Zuljanah

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Zuljanah (Arabic: ذو الجناح) was the horse of Husayn ibn Ali. The original name of Zuljanah was Murtajiz and he was purchased by Muhammad from an Arab named Haris. It features prominently in the traditional retelling of the story of the Battle of Karbala. It is thought to have been a white stallion.

According to the legend, when Husayn was a mere child and learning to crawl, he used to go frequently to the stable of Zuljanah and look at him. Once the Muhammad said that his grandson was looking curiously at the horse as if some mysterious conversation was taking place so he asked the child if he wished to ride the horse.

On being answered that he did, Muhammad ordered the horse saddled. When Husayn approached the horse, however, the horse suddenly lowered itself to the ground to allow the boy to mount him.

All those watching were pleased at the sight, except for one: tears began to flow down Muhammad's cheeks. When asked why, on what should be a happy occasion, he was weeping, Muhammad replied:

"You are not aware of what I foresee. A day will come when my grandson will not be able to keep himself in the saddle due to his extremely wounded condition and this very horse "Murtajiz" will then dismount my grandson on the burning sand of the “Desert of Karbala” with the same consideration, stooping on his four legs and sitting on the ground as he has just done here.”