam Hussain (RA) in Karbala targeted the blessed body of the Prophet (ﷺ). Another point is that the status of Imam Hussain (RA) is so elevated that the soil of his blessed grave, the same soil Gabriel brought, was presented before the Prophet (ﷺ). This is the excellence of the martyrdom of Hussain (RA), a distinction seen when comparing the companions and the world of Ahl al-Bayt; such uniqueness and distinction belong solely to Sayyidina Hussain (RA).

Likewise, another tradition is that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) informed Umm al-Mu’minin Umm Salamah (RA), ‘An angel has come to me whom I have never seen before. He said, ‘Your son, Hussain, is martyred. If you wish, I can show you the red earth of that land where he will be martyred.’ You (ﷺ) told me that the angel brought red-colored soil.’ (Silsilah Sahiha)

SubhanAllah! It must be noted that such realities surpass mere dreams, illustrating the greatness of the news of Hussain’s martyrdom in the eyes of Allah. Firstly, the leaders of angels, Gabriel, brought this news himself and attended the service of the Prophet (ﷺ). Then, the red soil was presented in the presence of the Prophet (ﷺ). May my life be sacrificed for the grandeur of Hussain (RA), whose proclamation was made by the Lord Most Merciful many years before His beloved Prophet (ﷺ).

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘People! I am leaving behind two precious things, if you hold fast to them, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and my family (Ahl al-Bayt).’ (Tirmidhi, Sahih)

Imam Jamal al-Din Ansari writes in ‘Lisan al-Arab,’ ‘Atrah’ is singular, and ‘al-Atar’ is its plural. It is a plant that grows in the regions of Tihama and Yemen. When it receives pure water from springs, its usefulness increases. As a plant, its berries and fruits are as red and juicy as the date palm. It is also known as greenery. Its roots, when cut, release milky white water useful for chest ailments. Imam Jamal al-Din further writes that the branches and branches of this plant are described as the tree of lineage, and they return to their origin after incidents and difficulties.

Readers! The Prophet (ﷺ) used the word “Atrah” to refer to the family in a broad sense. Hasan and Hussain (RA) are the Prophet’s (ﷺ) family.

Imam Jamal al-Din takes the meaning that “Atrah” is also called “Asl,” meaning that it is the story of the Prophet (ﷺ) returning to his family after difficulties and incidents. When the Governor of Kufa, Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad, intended to kill Imam Hussein (RA)’s only son, Imam Ali ibn Hussein, also known as Zain al-Abidin (RA), he did not hesitate with the heroic role of Hazrat Zainab bint Ali (RA), Allah saved him. Now, the fragrance of Hussain’s family. This is the common fragrance of Islam. It is the fragrance of humanity. Let’s all gather and scent our hearts and minds.