Who protected the headless bodies on the land of Karbala?
In order to prevent the plans given by Abaiduallah ibn Ziad (la) to Umar ibn Saad (la) to trench on the Holy body of Imam Hussain (as) and the martyrs of Karbala, Sayeda Zainab (sa) asked Lady Futha (the honourable and loyal servant of the Ahlul Bayt (as)) to go to a maqam (place) where a Lion would be waiting for her instructions.
This Lion had previously met Imam Ali (as) on his return from the Battle of Sifeen when he was passing through Karbala. He greeted the Lion and asked the Lion to protect the body of his son Imam Hussain (as) who would be killed on this land.
When Lady Futha addressed the Lion he raised his head to her. She asked “Do you know what these people intend to do to Aba Abdillah (as)? They intend to run horses over his body.”
The Lion became so angry that he rushed fearlessly to protect Imam Hussain (as) crying, and he kneeled over the Imam’s (as) body. When the horsemen came and saw the Lion in that position they became scared. Umar ibn Saad (la) told them “It is mischief. Do not bother and turn back.” They turned back.
For three days the Lion protected Imam Hussain’s body (as) and those of his family and companions (as). This was until Imam Ali ibn Hussain al Sajjad (as) miraculously returned to Karbala from prison in Kufa to bury the bodies of the martyrs. He knew whose body belonged to whom and as the Imam only he could bury his father Imam Hussain (as). Angels had descended to help Imam al Sajjad bury the blessed bodies of the Ahlul Bayt (as).
This Lion who loyally and devotedly protected the slaughtered bodies in Karbala is known by the name Sheer Futha, after the honourable Lady who called him to serve Imam Hussain (as).