3rd Night of Muharram | Remembering a Devoted Servant of Ahlul Bayt (a.s)
By Momineen Quran Center | Online Shia Quran Classes Worldwide
🕊 Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Tonight is the 3rd night of Muharram, and the grief in our hearts grows heavier with each passing day. As we gather to mourn the tragedy of Karbala, our eyes overflow with tears, our voices echo with Marsiyas, and our chests beat with Matam for the martyrs who gave everything for Islam.
One such martyr was Janabe John (r.a)—a former slave, a devout Muslim, and a faithful companion of Imam Hussain (a.s). Though not related by blood, he was spiritually bound to the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) and gave his life in Karbala to uphold the truth.
🌑 Not All Martyrs Were from Bani Hashim
As we mourn Imam Hussain (a.s), Abbas (a.s), Ali Akbar (a.s), and Ali Asghar (a.s), let us also remember those whose love and loyalty to Islam transcended race, lineage, and status. Sixteen freed slaves stood by Imam Hussain (a.s) in Karbala—many of them from Ethiopia. They had the chance to escape, but not a single one abandoned their Imam.
Among them stood Janabe John, an elderly African companion who teaches us what true devotion looks like.
📜 Who Was Janabe John (r.a)?
Janabe John was originally gifted to the household of Imam Ali (a.s) and Bibi Fatima Zahra (s.a) by the famous Sahabi Abu Dharr al-Ghifari. He spent his life in their blessed company, learning the Qur’an, Tafsir, and the traditions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w).
He memorized the Holy Quran and remained a close companion of Imam Hasan (a.s) and later Imam Hussain (a.s). When Imam Hussain (a.s) left Madinah, John insisted on joining him, despite his old age.
⚔️ The Night Before Ashura: A Sword and a Qur’an
On the night of Ashura, while others were praying and preparing, Janabe John sharpened his sword while reciting verses of the Holy Qur’an. Despite being nearly 80 years old, he was eager to fight for his Imam.
At dawn, Ali Akbar (a.s) called the final Adhan of Karbala. The air was thick with pain, and the cries of “Al-Atash!” (Thirst!) echoed through the desert. Still, Janabe John remained strong in his faith.
🤲 The Moment of Permission
After the Zuhr prayers, Janabe John approached Imam Hussain (a.s), his eyes filled with pain. He said:
“Master, I can no longer bear the suffering of your family. Please, allow me to fight.”
Imam Hussain (a.s) responded tenderly:
“John, you are old. Jihad is not wajib for you. I cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself.”
John, with tears in his eyes, said something that shook the Imam:
“Is it because I am a black man, a former slave, that you do not want my blood to mix with yours?”
Imam Hussain (a.s) embraced him, weeping:
“Ya John! Never say that! You are my brother in faith. Go! And may Allah be with you!”
🏹 John’s Martyrdom
With permission, Janabe John mounted his horse, remembering his days with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w). On the battlefield, he addressed Yazid’s army:
“You call yourselves Muslims, yet you wish to kill the grandson of your Prophet? What has Hussain (a.s) done to you?”
But they would not listen.
John fought with unmatched bravery. Eventually, arrows rained from all sides, and the elderly warrior fell. With his last breath, he called:
“My Master! Let me see you once more!”
Imam Hussain (a.s), along with Abbas (a.s) and Ali Akbar (a.s), rushed to him. The Imam cradled John’s head in his lap.
“Forgive me, John… for I could not offer you even water before your death.”
“Master,” John replied, “I am honored to have died in your service. Look! The Prophet (s.a.w) has come to welcome me. Bibi Fatima (s.a) is here… Ali (a.s)… Hasan (a.s)…”
And with those words, Janabe John’s soul left for the eternal gardens of Heaven.
🖤 A Message for Today
Janabe John teaches us that loyalty to truth knows no color or class. His life was not one of comfort, yet his faith, knowledge, and love for the Ahlul Bayt (a.s) made him one of the honored martyrs of Karbala.
🕌 At Momineen Quran Center… We Keep These Stories Alive
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Let us raise a generation that learns the Qur’an with the spirit of Karbala, the bravery of Abbas (a.s), and the loyalty of Janabe John (r.a).
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