The Lamentation of the Owl on Ĥusain عليه السلام

2. Ḥukaym ibn Dāwūd ibn Ḥukaym narrated to me from Salamah ibn Abil Khaťťāb, from Ḥusain ibn ‘Ali ibn Sā’id Al-Barbari – who was the custodian of the grave of Imam Riďā عليه السلام, from his father, who said: I went to (Imam) Riďā عليه السلام and he asked me, “What do people say about owls?” I replied, “May I sacrifice myself for you! We have come here to ask you (about this).” Imam عليه السلام said: At the time of my grandfather, the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, owls used to live in palaces, houses, and developed structures. When people used to eat, owls would fly and sit next to them and people would throw (their) food to them and give them water, after which they would return to their abodes. However, when Ḥusain عليه السلام was killed, the owls abandoned the developed structures for wreckages, mountains, and deserts and they said, “What an evil nation you are! You have killed the son of your Prophet’s daughter. We will never feel safe with you again.”

3. Muḥammad ibn Ja’far Al-Razzāz narrated to me from his uncle Muḥammad ibn Ḥusain ibn Abil Khaťťāb, from Ḥasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Faďďāl, from someone who said: Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq عليه السلام) said: Verily owls fast during the day and after they break their fast, they are extremely bewildered with grief over Ḥusain ibn ‘Ali عليه السلام until morning.

4. ‘Ali ibn Ḥusain ibn Mūsā narrated to me from Sa’d ibn ‘Abdillāh, from Mūsā ibn ‘Umar, from Ḥasan ibn ‘Ali Al-Maythami, (from Ya’qūb ibn Shu’ayb Al-Maythami), who said: Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imam Sādiq عليه السلام) asked, “O Ya’qūb! Have you ever seen an owl during the day?” I replied, “No.” Imam عليه السلام asked, “Do you know why that is?” I replied, “No.” Imam عليه السلام said, “It is because during the day, owls abstain from eating that with which Allāh has sustained them. At night, after breaking their fast with their sustenance, they keep chanting with grief over Ḥusain ibn ‘Ali عليه السلام until morning.”