Part 1- In the battle of Karbala.dealing with Horr

Imam’s caravan arrived in “Sharaf”, there was a spring there, and Imam ordered the youth to take plenty of water. Then the caravan moved in the desert and suddenly one of the companions of Imam proclaimed (Allah-u-Akbar). Imam was so astonished by his action and said: “why did you say Allah-u-Akbar?”- I saw palm trees.A man from the companions of Imam who was familiar with the road, said: there is no palm tree here. Whatever you see here is spear and horses’ ears.

Imam thought a little and said: “I also see it.” Imam knew that they were forefronts of the enemy troops who came to fight with him. Then he said to his companions:” are there any safe shelters for us to face with the enemy from just one side?”

One of his companions, who knew the road, said to Imam:” yeah! The Zuhasam-the name of a mountain- is beside you. If you go to the left side of it, this will be your favorite position.”

Imam’s caravan moved toward it. Not too much away, the army of Hurr ibn YazidRiahi reached them. Ibn Ziad ordered him to move in the island desert and seek for Imam, then arrest him.He had about a thousand horsemen.At noon, they stood against Imam, but the weather was very hot.Imam saw that they are dying of thirst, he was so sorry for them. Imam neglected their intention about his killing and ordered his companions to give water to them and their horses. Imam’s companions gave water to them,then they went toward the horses, and poured water in the containers and dishes three or four times, and tried to give water to all of the horses. Imam was prepared in the trip, because the dishes were enough for giving water to thousand housemen and their horses and this was in addition to other furniture and baggage.However, it showed imam’s dignity that he helped that troop who wanted to fight with him. Historians said:”Ali ibn Ta’anMaharebi” was one of the members of that army, he discussed about imam’s dignity and great morals: I was among those who had been hurt by thirst, Imam Hussein ordered me to put the water containers (Ravie in Arabic language in Hijaz) to sleep but I didn’t catch his words. Because “Ravie” means “camel” in the native language of Hijaz. When he realized that I didn’t understand him, he said:” put the camel to lie. I did so, when I wanted to drink water, it flew from the waterskin. Then he said: Take the waterskin. But I didn’t know what I should do. The Imam came and took it by himself in order to give water to my horse and me. That great temper and esteem didn’t affect that army and none of them were affected by the great ethics. Except Horr whose conscience was affected by that kindness and then he joined Imam and was martyred in his service.

Imam’s lecture:

Imam welcomed the army units and gave a lecture for them, the he explained about his intention which is not fighting, but he received their letters and accepted their invitation. After praising God he said:

O’ people! I excuse dear God and you and I swear to him! I decided to come to you since I received your letters. May God guide us because of you! I you believe it, I will stay with you. So promise me in order to be sure. I you don’t like my stay, I will come back to my land.

They couldn’t answer him, because some of them wrote a letter for his invitation and sent it by his ambassador-Moslem ibn Aghil- in order to take the allegiance… it was the prayer time…Imam ordered his Muezzin-Hejaj ibn Masroogh-to call the rayers at noon. Then Imam said to Horr: do you want to say prayer with your companions?

-yeah! Sure, I want to say prayer with them!

They followed Imam for prayer, then they went to their tents. At the time of afternoon prayer, Horr said prayer with his companions and Imam.

Imam’s great sermon:

After the afternoon’s prayer, Imam gave a marvelous sermon and after praising Allah, he said:

O’ people! If you fear God and know the right, it will satisfy God.We, as the prophet’s household, are more worthy and appropriate to do these acts rather than those who claim for them, as they are governing by oppression. If you don’t like me, and you changed you mind about my arrival, I will come back. Imam called them to follow God’s obedience, right affairs and the Muslim leaders by that sermon.Because, they were more deserving than Umayyad who developed cruelty among them. Then he remarked that he will come back if they changed their minds.Horr ,who was unaware of those letters and the political movements in Kufa,said to Imam: what are those letters that you are talking about them?