During his journey to Kufa, Imam Hussain (A.S) came across several other caravans. He would speak to them and deliver sermons as an ambassador of Islam & Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W). Among one of the caravans that met Imam Hussain (A.S) and transformed their lives to become the Shaheeds of Karbala, was Wahb Bin Kalbi, his mother, and newly wedded wife.
Historians state that Wahb Bin Kalbi and his family followed & practised the Christian faith. They were travelling opposite Kufa & crossed paths with Imam Hussain (A.S).
Wahb recently got married and was heading to homeland with his wife and old mother. While both caravans settled at one spot to spend the night, Wahb and his family learned about Imam Hussain (A.S) and their motive to travel to Kufa. Wahb, his mother & wife got so impressed by Imam Hussain (A.S) that they decided to accompany them in their struggle. Many historians believe that it was at this moment Wahb and his family embraced Islam.
The Day of Ashura: Wahb Bin Kalbi & his family Redifines Devotion with Imam Hussain (A.S)
When Hazrat Al-Hurr (A.S) got martyred, and the sahaba of Imam Hussain (A.S) kept presenting their lives in the name of Allah, Wahb Bin Kalbi walked towards Imam Hussain (A.S) & had a conversation that set a new example of devotion.
Wahb Bin Kalbi, accompanied by his mother & wife, asked permission to enter into war and achieve the rank of shaheed. Few historians said that Wahb and his family embraced Islam at this moment.
Imam Hussain (A.S) answered:
“Wahb! You have an aged mother and got married a few days ago. It won’t be fair to them to send you to war.”
Wahb Bin Kalbi said:
” Oh Imam Hussain (A.S)! My mother and wife are standing here. Please ask them what they want”.
The answer of both prestigious women left an everlasting mark on history is Islam. Wahb’s mother said:
” I shall not forgive Wahb if he won’t enter the battlefield and list his name among shaheeds”. The reply left Imam astonished.
He asked Wahb’s wife about her views. In reply, she laid two conditions that inked her name as a most respectful woman of Islam:
” I have two conditions to send Wahb to the battlefield. First, you have to make him promise that on the day of judgment, he will not enter Jannah without me. Second, after Wahb is martyred, I want to stay with Bibi Zainab (A.S) as her servant”.
Imam Hussain (A.S) answered:
“For your first condition, Wahb doesn’t have to make you a promise. Instead, I promise you that on the day of judgement, you two shall be together forever.”
The Fearless Warrior: Wahb Bin Kalbi (A.S)
Wahb Bin Kalbi (A.S) entered the battlefield and challenged the Yazidi Army. When a soldier came to his battle, Wahb Bin Kalbi (A.S) waved his sword and killed the Yazidi soldier in just one strike. He galloped on his horse, entered the Yazidi camp, and kept killing whoever came in his way.
Umar Bin Saad, the General of Yazid’s Army, screamed:
“What is the matter of you? Can you not control just one companion of Hussain Ibn Ali?”
The whole army attacked Wahb Bin Kalbi (A.S), during which an arrow struck his horse. When Wahb fell from his horse, a Yazidi soldier cut off his head and ended the life of a brave soldier who left his faith to follow the footsteps of Imam Hussain (A.S) just days ago. It is said that Wahb killed 40 Yazidi soldiers alone.
Many historians have written that Wahb’s mother ran to the battlefield to collect the head of his brave son. But the most one of the most detested figures of Islam, Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan killed the old mother of Wahb (A.S). Hence it is noted that she was the only woman to embrace shahadat in Karbala. It is also noted that the wife of Wahb (A.S) passed away in the grief of his husband.