Zuljanah

Zuljanah (Arabic: ذو الجناح, lit. 'Possessor of Two Wings') was the horse of Husayn, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the third Shia Imam. A grey Arabian horse, he was bred and raised by Muhammad himself. Zuljanah was known to be very loyal and famous for his strength, endurance and devotion. It is said that he shielded Husayn with his body and was injured taking an arrow meant for his master during the Battle of Karbala. When Husayn was brutally killed and beheaded, Zuljanah returned bloodied to his family, alerting them to the ambush and died after discharging his final duty. During Muharram, a decorated riderless horse representing the sacrifice is honoured by the devotees. Zuljanah holds a special place of importance in Shia Islam, and reverence in ta'ziya performances and mourning processions commemorating Husayn. He is also regarded as the Active Intellect, often compared to Buraq. He was renowned for his agility and speed in battle, and was given this name because of his swiftness, which was likened to that of birds. According to some accounts, Zuljanah was one of the horses of Muhammad, which Husayn inherited.