Retort to Hur’s Threat
In the course of the journey, Hur had been repeatedly threatening Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) that if he waged war, he would surely be killed. Once roused to indignation, Sayyidina Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) replied: “Do you frighten me with death? Has cruelty gone to that extreme that you people intend to kill me? I am at a loss to understand in what terms I shall replay to you. I want to repeat the same words uttered by one of the Companions of the Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) while proceeding on Jihad in reply to a threat by his brother:
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‘I am proceeding. Death does not mean humiliation for a brave person when his intention is genuine and he performs Jihad in the Cause of al-Islam.’”*
Four Kufans’ Arrival
At a place known as ‘Azib-ul-Hijanat, four horsemen were seen coming from Kufa by Tarmah bin ‘Adi who was reciting the following verses:
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“O my she-camel don’t be afraid of my scolding move forward with courage, before the dawn. Carry the pious travelers and go forth for the best voyage until the pious person may meet you. He is honorable, free, and warm-hearted; Allah has brought him for the performance of best deed. May Allah save him forever.”*
On listening to these verses, Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) spoke: “By Allah! I believe Allah will favor us; may I be killed or be a conqueror.” Hur bin Yazid told Hazrat Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh), “these people are from Kufa and they are not your companions, I shall stop them or I shall ask them to go back.” Hazrat Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) reminded him of his promise, “You have already committed yourself to me that you will not fight against me till a reply is received from Ibn Ziyad. Moreover though these people have not come with me yet they are my companions. If you showed any sort of atrocity towards them I shall fight against you.” This made Hur calm and quiet.
Conditions at Kufa
Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) ascertained from persons arrived from Kufa about the situation in the city. They replied at the time of their departure the citizens were being persuaded through bribe. At heart they were for Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) but they would draw their swords against him.
Assassination of the Envoy
They further said, “The messenger, earlier sent by you named Qais bin Masher, had been killed by Ubaidullah bin Ziyad.” This news shocked Hazrat Imam Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) and with tearful eyes he expresed:
“Some of them already died and others are awaiting the death. But stand firmly on the right path and do not change their minds.”
The Imam prayed: “O Allah open the doors of Paradis for them and let us enter the place of Thy blessings and reward and gather together there.”
Tarmah bin ‘Adi’s Offe
At this juncture, one of Imam Husain’s well-wishers, Tarmah bin Adi, said:
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“By Allah! I am making a keen observation, but I see noby who may stand by your side. Death seems to be inevitable for you, if the people who are following rush upon you. I never saw such a big crown anywhere as I witnessed behind Kufa. They all have assembled to fight against one individual—Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh). I advise you not to move an inch further. If you want to go to a place where you would be quite safe from enemies, you may follow me. I shall take you to my mountain Aaja. Within a period of less than ten days, you will find 20,000 armed strong men belonging to a tribe Tai arrayed before you. As long as they are vigilant, no body will have the courage to look at you with an evil intent.”
Hazrat Husain (radiyallahu ‘anh) invoked Allah’s blessing on him for his offer and said that he had a commitment with the men following him and in view of this, he could not go a step forward. He said, “Nobody could predict how the enmity between us and our enemies will end.”*