A Short Play on Imam Hussein's companion, Saeed bin Abdullah Hanafi

Narrator 1: Salaam Alaikum. As we get closer to chehlum, we realize that we have learnt a lot more about Imam Hussain and have hopefully implemented their message into our own lives. However, we stand before you to present a few rare incidents about Imam Hussain's companions – who were ordinary people - just like us. Inshallah from this also we will be able to see the heights a person can reach, by being one of the chosen companions of Imam Hussain. Inshallah we will get the taufiq to be one of the chosen companions of our own imam.

Narrator 2: So today, we are going to present to you some stories which we do not hear about very often, stories of Imam's companions who stood beside him till their last breath. As we all know, Imam Hussain had close to a hundred companions, and each of them put their own lives on hold and left their families to go and die for the Imam.

Narrator 1: Our first example of this is a man we all know about: Saeed bin Abdullah Hanafi. Although all of us do not know him by name, we know him as the companion who – along with Zuhair bin Qain stood in front of the Imam during Zuhr namaaz to protect him from the arrows coming toward them from the enemy camp. We are going to show you how Saeed came to join Imam's army, and how he became such a loyal companion to the Imam to the point where he gave his life for the Imam.

Narrator 2: As we all know Muslim bin Aqeel had been sent to Kufa by the order of the Imam. Once he reached he got such an warm welcome that he sent a letter to the Imam urging him to come to Kufa. However, the companions deserted Muslim and he was left alone, but more than anything he wanted to send a letter to the Imam telling him not to come to Kufa. So he gave a letter to Saeed

(curtain opens)

HAZRAT MUSLIM: Ya Allah I have been left alone and will be killed as destined. Oh Sayeed I give you this responsibility to handover this letter to our master Imam Hussain (a.s) so that he may turn away from the route to Kufa and go elsewhere otherwise he will also be killed. May Allah be with you.

SAEED: As you say my Master. I shall not leave the company of our master. May Allah protect you.

(curtain closes)

Narrator 2: Saeed leaves Kufa and goes towards the Imam to warn him about the situation in Kufa and to give him Muslim's letter.

(curtain opens)

SAEED : My salaams be on you ya Imam. This is a letter from Hazrat Muslim and he advises you to not proceed to Kufa.

IMAM: May God bless you O Saeed.

SAEED: Maula I wish to join your army.Please accept me as your soldier!

IMAM: You are most welcome O Saeed!

(curtain closes)

Narrator 1: On the day of Ashura we have learnt about how the companions of Imam Hussain have sacrificed their own lives for the sake of the Allah. There was one companion by the name of Shaheed Abdullah bin Omair Kalbi.He had come to Kufa from Madina along with his wife to serve the AhlulBayt. (curtain opens) He had just been killed on the battlefield and his wife was sitting with him

(opens with the companion been shot by an arrow and lying on the ground)

WIFE: (sitting next to the dead body) O Abdullah! You have entered Paradise, take me along with you. (Enemy comes with an axe and while talking strikes her and she falls martyred).

(curtain opens)

Narrator 2: Another companion of the Imam whose name was Hars bin Amraul Qais was known for his bravery and nobility.When he went into the battlefield (curtain opens) he saw his uncle coming against him.

(uncle and companion standing against each other with swords)

UNCLE: have you come to kill me , your uncle?

HARS:I agree that you are my uncle, no doubt about that but Allah is my Lord and you have come here against Him.

UNCLE: Alright then ... (takes out sword towards Hars while Hars hits him and he dies. Hars fights few more ppl and becomes shaheed also --- show fighting with 2-3 enemies)

(curtain closes)

Narrator 1: Due to Hars' bravery, three people from Yazid's army got influenced, joined the Imam's army and were later shaheed.

Narrator 2: Soon it was time for Zuhr namaz. (curtain opens) The Imam, despite being in a battle was preparing for namaz:

IMAM: (sitting while azaan is going on for Zohr prayers) Put the mats for Namaaz!

ANOTHER COMPANION: Mawla the enemy forces are endlessly pointing out their swords. Forgive me but are we goin to pray in such a situation? You might be hurt!

IMAM: We can't miss the namaz. However, we will be reciting namaz e-khauf.

SAEED: I will protect my Imam even if these swords pierce deep in my chest. (try showing swords being shot)

(mats laid.)

Narrator 1:  Imam starts praying while Saeed protects Imam and as he said, he did fight the swords on his chest as long as Imam prayed...

(show this happening)

Narrator 2: After Imam finished his prayers and sajda e shukr, Saeed fell infront of Imam saying...

SAEED: Ya Imam please forgive me for any disobedience I've made if any ...

IMAM: You have been martyred as a shaheed and fear not ... you are forgiven and Allah is happy and pleased with you!

(He passes away in Imam's arms)

(curtain closes - everyone comes on stage)

Narrator 2: After Zuhr namaz the battle continued however, Imam's companions had all become shaheed, and so the Imam's family went to fight, and they too became shaheed.

Narrator 1: Imam Hussain said that he was the one who had the best companions, better than any other Imam's companions, except for Imam Zamana's, so let us all pray that we will join Imam Zamana's army and will become shaheed for the sake of Islam.

Narrator 2: To conclude our program, we would like to thank you all and hope that you have learnt something new from our play. Now let us all hold hands and recite dua e-wahda

(Curtain opens with everybody on stage and everybody reciting dua e wahda)