Abdullah ibn Urwa al-Ghifari
Noble Companion from Kufa
A noble from Kufa and descendant of a loyal companion of Imam Ali. He and his brother bravely fought and died for Imam Husayn.
- Born
- Kufa, Iraq
- Died
- 10th Muharram 61 AH (680 CE), Karbala, Iraq
- Cause of death
- Martyred on Ashura defending Imam Husayn in close combat
Lineage and Loyalty
Abdullah ibn Urwa al-Ghifari belonged to the respected Banu Ghifar tribe. He and his brother, Abd al-Rahman, were noblemen of Kufa. Their family had a deep-rooted history of loyalty to the Ahl al-Bayt; their grandfather, Harraq al-Ghifari, was a renowned and faithful companion of Imam Ali (a.s.) who had fought under his banner in various battles. Inheriting this legacy, Abdullah did not hesitate to support Imam Husayn (a.s.).
The Ultimate Sacrifice
When Imam Husayn arrived at Karbala, Abdullah and his brother managed to join the Imam's camp. On the Day of Ashura, witnessing the multitude of the enemy and the dwindling numbers of the Imam's defenders, the two brothers approached Imam Husayn together. With tears in their eyes, they sought permission to enter the battlefield. They fought with tremendous bravery, striking the enemy ranks until Abdullah was heavily wounded and ultimately martyred. His devotion is forever remembered in the Ziyarah al-Nahiyyah.
Further Reading
Explore more about the Ghifari brothers at Al-Islam.org: The Martyrs of Karbala and WikiShia.