Global Day of ‘Ali Asghar’ in South Lebanon

Abdullah Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn (April, 61 AH – Tenth of Muharram the 10th of October, 61 AH) was the youngest child of Husayn ibn Ali (the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the third Shia Imam) and Rubab (the daughter of the chief of the Kinda Imra al-Qays tribe). He is honored by Shias as the youngest person to die at the Battle of Karbala.

Abdullah “Ali al-Asghar” (“Youngest Ali”) ibn Husayn was born in Medina. He was one of the three sons of Husayn. The other two were Ali ibn Husayn, the fourth Shia Imam, and Ali Akbar ibn Husayn, who was also martyred by Yazid’s forces in the Battle of Karbala.

His sisters were Sakina (Rukayya), 4 years old, Sakinah (Fatema Kubra) and Fatema Sughra. Imam Husain took Ali Asghar in battlefield to show the condition of 6 month old child without water. Shia tradition relates that Ali al-Asghar was then subsequently killed by Harmala who shot an arrow that pierced his neck. According to Shia tradition, the arrow was three-headed. It has been recorded that the 6 month old baby moved his neck to protect the 3 headed spear from hitting his father. It has also been stated that it took Hurmula 3 attempts to shoot the arrow. He said he kept seeing the mother of Hussayn in front of his eyes. Ali Asghar’s death at 6 months old occurred on, 10 Muharram 61 AH, which is known as Ashura.

In Muharram ceremonies and commemorations, Ali al-Asghar is represented as an innocent child suffering unbearable thirst.