Doubt
There are some Muslims who reject Mohsin Ibn Ali’s (a.s.) martyrdom. They maintain that Fatima (s.a.) and Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) did not have a son by that name. They reject all references in history of Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.) and shamelessly, even deny the attack on Fatima Zahra’s (s.a.) house.
Reply
It is surprising how any just and honest student of Islamic history can deny the existence of Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.) – the third son of Fatima (s.a.) and Ameerul Momineen (a.s.). History is most vocal on not just his existence but the brutal manner in which he was martyred by the companions, the usurpers of caliphate. Traditions even go as far as to detail the manner in which the killers will be punished on the Day of Judgment.
- Mohsin Ibn Ali’s (a.s.) martyrdom
While books of history are replete with references of his (a.s.) martyrdom, we have sufficed with the following from the Ahle Tasannun (Sunni) sources:
- Abu Abdillah Shams al-Deen al-Zahabi records in Mizaan al-Etedaal vol. 1 p. 139 – Undoubtedly Umar kicked Fatimah (s.a.) so much so that it lead to Mohsin’s miscarriage.
- Muhammad al-Shahrastaani records in Al-Milal wa al-Nehal vol. 1 p. 57 (Beirut Edition) – Umar struck Fatimah violently in the abdomen (on the Day of Allegiance) so much so that she fell on her abdomen (resulting in the infant’s death).
- Abdul Qadir al-Tamimi al-Baghdadi in Al-Farq bain al-Feraq p. 107 records on the same lines as above.
- Allamah Khalil Ibn Aybak al-Safdi in Al-Waafi be al-Wafayaat vol. 6 p. 17 records – The Motazelah sect is of the view that on the Day of Allegiance, Umar undoubtedly struck Fatima (a.s.) so much so that Mohsin (a.s.) was killed.
- Sadr al-Deen Ibraheem Ibn Sa’d al-Deen Muhmmad al-Hammuee in Al-Faraaed al-Simtain vol. 2 p. 35
There is an interesting tradition on how Allah the High will deal with the murderers of Mohsin (a.s.) – the son of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) and Fatima Zahra (s.a.).
Mufazzal Ibn Umar (r.a.) in a lengthy tradition from Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) relates, “On the Day of Resurrection, Khadijah bint Khuwailid and Fatima bint Asad, the mother of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) will come forth carrying Mohsin. They (a.s.) will be shrieking while his (Mohsin’s) mother – Fatima (s.a.) – will be reciting the verse, “This is your Day, which you were promised.”- Surah Anbiya (21): Verse 103 (and the verse), “(Remember) The Day (of Judgment) when every soul shall find present whatever it has wrought of good; and whatever it has wrought of evil, it will wish that the distance between it and himself was wide.” Surah Aale Imran (2): Verse 30).”
He (Mufazzal) said: At this Imam Sadiq (a.s.) wept copiously till his beard was soaked with his tears.
Then he (a.s.) said: May the eye not be cool that does not cry over this remembrance (of Mohsin)!
(On hearing this), Mufazzal wept for long.
Then he (Mufazzal) asked, “O my master! How many tears, my master (i.e. how much should one cry)?”
He (a.s.) retorted, “They cannot be numbered for the one worthy of them.”
Mufazzal asked, “O my master! What do you say about the verse – ‘And when the female infant buried alive is asked, for what sin she was killed?’.” (Surah al-Takweer (81): Verse 8-9)
He (a.s.) answered, “O Mufazzal! The female infant buried alive is Mohsin, by Allah, because he is from us and he is none other. If someone claims he is someone else, then he has denied him.”
Mufazzal inquired: O my master! Then what?
Imam Sadiq (a.s.) informed: Fatima (s.a.), daughter of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) will rise and she will say: O Allah! Fulfill Your promise and undertaking concerning me regarding the one who oppressed me, usurped my right, struck me and made me restless regarding all my children.”
Then all angels of the seven heavens, carriers of the Divine Throne, residents of the atmosphere, all in the world and under the layers of the soil will weep for her (a.s.) with their wailing and shrieking addressed to Allah, the High. Then none will survive from our killers and oppressors and those who were satisfied with what transpired with us except that he will be killed on that day a thousand killings.
- Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 53 pp. 23-24
Allamah Majlisi (r.a.) in the footnote of the aforementioned tradition writes: The author estimates that the thousand killings will be more severe than the Fire of Jaheem. We seek refuge in Allah from it.
- Killers of Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.) will be the first ones to be punished
Killers of Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.) will find a most painful chastisement awaiting them on the Day of Resurrection. Allah the Almighty will take them to task before all other tyrants and oppressors.
It is related that on the Day of Resurrection, the first person who will be rendered justice and called for judgment will be Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.). His murderer along with Qunfuz will be brought and flogged with whips of fire – a single strike of which is enough to dry up all the oceans of the earth and likewise a single strike on the mountains is enough to crush them into ashes. The murderers of Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.) will be struck with this whip.
- Behaar al-Anwaar vol. 28 p. 64
Conclusion
- Mohsin Ibn Ali’s (a.s.) martyrdom is a reality that cannot be denied, no matter how much effort and scheming goes behind it. Scholars of both sects have reported numerous traditions in this regard.
- The murderers of Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.) have a unique chastisement of a thousand deaths that is not found for other sinners. This tells us about the intensity of the crime.
- The murderers will be accounted for before every other sinner and oppressor. Again, this is a pointer towards how angry Allah is with the killers of Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.).
Allah’s punishment and anger are a stark warning to those who reject the martyrdom of Mohsin Ibn Ali (a.s.) under the most ridiculous pretext like the house of Fatima Zahra (s.a.) did not have a door! Denying Mohsin Ibn Ali’s (a.s.) martyrdom is not a lesser crime than killing him (a.s.).
