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Abu Wahab Abdullah ibn Umayr

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Abu Nasara
Abu Wahab
Omayr
عُمَيْر
Omayr written in Islamic calligraphy
Died10th Muharram 61 AH/10 October 680 AD
Karbala, Rashidun
Cause of deathDecapitation
Burial placeImam Husayn Shrine
Other names
  • Abu Nasrani (nickname)
  • Abu Wahab
  • and others
SpouseWahab bint Abd
MotherHabbab Al-Kalbi

Omayr (Template:Lang-ar) also known by his kunyas Abu Nasrara (Template:Lang-ar) and Abu Wahab (Template:Lang-ar, 'Abu Wahab) was a Christian soldier, who fought in the Battle of Karbala, in which he was martyred. Omayr belonged to the tribe of Banu al-Alim or the tribe of Banu Kalb.[1][2][3]

Before being a soldier, Omayr was a well known businessman of Kufa.[4][5][6] In the Battle of Karbala, he was essential leader in the left wing of Husayn's army. Omayr killed 31 Umayyad soldiers, and became well-known was for his courage and soldierly experience.[7] Later on, the Umayyad forces surrounded and captured him. Omayr was then decapitalized and his head was thrown to his mother. His wife, Wahab bint Abd was also assassinated.[8][9][10][11]

Omayr was described as a tall and masculine man with broad shoulders, who was held with high esteem among his people.[7] He is buried at the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, which is visited by Muslims every year. Highly honored by Muslims and Christians, Omayr is known as the 'Christian Martyr of Karbala'.[12]

Name

Some sources suggest that Omayr's full name was Abdullah ibn Omayr ibn Wahab ibn al-Kalbi (Template:Lang-ar).[13][14] The name Omayr means 'Alive'.[15] Al-Kalbi is probably a title, because many sources suggest that Omayr belonged to Banu Kalb.[3]

Biography

According to a source, the name of Omayr's mother was Habbab al-Kalbi. Al-Tabari suggests that Omayr was from the Banu al-Alim tribe.[16] However, some other sources suggest that Omayr was from the Banu Kalb tribe.[3][2]

Assassination

According to Abu Makhnaf, when Kufis were preparing to fight Husayn, Omayr confronted them and asked them about their intentions. Kufis told that they would fight Husayn and Omayr then went to his wife Wahab bint Abd and informed her of his intention. It is reported that Wahab bint Abd said: "God has guided you to a good path, do so and take me with you". So he went out with his wife at night and joined Husayn.[17][18] When Omayr asked for the permission, Husayn granted him permission believing him to be match for both the challengers.[18] Omayr was inspired by Al Husayn’s spiritual charisma in such a manner that he was reluctant to leave him despite of being aware about the consequences of staying with Husayn ibn Ali.

When Omayr stepped into the battlefield of Karbala, his challengers asked his identity to which he introduced himself. However the challengers could not recognize him and refused to fight him. Yasir was standing nearby to whom Omayr said "You son of the adulteress! Do you not wish to fight me?"[18] saying this he attacked Yasir and engaged him in a sword duel but at the same time Salim charged at him with his sword. Omayr while protecting himself lost fingers of his left hand and in retaliatory attack he killed Salim and Yasir. After killing both of them he moved back to Husayn while reciting Martial poetry.[18]

Then, Omayr participated in the retaliatory attack when Shimr attacked Husayn's right wing.[19] Omayr in that engagement killed 31 of them, of which 19 were horsemen and 12 were footmen.[19] His right hand was severed by Hani ibn Thabit and left hand by Bakr ibn Hayy having left without arms, he was taken captive and according to some sources, was a put on a cross.[20][21][22] Then, Omayr's head was cut off and thrown towards Husayn's camp.[19] According to Al-Tabari, Omayr became the second martyr in the Battle of Karbala.[23]

Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, where Omayr is buried

After Omayr's head was thrown, his mother Habbab picked it up, took it and wiped her son's blood from it and then ran in the direction of the enemy forces. Husayn sent her back saying that she was exempted from participating in Jihad.[20][24][25] Omayr's wife Umm Wahab went to his corpse and wiped out the dust and the dirt from his head as well as his face.[26] According to weak sources, Wahab had a conversation with Husayn shortly before her assassination. She asked: "'Are you the rightful Imam ?' Husayn replied: 'Yes, I am.' She said: 'Then if Wahab dies protecting you, he would go to the Paradise?' Husayn said: 'Yes, he would.' Then she said:'Can you promise me that you would not let Wahab enter Paradise without me ?' Husayn said:' Yes, I promise you, you and Wahab will enter Paradise together.'[3] At this time, Shimr ibn Dhil's servant Rustam striked the woman's head with a spear, causing Umm Wahab to be killed.[26][27][28][29]

After Umm Wahab was also killed, Omayr's mother Habbab is reported to have said "You wicked people! I bear witness that the Christians in their churches are better people than you".[30] Habbab was still not allowed to fight in the battle as Husayn instructed.[18][25][31] Habbal is also reported to have said: “May both my parents be sacrificed for you! Do defend the good ones, the offspring of Muhammad, Allah's peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny.”[18]

Legacy

Omayr is highly honored by both Muslims and Christians for his sacrifice in the Battle of Karbala. He is buried in the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala. Every year, Muslims, as well as Christians, visit the site for commemoration on Ashura.[32] There is a quote for Omayr which is recited on Ashura:[33]

If you do not know me, I am the son of the club and a descendant of the learned, and that is enough for me. I am a strong man of courage and I am not a tongue-in-cheek when I am in trouble. I am responsible for fighting them with spears and swords; Hitting a servant who believes in the Lord.

— Quote for Omayr

See also

References

  1. ^ Al-Tabari, History of Nations and Kings: 1387 AH, vol. 5, p. 429.
  2. ^ a b "FarsNews Agency Home Page". www.farsnews.ir. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  3. ^ a b c d "The Story of Karbala - Part 5 ABDULLAH BIN WAHB AL-KALBI". Retrieved 2010-12-20.
  4. ^ "The second phase of the battle of Karbala" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-12-20.
  5. ^ Manfarid, Ali Nazari. The story of Karbala, translated from Persian by Sayid Husain Alamdar.
  6. ^ Naqvi, Sayed Mohsin. The tragedy of Karbala.
  7. ^ a b Al Muqarram, Abd al Razzaq. "The First Campaign". Maqtal Al Husayn: Martyrdom Epic of Imam al Husain [as]. pp. 190–191.
  8. ^ "The second phase of the battle of Karbala" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-12-20.
  9. ^ Manfarid, Ali Nazari. The story of Karbala, translated from Persian by Sayid Husain Alamdar.
  10. ^ Naqvi, Sayed Mohsin. The tragedy of Karbala.
  11. ^ Tarih-i Tabari (1968). tarikh al-umam wa-al-muluk. Vol. 5. Beirut: Dar-i Seveydan. pp. 429–430.
  12. ^ Stand With Dignity. "Wahab: The christian martyr of Karbala". Stand with Dignity. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  13. ^ "The First Campaign". www.al-islam.org. 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  14. ^ Stand With Dignity. "Wahab: The christian martyr of Karbala". Stand with Dignity. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  15. ^ "Omayr Name Meaning | Variant of Umair | Islamic Baby Name Meanings, Answers and Advice". Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  16. ^ Al-Tabari, History of Nations and Kings: 1387 AH, vol. 5, p. 429.
  17. ^ Al-Tabari, History of Nations and Kings: 1387 AH, vol. 5, p. 429.
  18. ^ a b c d e f Al Muqarram, Abd al Razzaq. "The First Campaign". Maqtal Al Husayn: Martyrdom Epic of Imam al Husain [as]. pp. 190–191.
  19. ^ a b c "The First Campaign". www.al-islam.org. 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  20. ^ a b Al Muqarram, Abd al Razzaq. "The Left Wing". Maqtal Al Husayn: Martyrdom Epic of Imam al Husain [as]. p. 194.
  21. ^ Ashub, Ibn Shahr. Al Manaqib. Vol. 02. p. 217.
  22. ^ Al Athir, Ibn. Maqtal al Husayn. Vol. 02. p. 013.
  23. ^ Al-Tabari, History of Nations and Kings, 1387 AH, vol. 5, p. 436.
  24. ^ Al Qazwini, Radiyy Al Deen. Tazallum Al Zahra. p. 113.
  25. ^ a b Tabari, Al. Tarikh. Vol. 06. p. 245.
  26. ^ a b "Umm Wahab - The First Female Martyr in Ashura". www.al-islam.org. 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  27. ^ Al Muqarram, Abd al Razzaq. "The Left Wing". Maqtal Al Husayn: Martyrdom Epic of Imam al Husain [as]. p. 194.
  28. ^ Al Tabari, Al. Tarikh. Vol. 06. p. 251.
  29. ^ Ahmad. Musnad. Vol. 02. p. 100.
  30. ^ Stand With Dignity. "Wahab: The christian martyr of Karbala". Stand with Dignity. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  31. ^ Al Athir, Ibn. 04. p. 037.
  32. ^ "Who-was-hussein-and-why- ..." 12 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  33. ^ Baladhuri, Logarithms Supervision, 1417 AH, vol. 3, p. 190; Noiri, The End of Arb, 1423 AH, vol. 20, p. 447
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