Sa'd ibn Hanzala al-Tamimi (r.a.)
Companion of Imam Husayn (a), The Reciter
A devoted companion of Imam Husayn (a) from the Tamim tribe, known for reciting Quranic verses to exhort the enemy before his martyrdom.
- Born
- Unknown, Kufa
- Died
- 10 Muharram 61 AH (680 CE), Karbala
- Cause of death
- Martyred in the Battle of Karbala fighting the Umayyad army.
Early Life and Lineage
Sa'd ibn Hanzala al-Tamimi (sometimes cited as Hanzala ibn As'ad al-Shibami in certain historical discussions due to manuscript variations) was a noble companion of Imam Husayn (a). He belonged to the prominent Tamim tribe (or Shibam, a branch of Hamdan). He was highly respected in Kufa for his eloquence and knowledge of the Quran.
Role at Karbala
On the Day of Ashura, he stood bravely with Imam Husayn (a). Before entering the battlefield, he approached the Kufan army and eloquently recited verses from the Holy Quran, specifically from Surah Ghafir (verses 30-33), warning them of a day of distress and punishment, similar to the fate of past nations who rejected their prophets. He pleaded with them not to shed the blood of the grandson of the Prophet (s). According to sources on Al-Islam.org, Imam Husayn (a) appreciated his efforts and prayed for him, saying, "May Allah have mercy on you... They have become deserving of the punishment when they rejected your call."
Martyrdom
After his powerful exhortation, Sa'd requested the Imam's permission to fight. He entered the battlefield fighting fiercely against the forces of Umar ibn Sa'd until he was surrounded and attained martyrdom, defending the Ahl al-Bayt (a).