Al-Husayn ibn Ali al-Abid facts for kids

Al-Husayn ibn Ali al-Abid was an important leader from the family of Ali ibn Abi Talib, who was a cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Al-Husayn led a rebellion in the city of Medina against the Abbasid caliph al-Hadi. He and many of his supporters were killed in a battle called the Battle of Fakhkh. This battle happened near Mecca on June 11, 786. Because of this, he is often remembered as the Man of Fakhkh.

Who Was Al-Husayn?

His Family and Early Life

Al-Husayn's father was Ali al-Abid. He was a great-grandson of al-Hasan ibn Ali, who was a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Al-Husayn's mother was Zaynab. She was also related to al-Hasan ibn Ali.

Both of Al-Husayn's parents were known for being very religious. His father even chose to join his relatives in prison. They were put in jail by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur. His father died in prison in 763.

Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyya was Al-Husayn's mother's brother. He led a big revolt against the Abbasids in Medina in 762. So, Al-Husayn grew up in a family that was very religious. They also secretly disliked the Abbasid rulers.

However, Al-Husayn had a good relationship with the third Abbasid caliph, al-Mahdi. Caliph al-Mahdi ruled from 775 to 785. He gave Al-Husayn money and even freed a prisoner for him. People told many stories about Al-Husayn. They said he loved helping the poor. He was very generous and did not care much about money.

Why Did Al-Husayn Rebel?

The Start of the Revolt

Caliph al-Mahdi died in July 785. Soon after, Al-Husayn and his followers started a revolt in Medina. They hoped to take advantage of the new caliph, al-Hadi. Al-Hadi's position was not yet strong.

Around May 16, 786, Al-Husayn and his friends tried to take control of Medina. Al-Husayn went to the pulpit in the Mosque of the Prophet. He wore white clothes and a white turban. This was a symbol of his cause. His followers promised their loyalty to him there. He took the name 'the One pleasing to God from the house of Muhammad'.

The Battle of Fakhkh

The rebels could not get many ordinary people to join them. The local army quickly fought back. Over the next few days, Al-Husayn's supporters, who wore white, fought the Abbasid army, who wore black. The Abbasids won these fights. They pushed Al-Husayn's group into the Great Mosque area.

It was clear that Al-Husayn's uprising in Medina had failed. So, on May 28, he left the city for Mecca. He had about 300 followers with him.

On June 11, 786, Al-Husayn's small group met the Abbasid army. This happened in a valley called Fakhkh. It was about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) northwest of Mecca. Several Abbasid princes were in Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage. They had their own armed groups.

In the battle, Al-Husayn and over a hundred of his followers were killed. Many others were taken prisoner. Some Alids managed to escape. They mixed in with the Hajj pilgrims. Among those who escaped were Idris and Yahya. They were brothers of Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyya. Idris later went to North Africa. In 789, he started the Idrisid dynasty in what is now Morocco. His brother Yahya started another revolt in 792.