In this, the thirteenth programme in our series, we look at the events which occurred on the 1st Moharram in the year 61 AH, particularly in relation to Imam Husain (peace be upon him), his family members and his companions, on the eve of their arrival at Karbala, the rendezvous of martyrs.
After the meeting between Imam Husain (PBUH) and the army sent by the tyrannical governor of Iraq, Obaidullah ibn Ziyad, under the command of Horr ar-Riyahi, the Prophet’s grandson asked Horr to allow him to proceed towards Kufa the capital of Iraq. But Horr was determined to carry out his mission and block the Imam’s path to the city of Kufa. Horr had been ordered by Ibn Ziyad not to block the path of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny).
However, on seeing how determined the Imam was to continue with his journey and sensing that the Imam would not back down under any circumstances, Horr suggested a compromise. He said to the Imam: “Now that you are determined to continue your journey, I suggest that you choose a route that will neither lead to Kufa, nor should you go back to Medina, and I will use this opportunity to write a letter to Ibn Ziyad, to soften his heart, and perhaps the Lord will give me the opportunity to avoid any clash with you”.
But Horr also tried to threaten the Imam by saying: “If you take up the sword, and start a battle, your life might be at risk”.
Hearing Horr’s threatening tone, the Imam replied by saying: “Are you trying to scare me of death? Can you do anything over and above killing me!? I respond to you threats by repeating the words of our faithful brother, Aousaa (from the tribe of Aous), when he rushed to the aid of the Prophet of God and participated in the battle. Aousaa told his cousin, who opposed the Prophet, the following words: “I will go towards death, for death does not bring shame or embarrassment for a faithful person who believes in Islam, and strives for the truth. Someone who offers his life in defense of good people and in opposition to criminals and oppressors, someone who offers his life in the way of Allah, someone whose intentions are pure, someone who has accepted that his life will end, someone who is prepared to fight a powerful enemy in a hard battle, will no doubt welcome death. If I remain alive after such a battle, I will have no regrets, and if I die, I will have no worries (in the Hereafter). But for you, my cousin, living such a pitiful and shameful life is enough of a punishment””.
Horr was upset and angry after hearing this forthright and decisive reply from the Imam, and he just stepped aside and parted from the Imam.
Thus Imam Husain (PBUH), according to Horr’s suggestion, chose a route which neither took him to Kufa, and nor back towards Medina. Instead the Imam chose a route which took him further north, to the land of Neinevah. And the Imam’s caravan arrived in the land of Karbala), the following day, 2nd Moharram 61 AH
source : irib
