The second grandson
Husayn b. Ali (a), the third Imam, was born in Madinah on 3 Sha'ban 4 AH, a year after his brother Hasan (a). The Prophet (s) named him, recited the call to prayer in his ear, and — the sources say — wept, for the angel had told him what would befall the child at Karbala. He called the two brothers the masters of the youth of Paradise and told the community that whoever loved him should love them.
Life
Husayn (a) was one of the five under the Cloak, one of the four whom the Prophet took to the Mubahila, and one of those about whom the Verse of Purification was revealed. He fought beside his father at Jamal, Siffin and Nahrawan, stood by his brother's treaty with Mu'awiya, and rebuked Mu'awiya openly for the murder of Hujr b. Adi and the nomination of Yazid. His Imamate began in 50 AH, and ten years later his refusal to pledge to Yazid led him to Karbala.
Observance
The third of Sha'ban opens the Sha'baniyya, the run of birthdays — Husayn, Abbas, Zayn al-Abidin and the Mahdi (a) — that makes the month a season of joy before Ramadan. Gatherings, poetry and the distribution of sweets mark the day; it is Guards Day in Iran.
Written for Shia Online Community. Dates and facts are checked against the references listed under Research & books; where the tradition records more than one date, all are given.
