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Based on primary and reliable Shia sources, could you state the precise age, the manner of martyrdom, and the blessed name of Ali al-Asghar, the son of Imam Husayn (AS)? To properly examine and understand this issue, it is necessary to analyze multiple historical sources. An exploration of these sources reveals points such as the existence of disagreement regarding the exact age, the manner of martyrdom, and the noble name of this child. Nevertheless, what is evident in all sources (even Sunni sources) and constitutes their common ground is the presence of a nursing infant of Imam Husayn (AS) who was martyred with utter cruelty. Just as in Ziyarat al-Nahiya al-Muqaddasa, where the phrase "Peace be upon the young nursing infant" (أَلسَّلامُ عَلَی الرَّضیعِ الصَّغیرِ) is used to greet him[1]; a fact that in itself is clear testimony to his injustice and righteousness. Regarding the exact age of this child, it must be said that a specific date of birth is not available, and some sources have been content with merely mentioning his name[2]. Abu Mikhnaf recorded his age as six months, while the author of Rawdat al-Safwa considered his age to be one year. Nevertheless, from authentic evidence and reports, it is clearly evident that this precious gem of the pearl of Imamate and Wilayah was in the period of infancy[3]. A noteworthy point is that the report regarding six months of age is not found in another version of Abu Mikhnaf's martyrdom account[4]; therefore, his exact age remains in a state of ambiguity. Regarding his noble name as well, there is disagreement among the sources. In some historical reports, his name is recorded as "Abdullah"; as Sheikh Mufid narrates: "Abdullah ibn Husayn was killed in childhood along with his father; while he was in his father's lap, an arrow struck him and he was martyred"[5]. In al-Tabari's history as well, he is referred to by the same name[6]; on the other hand, historians such as al-Khwarazmi[7] and Ibn Shahr Ashub[8] have mentioned his name as "Ali." Regarding the nature and manner of the martyrdom of this nursing infant as well, two narrations have been transmitted. The first view holds that his martyrdom took place in front of the tents. Sayyid ibn Tawus, accepting this view, narrates the event as follows: "Then Imam Husayn (AS) went towards the tent and said to Lady Zaynab (SA): 'Give me my little son so that I may bid him farewell.' Then he took him and bent down to kiss him when suddenly Harmala ibn Kahil al-Asadi — may the curse of God be upon him — shot an arrow towards him. The arrow struck the infant's neck and slaughtered him. The Imam said to Zaynab: 'Take him,' then he gathered his blood in his hands, and when it was full, he sprinkled it into the sky and said: 'What befalls me is sweet to me, for it is before the eyes of God'"[9]. The second narration states that the Imam brought the child to the field and in front of the enemy army; as stated in historical reports: "When Husayn (AS) saw that the enemies were insistent on killing him, he took a Quran, opened it, placed it on his head, and called out: 'Let the Book of God and my grandfather Muhammad, the Messenger of God, judge between me and you. O people! By what authority do you consider my blood lawful?!' Then he went towards one of his children who was crying from extreme thirst, lifted him onto his hand, and said: 'O people! If you do not have mercy on me, have mercy on this child.' At that moment, a man among them shot an arrow towards him and slaughtered him. Husayn (AS) was weeping and saying: 'O God! Judge between us and this people who invited us to help them but killed us.' At that moment, a call came from the sky: 'O Husayn! Leave him, for he has a wet nurse in Paradise'"[10]. The final and noteworthy point is the possibility of more than one child of Imam Husayn (AS) having been martyred in the event of Karbala; such that from the totality of historical narrations, such an indication is derived. Muhammad ibn Talha al-Shafi'i, in mentioning the children of Sayyid al-Shuhada (AS), considers them to be six sons (Ali Akbar, Ali Awsat, Ali Asghar, Abdullah, Ja'far, and Muhammad) and writes: "But Ali Asghar, while he was no more than a child, was struck by an arrow and was martyred... and also Abdullah (another son of the Imam) was martyred along with his father"[11]. In al-Ya'qubi's narration as well, it is stated: "The companions of Husayn (AS) advanced one after another and were martyred until he was left alone. While he was on horseback, a newborn infant, who had been born at that very moment, was brought to him. The Imam whispered the adhan in his ear and wiped his mouth when suddenly an arrow came, struck the child's neck, and slaughtered him. The Imam pulled the arrow from his neck and smeared his blood on the child's body"[12]. In another report, it is stated: "Husayn (AS) was sitting... and arrows were raining down from his left and right. A three-year-old boy was in front of the Imam when Uqba ibn Bashir al-Asadi shot an arrow towards him and he was martyred[13] ... Also, another child of the sons of Husayn (AS) ran to sit in his father's lap when a man shot an arrow and the arrow struck the hollow of his neck and he was killed"[14]. Conclusion An examination of numerous historical sources indicates that although there are disagreements regarding the name (Ali or Abdullah), the exact age (six months old, one year old, or a newborn), and the location of martyrdom (in front of the camp or on the battlefield) of this young child, and some reports even suggest the possibility of more than one child having been martyred, the very occurrence of this event is absolutely certain and a matter of fact. All sources are in agreement on this truth: that Imam Husayn (AS) had a nursing infant who was martyred with utmost injustice and cruelty; a clear proof of the injustice and the righteousness of Imam Husayn (AS). [1] . Al-Mazar al-Kabir, al-Mashhadi, Sheikh Abu Abdullah, p. 498. [2] . Tarikh al-Tabari = Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk, al-Tabari, Abu Jafar, Vol. 5, p. 468. [3] . From Medina to Medina (Martyrdom Account), Zahiri Tehrani, Sayyid Muhammad Jawad, p. 682. [4] . Encyclopedia of Imam Husayn Based on the Quran, Hadith and History, Mohammadi Ri-Shahri, Muhammad, Vol. 7, p. 33. [5] . Al-Irshad, Sheikh Mufid, Vol. 2, p. 135. [6] . Tarikh al-Tabari = Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk, al-Tabari, Abu Jafar, Vol. 5, p. 468. [7] . Maqtilat al-Husayn, al-Khwarazmi, Vol. 2, p. 37. [8] . Manaqib Ali Abi Talib, Ibn Shahr Ashub, Vol. 4, p. 109. [9] . Al-Luhuf ala Qutla al-Tuffuf, Sayyid ibn Tawus, p. 116. [10] . Tadhkirat al-Khawas, Subhi ibn al-Jawzi, p. 227. [11] . Matlub al-Sa'il fi Manaqib Ali al-Rasul, al-Nasibi al-Shafi'i, Muhammad ibn Talha, p. 257. [12] . Tarikh al-Ya'qubi, Ahmad ibn Abi al-Ya'qub, Vol. 2, p. 245. [13] . Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra – Tamimm al-Sahaba, Ibn Sa'd, Vol. 1, p. 470. [14] . Ibid., p. 471.
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