Abū Thumâmah is the kunyah of 'Amr ibn abd Allah al-Saidi one of the eminent followers of Imam al-Husayn (a). According to some reports, he was a companion of Imam 'Ali (a) and took part in his battles alongside him. Thereafter, he was also a companion of Imam al-Hasan (a).
He was a resident of Kufa. After the death of Mu'awiyah, he was one of those who wrote letters to Imam al-Husayn (a) urging him to rise. When Muslim ibn 'Aqil arrived in Kufa as an envoy of Imam al- Husayn (a), Abū Thumamah was one of his trusted followers. He was active in procuring arms and wealth [for the movement]. Muslim placed him in charge of the soldiers from the quarter of Tamim and Hamdan, and it was his men who laid siege to Ibn Ziyad in the government mansion.
When the people of Kufa deserted Muslim, Abū Thumamah left Kufa and joined Imam al-Husayn (a) in Karbala, becoming part of a group of men who were dedicated to the Imam (a) and prepared to lay down their lives for him.
One of the outstanding and brilliant acts of this great man - which has been etched in the history of Ashura - is his reminder that it was midday and the time for the noon prayer. The prayer was performed during the heat of battle on the day of Ashura.
On hearing the words of Abū Thumāmah, Imam al-Husayn (a) raised his head and said, "You have mentioned prayer; may God raise you in the company of those who prayed and remembered Him [often]! Yes indeed, the time for prayers has just entered." Then he said, "Ask them to stop [their attack] so that we may observe the prayer."
After a number of companions of Abū 'Abd Allah (a) had been martyred, Abū Thumâmah came to the battlefield and attacked the enemy lines. In the end, he was martyred in combat against Qays ibn 'Abd Allah and joined the roll of the martyrs of Karbala.
He has been mentioned in both Ziyarat al-Rajabiyyah and Ziyarat al-Nahiyah al-Muqaddasah, where we read, "Peace be upon Abū Thumamah, 'Amr ibn 'Abd Allah al-Şa'idi.""
Ref: Tarikh al-Tabari, vol. 5, p. 439-41; al-Kamilft al-Tarlkh, vol. 2, p. 567.
KARBALA INSPIRES US......
Karbala inspires us to uphold the principles of faith and devotion even amidst the most challenging circumstances. Abū Thumâmah, a dedicated companion of Imam al-Husayn (a), reminded those around him to not neglect their prayers, even in the midst of the battle. His reminder was a powerful call to maintain spiritual discipline, leading Imam al-Husayn's camp to pause and perform their prayers in the face of adversity. If they could prioritize their prayers despite the chaos of battle, what excuse do we have for neglecting our own daily prayers? Let their example inspire us to be steadfast and consistent in our devotion, making our prayers a central part of our lives no matter the challenges we encounter.