Page 258 - Pure Life 20

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262 PURE LIFE, Vol. 6, No.20 (Rajab 1441. Esfand 1398. March 2020)

Hussein ibn Ali, however, had resolved to go ahead

with his plan. He gave a speech to people the day
before his departure and said:
Death is a certainty for mankind, just like the trace
of necklace on the neck of young girls. And I am
enamored of my ancestors like eagerness of Jacob to
Joseph... Everyone, who is going to devote his blood
for our sake and is prepared to meet Allah, must depart
with us...
On their way to Kufa, the small caravan received the
news of the execution of Muslim ibn Aqeel and the
indifference of the people of Kufa. Instead of turning
back, Hussein decided to continue the journey and sent
Qays ibn Musahir Al Saidawi as messenger to talk to
the nobles of Kufa. The messenger was captured in the
vicinity of Kufa but managed to tear the letter to pieces
to hide names of its recipients. Just like Muslim ibn
Aqeel, Qays ibn Musahir Al Saidawi was executed.
Hussein and his followers were two days away from
Kufa when they were intercepted by the vanguard of
Yazidi's army; about 1,000 men led by Hurr ibn Riahy.
Hussein asked the army, "With us or against us?" They
replied: "Of course against you, oh Aba Abd Allah!"
Hussein ibn Ali said: "If you are different from what I
received from your letters and from your messengers
then I will return to where I came from."
Their leader, Hurr, refused Husayn's request to let
him return to Medina. The caravan of Muhammad's
family arrived at Karbala on Muharram 2, 61 AH
(October 2, 680 AD). They were forced to pitch a camp
on the dry, bare land and Hurr stationed his army
nearby.