"Sons of my sister, you are guaranteed security," he said.

"Sons of my sister, you are guaranteed security," he said. "God curse you and curse the security which you offer without offering itlto the son of the Apostle of God," the young men replied. "Cavalry of God, mount and announce the news of Heaven (i.e. death)," Umar b. Sa'd called out and the people mounted and he approached (the supporters of al-Husayn) after the afternoon (asr) prayer. Meanwhile, al-Husayn, peace be on him, was sitting in front of his tent dozing with his head on his knees.

His sister heard the clamour (from the enemy's ranks). She came up to him and said, "My brother, don't you hear the sounds which are getting nearer?" I have just seen the Apostle of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, in my sleep," said al-Husayn, peace be on him, as he raised his head. "He said to me: 'You are coming to us.' His sister struck at her face and cried out in grief. "You have no (reason) to lament, sister," al-Husayn, peace be on him, told her.

"Be quiet, may God have mercy on you." Then he turned to al-Abbas b. Ali "Brother, the enemy have come, so get ready; but first, al-Abbas, you, yourself, ride out to meet them, to talk to them about what they have (in mind) and what appears (appropriate) to them and to ask about what has brought them (against us)." Al-Abbas went towards them with about twenty horsemen, among whom was Zuhayr b. al-Qayn. "How do you see (the situation)?" he asked.

"What do you want?' "The command of the governor has arrived that we should offer you (the opportunity of) submitting to his authority, otherwise we (must) attack you," they answered. "Do not hurry (to do anything) until I have gone back to Abu Abd Allah (al-Husayn) and told him what you have said, 'Abbas requested.

They stopped (where they were) and told him: "Go to him and inform him, and tell us what he says to you." Al 'Abbas went galloping back to al Husayn, peace be on him, to give him the information. While his companions remained exchanging words with the enemy, trying to test them and dissuade them from fighting against al-Husayn, peace be on him, (al-'Abbas) told him what the enemy had said.

Go back to them," he, peace be on him, said, "if you can, delay them until the morning and (persuade) them to keep from us during the evening. Then, perhaps, we may be able to pray to our Lord during the night to call upon Him and seek His forgiveness.