On the 7th of Muharram during the events of the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, the forces of Yazid ibn Muawiya, led by Umar ibn Sa’d, did indeed block the supplies of water to Imam Hussain (AS) and his family and companions.
Imam Hussain (AS) and his followers, who numbered a few dozen against a much larger army, faced a severe siege in Karbala. The forces loyal to Yazid intentionally cut off their access to water in an attempt to weaken their resolve and force them to surrender.
This act of blocking the water supply to the Imam’s camp added to the suffering and hardship endured by Imam Hussain (AS) and his followers. Despite the dire situation, they remained steadfast in their commitment to upholding principles of justice, morality, and standing against oppression.
The lack of water exacerbated the suffering of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, making it extremely challenging for them to endure the harsh conditions of the desert.
Despite their unbearable thirst and the hardships they faced, Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions remained steadfast in their stance against tyranny and oppression. They refused to submit to the illegitimate rule of Yazid, choosing instead to uphold their principles and values, even at the cost of their lives.
The water shortage crisis in Karbala added to the tragedy and has left a profound impact on the hearts and minds of Muslims, particularly among Shia Muslims who commemorate the events of Muharram, especially on the day of Ashura, by mourning and remembering the sacrifices made by Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions. The lessons of Karbala continue to be relevant as they serve as a symbol of resistance against injustice and a reminder of the importance of standing up for truth and righteousness.
The events of the Battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions continue to hold significant religious and historical importance for Muslims, particularly for Shia Muslims, who mourn and commemorate the tragedy during the month of Muharram, particularly on the day of Ashura (the 10th of Muharram).
7th Muharram Significance:
Historical Context of the 7th Muharram
On the 7th of Muharram, 61 AH, a pivotal and heart-wrenching event occurred in Karbala: the Umayyad forces, under orders from Yazid ibn Mu’awiya’s governor Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad, blocked access to the Euphrates River, cutting off water to Imam Husayn’s camp. This included not only the men but also women, children, and infants, intensifying their suffering in the scorching desert heat. The cry of “Al-Atash” (thirst) echoed through the camp, particularly among the children, as documented in multiple sources. This act of cruelty was a strategic move to weaken Husayn’s small group—numbering around 72 men, plus women and children—against an Umayyad army of thousands.[](https://al-islam.org/hidden-truth-about-karbala-ak-ahmed-bsc-bl/chapter-20-seventh-and-eighth-muharram)
Lesser-Known Historical Details
1. Strategic Intent of Water Blockade:
The decision to cut off water was not merely a tactical maneuver but a deliberate act of psychological warfare. Historical accounts suggest Ibn Ziyad’s orders aimed to break the morale of Husayn’s camp, forcing submission without direct combat. By targeting water—a basic necessity—the Umayyads sought to exploit the vulnerability of the camp’s non-combatants, particularly the children, to pressure Husayn into pledging allegiance to Yazid. This reflects the political motivations behind the Karbala tragedy, where Yazid’s regime sought to consolidate power by eliminating Husayn, seen as a threat due to his lineage and moral authority as the Prophet’s grandson.[](https://al-islam.org/hidden-truth-about-karbala-ak-ahmed-bsc-bl/chapter-20-seventh-and-eighth-muharram)[](https://theislamicinformation.com/blogs/muharram-important-dates-events/)
2. Abbas ibn Ali’s Efforts:
Hazrat Abbas (a.s.), Imam Husayn’s half-brother and standard-bearer, is often highlighted in the 7th Majlis for his desperate attempts to secure water. On the 7th or 8th of Muharram, Abbas led a small group of horsemen to the Euphrates, engaging in a skirmish with Umayyad guards led by Amr ibn al-Hajjaj. While they managed to fill a few leather bags, the water was insufficient, and during the chaos, much of it spilled when children rushed to drink. A lesser-known detail is the Shia tradition’s rejection of claims (e.g., by Ali Nazari Munfared) that Husayn miraculously accessed water by digging a well. Shia sources, including those from infallible Imams, emphasize that no water was available from the 7th until the 10th, underscoring the camp’s endurance of extreme thirst.[](https://al-islam.org/hidden-truth-about-karbala-ak-ahmed-bsc-bl/chapter-20-seventh-and-eighth-muharram)
3. Yazid ibn Husayn al-Hamadani’s Diplomacy:
A rarely discussed figure, Yazid ibn Husayn al-Hamadani, a companion of Imam Husayn, sought permission to negotiate with Umar ibn Sa’d, the Umayyad commander. His bold confrontation—refusing to greet Ibn Sa’d as a Muslim due to his role in besieging the Prophet’s grandson—highlights the moral courage of Husayn’s followers. Al-Hamadani’s plea for water was rebuffed, illustrating the Umayyads’ intransigence. This exchange, recorded in Shia sources, reveals the depth of loyalty among Husayn’s companions, even in the face of certain death.[](https://al-islam.org/hidden-truth-about-karbala-ak-ahmed-bsc-bl/chapter-20-seventh-and-eighth-muharram)
4. Hazrat Qasim’s Role and Debate:
The 7th Majlis often commemorates Hazrat Qasim ibn Hasan (a.s.), the teenage son of Imam Hasan (a.s.), Husayn’s elder brother. Qasim, around 13 or 14 years old, is said to have sought permission to fight on the 7th or 8th of Muharram, though some traditions place his martyrdom on Ashura (10th Muharram). A lesser-known controversy exists regarding his marriage to Fatimah Kubra, Husayn’s daughter, on the eve of battle. Some Shia narratives romanticize this as a symbolic union to ensure Qasim’s legacy, but critical scholars, like those cited in Al-Islam.org, argue this story lacks authentic backing and may be a later interpolation to evoke emotional resonance during majalis. The focus on Qasim’s youth and bravery—offering to fight despite Husayn’s initial refusal—underscores the sacrifice of even the youngest in Karbala.[](https://statetimes.in/procession-taken-out-to-commemorate-7th-day-of-muharram-2/)[](https://al-islam.org/tears-karbala-liakat-dewji/majlis-7-hazrat-qasim)
5. Environmental and Psychological Toll:
Beyond the physical deprivation, the psychological impact of the water blockade is rarely emphasized in popular narratives. The cries of “Al-Atash” from children, including infants like Ali Asghar (Husayn’s six-month-old son), created an atmosphere of despair. Yet, Husayn’s camp displayed remarkable resilience, refusing to compromise their principles. This steadfastness, despite extreme adversity, is a central theme in Shia theology, symbolizing resistance against oppression. The environmental context—Karbala’s arid desert, far from water sources—amplified the tragedy, a detail often overshadowed by the battle itself.[](https://al-islam.org/tears-karbala-liakat-dewji/majlis-7-hazrat-qasim)
Rare Knowledge and Critical Insights
Umayyad Propaganda:
Post-Karbala, Umayyad rulers allegedly fabricated hadiths to justify Yazid’s actions, downplaying Husayn’s martyrdom. Some Sunni traditions, deemed unreliable by scholars, trace Ashura fasting to pre-Islamic Quraysh practices, possibly to counter Shia narratives. This manipulation of religious memory highlights the political stakes of Karbala, a detail often glossed over.
Zaynab’s Role Pre-Ashura:
While Zaynab bint Ali’s mourning gatherings post-Karbala are well-known, her role in maintaining morale during the water crisis is less highlighted. As a leader among the women, she comforted the children and supported Husayn’s resolve, laying the groundwork for her later role as Karbala’s chronicler.