By God, if you wish, I will rush on him.

By God, if you wish, I will rush on him." "I don't want you to attack him," said 'Umar, "but go to him and ask him what has brought him." As Kathir was approaching him, Abu Thumama al-Saidi saw him and said to al-Husayn, "May God benefit you, Abu Abd Allah, the wickedest man in the land, the one who has shed the most blood and the boldest of them all in attack, is coming towards you." Then (Abu Thumama) stood facing him and said: "Put down your sword." "No, by God," he replied, "I am only a messenger.

If you will listen to me, I will tell you (the message) which I have been sent to bring to you. If you refuse, I will go away." "I will take the hilt of your sword," answered (Abu Thumama), "and you can say what you need to." "No, by God, you will not touch it," he retorted. "Then tell me what you have brought and I will inform him for you. But I will not let you go near him, for you are a charlatan." They both (stood there and) cursed each other. Then (Kathlr) went back to Umar b.

Sad and told him the news (of what had happened). Umar summoned Qurra b. Qays al-Hanzali and said to him: "Shame upon you Qurra, go and meet al-Husayn and ask him what brought him and what he wants." Qurra began to approach him. When al-Husayn, peace be on him, saw him approaching, he asked: "Do you know that man?" "Yes," replied Habib b. Muzahir, "he is from the Hanzala clan of Tamim. He is the son of our sister. I used to know him as a man of sound judgement.

I would not have thought that he would be present at this scene." He came and greeted al-Husayn, peace be on him. Then he informed him of 'Umar b. Sa'd's message. "The people of this town of yours wrote to me that I should come," answered al Husayn, peace be on him. "However, if now you have come to dislike me, then I will leave you." "Shame upon you, Qurra," Habib b. Muzahir said to him, "will you return to those unjust men?

Help this man through whose fathers God will grant you (great) favour." "I will (first) return to my leader with the answer to his message," replied Qurra, "and then I will reflect on my views." He went back to 'Umar b. Sa'd and gave him his report. "I hope that God will spare me from making war on him and fighting against him," said 'Umar and then he wrote to 'Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad: In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.

I am (writing this from) where I have positioned myself, what he wants.