After starting from Madinah on the 28th of Rajab
60 A.H. Imam Hussayn (a.s.) stayed in Makkah till 8th Dhul Hijja, he
(a.s.) decided to perform Umrah and left for Kufa to avoid bloodshed. The news
of the martyrdom of Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel had not reached him yet. On the
way, he met the famous poet Farazdaq, who told the Imam about the situation
in Iraq, “The hearts of the people are with you, but their swords are against
you!”
When Imam Hussayn (a.s.) reached Batn al-Rumma, he sent Quays
bin Mushier with a letter addressed to the people of Kufa about their
invitation to guide them. Quays was intercepted on the way and was brought to Ubaid
Allah bin Ziyad, who ordered him to go on pulpit and curse Imam Hussayn (a.s.).
Contrary to the order, Quays praised Allah and Imam Ali (a.s.) and Sayyida
Fatima (s.a.) and cursed Ubaid Allah bin Ziyad and his father. Ubaid Allah bin
Ziyad ordered that Quays be thrown alive from the top of the palace. Imam
Hussayn (a.s.) continued the journey and met Zuhayr bin al-Qayn on the way.
After talking to Imam Hussayn (a.s.), Zuhayr changed his mind and joined the
Imam (a.s.). At Thalabiyya, the Imam (a.s.) was informed about the ruthless
martyrdom of Hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel and he recited “Inna Lillahe wa Inna
Ilayhe Ra’jeoun” several times.
At the place of Sharaf, a cavalry of 1,000 horsemen
headed by Hurr bin Yazid al-Tamimi intercepted the Imam Hussayn (a.s.)’s
caravan. Seeing that the enemy and their horses were thirsty, the Imam (a.s.)
ordered his men to quench their thirst from their own reserved resources of
water bags, which is the most asset in desert travelling! At the time of
mid-day prayer, after Azan, the Imam addressed the Hurr’s army, “People, I did
not come to you until your letters came to me. In these letters you stated,
“Come to us for we have no Imam.” If you do not like my coming, I will go
back.” There was complete silence. Hurr and his army prayed behind Imam
Husayn (a.s.). After the afternoon prayers, the Imam again addressed the Hurr’s
army saying, “People, if you fear God and recognize the rights of those who
have rights, God will be more satisfied with you. We are the House of Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.)
and as such are more entitled to the authority (Wilaya) of this affair over you
than these pretenders who claim what does not belong to them. They have brought
tyranny and aggression among you. If you refuse or do not know our rights or
changed your views, then I will leave.” Hurr denied any knowledge of
those letters, whereupon Imam ordered to bring in two saddlebags containing the
letters. Hurr said, “We are not among those who wrote the letters. We have been
ordered to be with you and take you to Ubaid Allah bin Ziyad.” The Imam said,
“Death will come to you before that happens.” When the Imam’s caravan started
to go, Hurr stopped his horse. The Imam said, “May God deprive your mother
of you.” Hurr said, “If any one other Arab than you have said this, I would
have replied in the same way but by God there is no way for me to
mention your mother except by best things.” Ultimately, Hurr agreed to go
along with the Imam. On the way, the Imam (a.s.) repeated Kalama Isterja three
times whereupon his son Ali al-Akbar inquired about it. The Imam said that he
saw a horse man appeared to him and said, “Men are travelling and the fates
travelling toward them.” Ali al-Akbar said, “Are we not on the right path then
we have no concern.” The caravan reached Ninawa and next day Umar bin Sa’d
came with 4,000 horsemen. Ibn Ziyad sent letter to Umar bin Sa’d saying,
“Prevent al-Husayn and his followers from getting water. Do not let them taste
a drop of it just as was done with Uthman bin Affan.”
Later, Ibn Ziyad sent Shimer Zil Jawshan to Ibn Ziyad and
pressured him to expedite confrontation with the Imam. On the 9th of
Muharram, Shimer went in front of the Imam’s camp and called out to Hazrat
Abbas, the commander of the Imam’s small army, and offered amnesty to him and
his brothers. It was refused by Hazrat Abbas (a.s.).
Source: The Journey of imam Hussayn (a.s.) by Shaykh
al-Mufid Translator Dr. I.K.A. Howard-Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an
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