Amr ibn Junada al-Ansari
The Young Martyr
A young boy, barely aged 11 or 12, who sought permission to fight after his father was martyred. His mother famously threw his severed head back at the enemy.
- Born
- c. 50 AH
- Died
- 10 Muharram 61 AH
- Cause of death
- Martyred in the Battle of Karbala
Early Life and Background
Amr ibn Junada al-Ansari was a very young boy, aged around 11 or 12, who traveled to Karbala with his parents. His father, Junada ibn al-Harith, was a loyal companion of Imam Husayn (A.S.) who was martyred during the first major assault on the morning of Ashura.
Role in Karbala
Following his father's martyrdom, Amr's mother commanded him to go to the battlefield to defend the Imam. Amr went to Imam Husayn (A.S.) to seek permission to fight. Seeing the young boy whose father had just been killed, the Imam initially hesitated, saying, "His father has just been killed; perhaps his mother does not want him to go to the battlefield." But Amr responded, "O son of the Messenger of Allah, my mother has ordered me to fight and equipped me with this sword!" Touched by their immense devotion, the Imam granted him permission.
Martyrdom
Amr entered the battlefield reciting moving poetry: "My leader is Husayn, and what an excellent leader! The delight of the heart of the Messenger of Allah." Despite his tender age, he fought bravely until the ruthless army struck him down. In an act of extreme brutality, the enemy severed his head and threw it towards Imam Husayn's camp. His brave mother picked up the head, kissed it, and threw it back at the enemy, saying, "We do not take back what we have sacrificed in the way of Allah!" She then took up a tent pole and attacked the enemy before the Imam called her back. This heartbreaking event is detailed in Martyrs of Karbala.