At this display of love and affection Hussain was moved to tears.

At this display of love and affection Hussain was moved to tears. Suppressing his grief he replied: My dear brethren, believe me that my heart is bleeding at this parting, parting from you and from the graves of my beloved grandfather, my dearest mother and my brother, whom I held dearer than my life. Had it not been for the call of duty, I assure you I would have abandoned the idea of leaving Medina. It grieves me most that I cannot for once grant you your wishes when you all love me so dearly.

But Almighty Allah has so willed it and in His divine dispensation ordained that I should undertake this journey. I know what hardships await me; but the Prophet has groomed me from my childhood to face them. Seeing that the hand of destiny was snatching away Hussain from them, they conferred amongst themselves and suggested that, if his decision to go from Medina was final, he should take with him all the able-bodied persons of the town so that they could protect him and his people.

They reminded him of the treachery that was pervading the atmosphere in the adjoining regions. Hussain, obviously moved by their sincere consideration for his safety, thanked them profusely. But he told them that, in accordance with the wishes of the Prophet, he had to fulfill the mission of his fife only with those who were destined to be associated with him in the task confronting him.

When they received this reply to their entreaties, from Hussain, the representative of the Medinites requested Hussain to grant them one wish to leave Ali Akbar behind him in Medina. O Hussain," they said, "we cannot bear the thought of parting with your son Ali Akbar, He is the very image of the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.). Whenever we feel overcome by the remembrance of Muhammad(S.A.W.), we go to Ali Akbar to have a look at him and take comfort.

We shall look after him better than we look after our own sons. We promise that we shall treat his every wish as a command. In fair weather and foul we shall stand by him. Even if we die, we shall command our children as our dying wish to attend to all his comforts and needs. His exemplary life has been an object lesson for our sons who are devoted to him as if he were their brother. These pleading, which had a ring of sincerity and earnestness, rendered Hussain quite speechless for a time.

How could he tell them what was in store for Ali Akbar who they loved and adored so much?