Before Ashura
What caused Yazid to become the caliph of the time?
Imam Hassan (a.s) and Muawiya (l.a) had a peace treaty that Muawiya could be the caliph as long as he wouldn't make his son Yazid (l.a) the next caliph after him and would instead choose Imam Hussein (a.s) to be the next caliph.
How many people died from Hussein (a.s)'s army on Ashura?
72 People approximately.
What happened after Ashura?
The women and Imam Sajjad (a.s) got taken as prisoners and got whipped on a journey to Kufa.
What is the significance of Arbaeen and how many days after Ashura does it occur?
Arbaeen is the 40th day after Ashura when people mourn Imam Hussain (a.s); it is the largest peaceful gathering in the world.
What did Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s) do to spread the message of Karbala after returning to Madinah?
He wept constantly, narrated the events, made du’as, and taught people through wisdom-filled prayers like Sahifa Sajjadiya.
What caused the Battle of Karbala?
Yazid (l.a) forced Imam Hussein to pledge allegience to him. However, Imam Hussein did not agree, because he knew that if he pledged allegience, then Yazid (l.a) would change Islam.
Imam Hussein (a.s)
Was there an interaction between Imam Ali (a.s) and Lady Zainab (s.a) after Imam Hussein was martyred?
It is said that Lady Zainab saw a man coming on a horse, it is said that she then shouted: "Leave us, o man! You have already taken everything from us!" And then the man reached and took off his mask and said: "O Zainab, it is me, your father, Ali (a.s)."
Who returned to Karbala on Arbaeen and what did they do upon arriving?
Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s), Lady Zainab (s.a), and the caravan returned. They wept on the graves, did matam, and buried the heads with the bodies.
What did Lady Umm Kulthum (s.a) and Lady Zainab (s.a) do after the tragedy to continue the mission of Imam Hussain (a.s)?
They gave majlis in Madinah and Shaam, spreading the truth about Karbala and awakening the hearts of the people.
Was there a martyr of Karbala before Karbala? And who was it?
Muslim ibn Aqeel was sent to Kufa to see if the people were loyal to Imam Hussein (a.s), but he got martyred by the Kufans.
What did Hazrat Abbas go to the battlefield to get? And for who?
Where did they start journeying towards next after Kufa?
After they and Hussein (a.s)'s head was paraded through the streets of Kufa, they later left to go towards Shaam, to the palace of the cursed Yazid (l.a).
Who were the companions that journeyed with Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari to Karbala on Arbaeen?
Jabir was accompanied by Atiyya al-Awfi. He was the first man to visit the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s).
What were some of the effects on the Muslim Ummah after hearing the truth about Karbala from the Ahlulbayt (a.s)?
People began to revolt against Yazid (la), feel guilt, and movements like Tawwabin and Mukhtar’s uprising began.
Who stopped Imam Hussein (a.s) from heading to Kufa?
Hurr stopped him from going to Kufa and told him to go towards Karbala, without knowing that this mistake would lead to Hussein's martydom and his family.
What was the name of the 6 month old baby that got shot by an arrow and what was the size of the arrow?
Ali Asghar (a.s) got martyred on the battlefield by a 3 pronged arrow after Imam Hussein lifted him up into the sky to ask them to give water.
What did the prisoners from Ahlulbayt (a.s) face on their journey from Kufa to Shaam? Mention at least one hardship.
They were paraded through towns without hijab, tied in ropes, made to walk barefoot, and were insulted and thrown stones at.
What was the reaction of the people in Shaam when they saw the prisoners of Ahlulbayt (a.s)?
Some mocked and celebrated, thinking they were rebels. Others cried when they learned the truth.
What happened to Yazid (la) after the events of Karbala and the backlash from the people?
He lost support, faced rebellions, and eventually died in disgrace. His rule collapsed soon after!
What dream did Imam Hussein (a.s) see before leaving Madinah
He saw Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), he told him about how he does not want to go to war, he does not want to leave, he wants to be with the Prophet. The Prophet told him that he must, and after he becomes a martyr in Karbala, he will return to Allah and be with Prophet Muhammad.
[ULTRA HARD QUESTION] Who was Zayd ibn Ali (r.a); How and why did he get martyred?
What legacy did Karbala leave behind that continues to this day in Shia Islam?
Eternal mourning of Ashura, the message of justice, Arbaeen Ziyarat, and deep love for Ahlulbayt (a.s) till today and forever!