Hussain was the grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam. Born in Medina Saudi Arabia in January 626AD, he was the son of Ali (Ali ibn Abi Talib) and Fatimah Zahra (the daughter of the Holy Prophet of Islam).

A peace treaty between Hussain’s brother and the caliph Muawiyah stated Muawiyah would not designate anyone as his successor after his death and to allow the people to decide. However, Muawiyah breached the peace treaty as he appointed Yazid as his successor. The majority favoured Hussain.

Many expected him to accept, as that would have brought him much power and worldly reward. However, he was the grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam and could not ignore tyranny and social injustice. He only wished to spread good values and prevent evil. His bloodline was pure and that is why he could never accept the governance of a corrupt leader.

One can never justify the killing of anyone, let alone the massacre of 72 individuals facing an army of 30,000 army troops. Muawiyah warned his son Yazid against mistreating Hussain and gave a final warning, saying “be careful not to confront Hussain except in a good way. Extend to him a free hand and let him roam the earth as he pleases and do not harm him. Be careful O my son, that you do not meet God with his blood, lest you be amongst those that will perish”.

Today, millions of people from different religions, backgrounds and ethnicities remember Hussain as the stand-alone figure who stood up for people rights to freedom and social justice. Him, his family and companions were brutally massacred one-by-one on the 10^th day of Muharram 680AD, yet tens of millions of people pay their respects to him in the city of Karbala, Iraq annually.

Good question. He was killed by his own horse after it lost control and his remains have never been found. He died at the age of 37.