Let us back to the night of grace period. The Army of Yazid is keeping a sharp look out for tomorrow. They believe that things will happen for the best. They are eager to reach the battlefield to be informed of the last decision made by Hussein (a). They are in the state of readiness either to fight or not to fight, both to satisfy Yazid and of course to gain from either situations. Some of them, however, are the wicked in the army including Malek Ebn Nasre Kondi Baddi, Saleh Ebn Vahab Mazani and Sanan Ebn Anas. They are looking for opportunity to gain from plunder so they were inclined more toward fighting and killing Hussein (a) rather than his surrender alive. As she-wolfs in summer, they run applaudingly from one place to another to feed their stomach and escape from famine and starvation. “ they sewed big pounches tied to their clothes to plunder even a skull-cap from a dead or a blood-stained turban in the battlfield” .
In the army of Yazid, although in minority, the wicked people were biding their time as they waited to see the next day. Therefore, in the next morning, the command was issued and the wicked group walked in haste to reach the battlefield to watch the bilateral negotiations and to know what their duty is. At the night of grace period - other than the wicked minority - many guild members, the great men from Kufah and other army members expect the light of morning to find their duty.
It is the last day. Some soldiers in the army of Yazid are protesting the violation of their army. The heads of army –indulged in their fanciful account- have refused to accept the words and trine conditions proposed by Hussein (a) and have insisted on his surrender. Although still standing in the camp of enemy, this small group cannot endure injustice done to the Hussein (a). In fact, they are real Shiites. They have come to compromise rather than fighting. They believe that Yazid will finally persuade Imam (a) to surrender and to swear allegiance to Bani Omayeh. Particularly, they have the previous record of Imam Hassan Mojtaba s (a) allegiance to Bani Omayeh and they think Hussein will do too. Therefore, they, with their heart and soul pay attention to treaties and conditions for peace. They had thought that - as occasion arises – Imam (a) makes peace with enemy. Necessity ascertained Imam s (a) surrender and they justified shutting their eyes on helping Imam (a) by the wrong prediction of Imam s surrender. When the army of Yazid refused to accept the conditions proposed by Hussein (a) to look for his surrender, this group of his lovers in Yazid s army became sure that Imam (a) do not seek the way of peace anymore. They became sure that the war is to happen because Hussein never brings infamy and humiliation of surrender in the liberal household of prophet (s).
Last night, nevertheless, a part of this group who have seen the reputation and life of Hussein (a) and his family at stake, have performed their duty, have grabbed their swords and have gone to the camp of Hussein (a). They thought that “It shall be late tomorrow”, therefore, passed many troubles in the dark of the night and went to Hussein (a). Another part of this group including Hor Ebn Yazid Reyahi had the idea to join Hussein (a) however; the likelihood of a new resolution in the next morning restrained him from going. He was restless and impatient for tomorrow to know Hussein s final decision.
It is the morning of Ashura and sunshine ads to the excitement of the battlefield. Some of people are awake however, handfuls are enlightened and the lights of sun add to their vigilance. Many eyes have jumped out of bed to see a different day so they are looking furtively at their guest from Hejaz (Imam Hussein). Everybody is all ears to listen to what is said, what is proposed and what is to happen. Soldiers show impatience for grouping to go forward and reserve a place to observe how things are to happen. Many groups of soldiers are waiting for the command of their commanders. Among the heads of Kufah, a small number who are not inclined to kill Hussein, including Shabas Ebn Rabaey and Ebn Ashaas expect and wish his surrender. But, another group including Shemr Ebn Zoljoshan avail himself to opportunity to serve Yazid so he and the other commanders with the same mind cause the army to arouse to show off and win fame and credit, maybe.
Sunrise displaced two armies and they stood face to face each other. The heads of yazid s army along with the heads of Kufah have formed a ring around Omar Ebn Saad to take counsel and to inquire about Hussein s final decision as well as their own final duty.
“One day ago in the last hours of the day, they had held the last round of negotiations. Serving as the representative of Imam Hussein (a), Abolfazl E Abass (a) had negotiated with Yazid army and had received a one night of deadline. Both sides had reached an agreement for a bilateral decision either to fight or to compromise rather than a one-sided decision”.
In the last morning, although they have formed a community to consult on the coming hours, the division around Omar Ebn Saad has finalized his sentence to obey Obaydollah Ebn Zeyad and to seek his satisfaction. In any case, they have formed the factions and groupings in the army and they have appointed their related commanders. Troops and columns of soldiers have formed their military deployment at Ebn Saad s Command. The military deployment was in the following order:
Commander - in – chief Omar Ebn Saad Ebn Vaghas
Right column commander Amr Ebn Hejaj Zobaydi
Left column Commander Shemr Ebn Zeljoshan
Mounted troops commander Azrat Ebn Ghays Ahmasi
Infantry troops Commander Shabs Ebn Rabaey
The historians have recorded the deployment of commanders as follow:
Commander of Medina Quarter Abdullah Ebn Zahir Ebn Salim Azdi
Commander of Mazhaj and Asad Quarter Abdurrahman Ebn Abi Sabarat Jaefy
Commander of Rabieh and Kandeh Quarter Ghays Ebn Ashas
Commander of Tamim and Hamadan Quarter Hor Ebn Yazid Reyahi
Everything was ready. Omar Ebn Saad gave the flag to his lord (Obaydollah Ebn Zeyad). All soldiers, commanders and the heads of Kufah such as Mohammad Ebn Omayr and Hejar Ebn Abjar who were not in the list of commanders stood around Omar Ebn Saad. Their distance from the battlefield was not clear. The location of their camp was in the west bank of Euphrates and in the east side of Hussein’s Camp.
To be continued
