Imam Husayn

Birth

3 Sha'ban, 4 AH (Medina)

Martyrdom

10 Muharram, 61 AH - the Day of Ashura (Karbala)

Kunya

Abu Abdillah

Relation

Second son of Imam Ali and Fatimah; the third Imam

He refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid ibn Mu'awiya, departing Medina for Mecca and then toward Kufa at its people's invitation. Besieged at Karbala, he was martyred with his family and companions on the Day of Ashura, 61 AH - an event central to Shia faith and devotional life - after which the surviving women and children were taken captive.

Standing against injustice whatever the cost - the central theme of Ziyarat Ashura and the Karbala visitations.