Hazrat Mohammad al-Hanafiyya

Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
On 1st of the Islamic month of Moharam in 81 AH, Mohammad al-Hanafiyya passed away at the age of 66. He was a son of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS), and his mother was Khowla, whom the Imam had married a couple of years after the martyrdom of his beloved wife, the Prophet's daughter, Hazrat Fatema Zahra (SA).
He was known for his piety, rectitude, and courage. During his father's caliphate, he was one of the four chief lieutenants, and distinguished himself in the Battles of Jamal and Siffin.
Because of ill health he did not accompany his brother, the Prophet's grandson, Imam Husain (AS), to Karbala, and after the tragedy, he was considered head of the House of Imam Ali (AS), since his nephew Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) preferred to keep a low profile.
It was in Mohammad al-Hanafiyya's name that Mukhtar Ibn Abu Obaida Saqafi launched the uprising in Kufa to avenge the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS).