to him and would abandon him, for they were the quickest to plunge into turmoil and the least capable of remaining steadfast amid it; and that his father had been superior to him, had commanded greater obedience among the people, and had enjoyed the support of the majority. Despite this, they opposed and abandoned him to an extent known only to Allah, until he began seeking peace after having called for war. By the time he died, his aversion to them had become intense beyond measure. He prayed against them and grew weary of them.

When al-Husayn, may Allah be pleased with him, set out, his cousin Muslim ibn ‘Aqīl was sent to them, and a group followed him. But when ‘Ubayd Allāh ibn Ziyād arrived in Kufa, they sided with Ibn Ziyād, and Muslim ibn ‘Aqīl, Hāni’ ibn ‘Urwah, and others were killed. When news of this reached al-Husayn, he wanted to return, but ‘Umar ibn Sa‘d’s detachment intercepted him and demanded that he surrender himself as their prisoner. He refused and asked that they let him go to his cousin Yazīd and place his hand in his, return whence he had come, or go to one of the frontier regions. In their oppression, injustice, and aggression, they refused to grant his request. Among those most vehement in inciting them against him was Shimr ibn Dhī al-Jawshan. A group from among them joined al-Husayn.

Fighting ensued until Allah honoured al-Husayn and those of his household whom He so favoured with martyrdom—may Allah be pleased with them and grant them His good pleasure. He disgraced those whom He disgraced through their oppression, injustice, and aggression in violating the sanctity of these people and treating their blood as lawful to shed.

“Whomever Allah humiliates, none can honour. Indeed, Allah does whatever He wills.”

This was among Allah’s blessings upon al-Husayn and the honour He bestowed upon him, so that he might attain the ranks of the martyrs, since in the early days of Islam he had not been subjected to the trials