Shimr

Shimr, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimr_Ibn_Thil-Jawshan

Shimr Ibn Thil-Jawshan was a soldier in the Ummayad army during the battle of Karbala, in southern Iraq that occurred in the year 680 AD. He was the maternal uncle of Abbas ibn Ali.

In battle, he was responsible for beheading Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad. He was also instrumental in pillaging the camp of Husayn after raising his head on a post to declare his victory.

Although the apparent battle was won by the sadistic beheading, where Shimr began beheading the grandson of Muhammad. Shimr and his camp continued to pilliage the camp of Husayn which was only left with women and children and Husayn's son who was ill, and few belongings of no value. The army of Yazid then continued to ruthlessly drag this camp from Iraq to Syria by foot tied together with ropes.

This event, which occurred on the 10th day of the month of Muharram (October 10, 680), is known as Ashura and is commemorated by Muslims all over the world in different ways.

The battle of Karballa was prompted by Yazid ibn Muawiya's quest to obtain power over the Muslim world, which interestingly enough Husayn bin Ali expressed no interest in obtaining for himself.